"Are you sure?" Reese asked. "We'd be able to give more to the case if we got actual sleep."
"I will get actual sleep," Nico snapped. "And I'll save the time it takes to commute. Like I said, you guys head home. I'll see you in a few hours."
They all mumbled goodbyes and Nico locked the room before heading to his office. It was hardly his first all-nighter. He grabbed some blankets from a cabinet and used his arm as a pillow. He set an alarm on his phone to wake him and then he set one so he wouldn't miss his date with Freya. All the more reason to sleep in the office instead.
When his alarm woke him, he felt like he'd been hit by a bus. He ran a brush through his hair and went to the lounge and started a strong pot of coffee.
People were starting to trickle in. Hopefully someone would bring in donuts. Once his cup of coffee was ready, he unlocked the conference room and got to work. He left the door cracked so he could hear if anyone brought any food.
He organized some of the papers and added notes to the white boards. Reese came in with a couple boxes of Vikki's Donuts.
Nico's stomach growled. "You're a lifesaver."
She handed him the top box. "This one's for us. Everyone else can share this one." She disappeared and returned empty handed. "Make any progress?"
"Just what I added to the boards. Thanks for the donuts." Nico bit into one with light blue frosting and matching sprinkles. It tasted of blueberries and cream and melted in his mouth.
"I figured you'd be hungry."
Before long, Wilson and Henderson showed. A few more officers joined the efforts. The morning went by in a flurry of activity. Nico's tired mind raced from his five cups of coffee.
Someone's phone rang. Reese jumped up and ran out of the room. When she came back, she was practically dancing.
"What's going on?" Henderson asked.
"That was one of the girls from the high school. A big name dealer is coming to town tomorrow. Think it's our guy?"
The energy in the room doubled as everyone spoke at once. Plans were made for the next day. More paperwork was brought in. Nico scribbled even more notes on the white boards.
Soon, Nico's stomach rumbled again. The donut box was empty.
Wilson saw him looking in the box. "Maybe we should take a lunch break. Anyone up for Antonio's?"
Nico shook his head. "I've got to stay here." Captain Gardner would have it out for him for taking off for dinner in the middle of a big case, but he wasn't going to let Freya down. He'd promised her dinner, and besides, he really wanted to see her.
"I'll grab some pizza," Reese said.
Everyone gave her some cash and a half an hour later, she returned with a stack of boxes. Nico opened the top one and took a piece, not even stopping to see what the toppings were.
Just as they were finishing the details on the sting, Nico's alarm went off. He would have just enough time to get back to his place before Freya arrived.
"I'll be back in a few hours."
"You've been here since last night," Wilson said. "Come back in the morning. We've got this covered."
Nico shook his head. "I really shouldn't even leave, but this is important, too."
Reese followed him out into the hall. "You going on a date?"
"How'd you know?"
"I could tell. The pretty brunette you were talking to at the party?"
"Again, how'd you know?"
She smiled. "You might be able to hide these things from the guys, but not me. Hold on." Reese ran back into the conference room and came back with her purse. She pulled out a little cylindrical bottle and dabbed some peach colored goop on her finger.
"What are you doing?"
"Hold still." Reese spread the stuff underneath his right eye.
Nico was too surprised to argue.
She spread it around from next to his nose out toward his hairline. Then she repeated the process for the left eye. She stepped back and studied him before rubbing a spot under his right eye again. "Perfect."
"What did you just do?"
"It's just some concealer so you don't look like you pulled an all-nighter."
"I slept."
"Tell that to your face."
"What does that stuff have in it?"
"Just makeup." Reese giggled and then snorted. "It's not like it's going to make you sprout boobs or anything."
"That's reassuring. Thanks, I think." He tried to look at his reflection in the window, but couldn't see much.
"Here." She handed him a tiny mirror.
He actually did look better.
"Get going. You don't want to miss your date."
Twenty-Two
Freya leaned against the wall next to Nico's door and set her bag of fresh fruit down. She really needed to get her own car. Dakota had been able to drop her off, but a half an hour early. She double-checked the number on the door and then pulled out her phone.
A missed text from Alana, asking how she was doing. Freya let her know she was good, and they texted back and forth a few times until she heard footsteps.
Nico walked down the hall, carrying a couple brown paper grocery bags. He was wearing the same thing as he had the night before.
She hurried over and took a bag from him. "Let me help you with that."
"Thanks. Am I late?"
"No, I'm early. Sorry about that."
He smiled. "It's always good to see you. Never apologize for that."
"Have you been at work since last night?"
Nico unlocked the door. "Is it that obvious?"
"Unless you have several outfits that are exactly the same." She picked up her bag of fruit and went inside.
"I should probably keep a change of clothes in the office so it isn't obvious."
Freya laughed. "No worries. So, are you any closer to catching the guy?"
"It would appear so, but he's managed to avoid being caught so far." He closed the door behind them.
"Sounds exciting."
He yawned. "It can be."
"Are you sure you wouldn't rather get some sleep?"
"Definitely not. This is the highlight of my day."
A smile spread across Freya's face. "Me, too." She put the bags on the counter. "I should have asked first, but you do have a blender, don't you?"
"I think so."
She laughed. "You think?"
"I'm pretty sure, but chances are it's still in the box."
"Oh, my. Where do you think it is?"
Nico glanced around the room. "In a cupboard."
"This place needs a woman's touch. It's a good thing I'm here."
He chuckled. "That's why my mom sent the blender and few other items."
"Let me guess, those are still in the original packaging, too?"
"Possibly."
They both laughed. Freya began digging through the cupboards while Nico started the pasta. They joked around until Freya finally found the blender. "This is a nice one. I'm jealous. I hope you thanked your mom for this."
He shrugged. "I'm sure I did."
She pulled it out of the box and washed all the pieces. "This is going to make a great smoothie."
Soon, they sat at his table with the ravioli, steamed asparagus, and the pink smoothies. She waited for him to have a sip.
Nico's eyes lit up. "This is really good. Do I taste a hint of chocolate?"
The corners of her mouth twitched. "I found your protein powder."
"In a smoothie?"
"Of course. You may just get me to make these on a regular basis."
"Good. I can't wait for you to try green juice."
"I wouldn't hold your breath. Try the pasta."
Freya glanced down at the plate. "It looks delicious." Her mouth watered. It had been so long since she'd eaten pasta. She'd hidden from carbs like they'd be the death of her.
She picked up a ravioli with her fork and took a bite. It practically melted in her mouth. Her eyes widened and she met Nico's gaze.
"Good, huh?"
Freya n
odded and swallowed.
"Like I said. Think I'll convert you?"
"Maybe. I suppose a little now and again won't hurt anything."
He shook his head. "Definitely not. You have nothing to worry about."
"Thanks." But she wondered how long it would take to get her manager's words out of her head. She was already planning on working out longer than usual after dinner.
They talked and laughed through dinner. As they were washing dishes, Nico's phone rang.
"Sorry. I have to take this." He went into the living room. "Hey, Captain… Yes, I'm going to be right down. Just having dinner… I was there since last night… Promotion? What promotion? Lieutenant Freeman isn't—"
Freya felt bad for listening. She turned on the faucet and scrubbed a pan. Then all the pieces of the blender.
Nico came over and put his hands on her shoulders. "I'm so sorry."
She turned off the water. "For what?"
"I'm going to have to eat and run."
Freya turned around and kissed his cheek. "I understand. You have a murderer to catch."
He beamed. "I can't believe how understanding you are."
"And why wouldn't I be? You have an important job."
He kissed her nose.
"Why don't you change, and I'll finish up in here?"
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. Go. I don't want people making fun of you for wearing the same thing three days in a row."
Nico glanced down. "Sorry for wearing the same thing two dates in a row."
She pushed him out of the kitchen.
A few minutes later, a shower sounded. Freya put the last dish on the drying rack and wiped down the counters. By the time she had the kitchen sparkling, Nico came out, wearing a white shirt and dark blue jeans. His hair was slicked back and glistened from being damp. He had dark circles under his eyes that she couldn't recall seeing earlier.
Freya wrapped her arms around him and breathed in deeply. He smelled of soap, toothpaste, and hair gel. She leaned her head against his. She could definitely get used to this.
His arms went around her and he held her for a moment before speaking. "I wish I could stay here with you. Watch a movie or something."
"Me, too, but we'll see each other soon. Would you mind dropping me off at Dakota's again?"
"Anything for a few extra minutes with you." He stepped back and took her hand, lacing his fingers through hers. She loved the feel of her hand in his.
All too soon, he was walking her up to Dakota's door. Nico cupped her chin and pressed his mouth against hers. "Thanks for a wonderful meal. I really enjoyed it." The skin around his eyes crinkled as he smiled. "I may even start having smoothies on a regular basis."
"Glad to hear it. I left some fruit in your fridge."
He laughed. "Why am I not surprised?"
"I don't want to hear about it going to waste."
"It won't."
Freya took in his eyes. They seemed especially green under the porch light. She wished she could bring him in and spend more time with him.
His phone rang and he frowned. "I'd better get going."
She nodded. "Give me a call when you have the chance. If you just need a break from the case, I'll be happy to get your mind off it for a few minutes."
He took her hand and kissed the back of it. "Until next time." He spun around and headed back to his car.
"I'll be waiting." She watched him drive away before going inside. The house was quiet, but Dakota had several appointments with brides that evening, so Freya probably had the house to herself for a while.
She went into the workout room and found a cardio DVD that had three forty-minute workouts. Freya did all of them, only pausing to drink lemon water between each one. After entering in the information into her app, she was convinced she'd burned off most of what she'd eaten that night.
When she came out, she heard popcorn popping in the kitchen.
"Hi, there." Dakota's eyes lit up. "Want to join me for some popcorn?"
Freya paused. She'd just worked off most of dinner, did she really want to ruin it by eating a snack?
"Oh, come on. You know you want the buttery goodness."
That answered that. Freya shook her head. "Thanks, but no thanks. I should get some sleep if I'm going to do that shoot for your website tomorrow."
"You're probably right. Marcel said it could take all day."
"They often do."
Dakota poured some popcorn into a bowl and then added melted butter and salt.
Freya's mouth watered, but she ignored it.
"Did you have fun on your date?"
A smile spread across Freya's face. "The best."
"Oh, good. Tell me all about it."
Freya told her about the meal. "You know, he feels really bad about Morgan."
"I know. He keeps offering to pay damages. Logan says he told him down at the station, too. But I can't take his money. He didn't do anything."
Freya sighed. "He's really a good guy."
"Definitely a keeper. Tell him that Logan sent Morgan a letter to her address in New York. He said he's going to get the money from her one way or another."
"It pays to have an attorney for a brother."
"And a tattoo artist for a cousin."
Freya arched a brow. "You getting a tattoo?"
She shrugged. "Maybe. I'm thinking of heading down to Kittle Falls soon. Want to go with me?"
"I'm not getting a tattoo, but it might be nice to see everyone. It's been a long time."
"Have you met any of your cousin's wives?"
"Yes. I flew out for a couple of the weddings, remember?"
"Oh, that's right. Jake's and Brayden's, right?"
Freya nodded and thought back to her days of playing dolls with Sophia, and then later makeup. "I still miss Sophia."
Dakota frowned. "Me, too. I thought time would help, but it still hurts." She put her hand over her heart.
"Nope, time doesn't help." Freya would never forget going to her cousin's funeral. It had actually been part of her inspiration to go after modeling. She realized how short life could be and that tomorrow wasn't necessarily guaranteed. College could wait—she could go back anytime. Modeling was for the young—at least the modeling she wanted to do.
"Let me know if you want to go to Kittle Falls with me." Dakota's voice brought Freya back to the present.
"I think I would. When are you going?"
Dakota pulled out her phone and scrolled through the screen. She sighed. "As soon as I can hire another assistant. We're booked solid, and I can't leave all this with my staff."
"Okay, let me know. Sounds like Nico's going to be busy with work for a while, so I should be free."
Dakota danced in her seat. "I'm going to see what I can swing. You'll be ready tomorrow by eight?"
"You got it, boss." Freya saluted her sister.
She chuckled.
Freya blew her a kiss and then went up to her room.
When Freya woke up the next morning, she remembered it was Shale's first day of work. She turned off the alarm on her phone and went to her texting conversation with her twin.
Good luck today! She added a bunch of excited and celebrating smileys for an added punch of excitement.
Thx. I have a good feeling.
Me, too! You're going to rock it.
We'll see.
How long's your shift?
Typical 24hrs.
Ouch. Well, call me when you get a chance.
K. Thx Freya.
Love you!
U2.
Freya climbed out of bed and grabbed some clothes, excited to be working with her sister for the day. With Dakota, there were bound to be plenty of food breaks and time for fun.
Twenty-Three
Freya slid off the wedding dress and set it on the couch. It had been a long photo shoot, but it had also been the most fun she'd at one in a long time.
A knock sounded on the door followed by Dakota's voice. "Wear t
he dress with one strap, okay?"
And the day wasn't over.
"Sure," Freya called.
"Thanks, sis. I've got a meeting, but you'll be fine with Marcel, right?"
"Yeah, he's great. Don't worry about us."
"You're a lifesaver, did I mention that?"
"A time or two hundred."
Dakota laughed. "After this round, we'll call it a day. I'm starving."
"Sounds good."
Freya went over to the rack of dresses and found the one with one strap. She wasn't used to have an entire dressing room to herself, but it was kind of nice.
Another knock. "You ready?" came Marcel's voice.
"Give me a minute."
"No problem. Let me know if I can help."
Freya slid on the dress, but had a hard time with the zipper. She tugged and pulled, but it wouldn't go more than halfway. "Help, please!"
The door opened and the finely dressed photographer hurried in. "So gorgeous."
"Zipper, please." Freya's arm was contorted behind her back, and if she let go, she was sure the entire thing would slide to the floor. Not that she wasn't used to people seeing her dress and undress, but she was sure that nobody in The Chateau was used to it.
Marcel hurried over to her and pulled the zipper up with ease. Then he walked around and inspected her. "You are such a beauty, and such a joy to work with."
"You've been great yourself. I appreciate the respect."
"Of course. Are you ready? We've got one last room, and then it sounds like we're done."
"Let's get to it."
She followed him into the hall. He turned left, and then they stopped in front of the actual ceremony room.
Marcel turned to her. "I'm going to get a few of you coming in. None walking down the aisle since there's no audience. We'll get creative on the stage. Maybe have you stand near the unity candle."
"You're the boss."
"Actually, your sister is." He laughed. "But if you have any ideas, just pose. We'll go with it."
"Okay."
He went inside and closed the door behind him. "Ready," he called a minute later.
She opened the door and stepped inside. Though no one was inside other than Marcel with his camera, it was an odd feeling to step in there wearing a wedding dress.
Freya smiled and posed, offering an array of facial expressions as she entered.
Bayside Wishes Page 15
