The Grendel Affair ( SPI Files #1)

The Grendel Affair ( SPI Files #1) Page 52

His smile was warm. “Thanks, partner.”

Impulsively, I reached down and took his hand. He didn’t say anything else and neither did I. We also hadn’t said anything about the New Year’s Eve kiss, and that was fine with me, at least for now. Yeah, after my heart rate had returned to normal, I’d been a little embarrassed; okay, a lot embarrassed. I was sure it’d come up when the time was right—or the most awkward. I told myself that what had happened had happened, and there was no taking it back, not that I wanted to. It’d also been extremely nice, and I wouldn’t be opposed to it happening again—under circumstances that didn’t involve multiple near-death experiences.

We both tensed at the sound of heavy boot steps running toward the break room.

Calvin stuck his head around the corner. “We got a call.”

Ian stood. I didn’t know what I was supposed to do. I wasn’t a commando.

Calvin grinned and jerked his head at Ian, but spoke to me. “My man here says you’re ready for some on-the-job training.”

I froze. “On the job?”

Ian smiled. “Training.”

“We got report of a problem up at the Cloisters. Think I heard Roy say something about gargoyles. Fortunately, the museum’s closed today, so we don’t have to worry too much about being quiet.”

I smiled, slow and probably dangerous looking. Ian didn’t look like he minded.

I grabbed a handful of cookies. “Let’s go.”