“Don’t.” Alex checked his own watch. “I’m about to head out and pick up Mal before this little beauty starts hollering for her dinner.” He looked at Yael. “I doubt there’ll be anything for us to do until tomorrow morning so you may as well get some rest. And Ashley and I can handle Pierce’s electronics tomorrow if you guys have plans for the weekend.”

Laura rolled her eyes. “None of us would leave the boss to do all the work and you know it.”

“I’m not busy,” said Tim. He was quiet and shy. Yael had the feeling he had a crush on Laura but figured the other woman was way out of his league.

“I don’t mind doing the work myself,” Alex insisted.

“And that’s why we don’t mind helping,” Yael told him with a grin.

“I’m down here now and, unless my date decides to whisk me off to Paris for dinner, I’ll be at task force headquarters in the morning.” Laura checked her nails.

Alex put Georgina on his shoulder. “Last date I had with Mal was before this one was born—unless you count having to attend the senator’s black tie Christmas thing.” He shuddered.

Laura pointed her finger at him. “Do the Paris thing. You have the company jet.”

Alex smiled. “Mal’s not into grand gestures.”

Laura snorted. “Then maybe she needs to date better men.”

“Touché.” Alex smiled. “But there isn’t a man alive worthy of Mallory Rooney.”

Tears pricked Yael’s eyes. “Take her on a date where you first met.”

He grimaced. “Ironically that would be the FBI’s Charlotte Field Office.”

“Definitely not there.” Laura sat forward. “Where was your first proper date?”

He pulled another face. “DC.” Georgina started to cry and Alex snuggled her into his neck and made her giggle by blowing raspberries. Then he stood and maneuvered her nonstop-action arms and legs into her onesie coat and strapped her wiggling form into her car seat.

“There’s always the Caribbean,” Laura told him sagely. “Or NYC. Dinner and a show?”

“Maybe when I know for sure this is over.” He lifted Georgina’s car seat easily and gave them all an easy grin.

As soon as he left, Laura raised her brows and released a massive sigh. “Why aren’t there more Alex Parkers to go around?”

Yael smiled. The guy was a dream but so was…she snapped out of her reverie. She turned to her friend. “You know, if you do want to stay with me overnight it’s okay.”

“No way.” Laura raised her hands. “I already booked into a nice hotel. I am not getting in the way of your love life. This is the first time you’ve even thought about going on a date since I met you.”