“What I was thinking is that these things always appear to be your fault because your job is twenty-four-seven, and mine isn’t as much, and because you have this big amazing family, and I don’t. So it’s not really fair for me to blame you when your stuff messes up our stuff.”

Sighing, she dropped her head onto his shoulder. “It’s fair. I blame me too. I know you may not believe it, but I was looking forward to this week as much as you were.”

“I believe it, and I’ll let you make it up to me as soon as you’re able to.”

“I’ve got something I need to talk to you about.”

His body stiffened, which caused him to gasp in pain. “What?”

“Let’s talk about it later, when we’re alone.”

“We’re alone right now.”

“Not alone enough.”

“Sam...”

“Nick...”

“Fine. Have it your way. I don’t know why any of us ever try to get you to do anything other than exactly what you want to do.”

The comment made her laugh—hard. “You’re finally starting to get a clue. Took you long enough.”

“Kiss me.”

“Right here?”

“Right here. Right now.”

Sam turned toward him and laid her hand on his face, taking a moment to appreciate his absolute adorableness. And yes, that was a word, and yes, it totally suited him. “I love you so much, and I hate when we fight.”

He turned his face into her hand to kiss her palm. “I hate it too.”

Sam leaned in to kiss him, and as their lips connected, she reveled in the overwhelming rightness she always felt with him. They might often infuriate each other, but they also completed and complemented each other in more ways than she could count.

“I’m going in to see Brooke and Tracy, and then I could use a ride home. Everyone is coming at ten to go over the case.”

“So I heard. Is your friend Hill included in everyone?”

“He was a huge help to me today. He cut through miles of red tape to get me into Brooke’s dorm room and to get the footage of the pickup last night.”

“So that’s a yes?”

“That’s a yes.”

She felt rather than saw him pull back from her at that news. He had such a blind spot where Hill was concerned. “You’ve got nothing to worry about there. I’ve told you that before. I just spent five hours alone with him and never once felt the slightest inkling of what I’ve felt since I sat down next to you.”

“That’s nice to hear, but let me ask you this. Say the shoe happened to be on the other foot, and a woman I work closely with made it clear she’d be all over me if you were out of the picture. How would you like that?”