Joe wished Liam had been able to ride with him, but their supervisor wanted to hear from Liam right away regarding his disappearance and any information he might have on the men they arrested. Liam was reluctant to leave him, but Joe assured him he’d be fine.
They dropped Joe off at the café after insisting he call the number on the card he was given if he thought of anything else or needed anything at all. Joe stood in the middle of his little shop, splintered chairs and upturned tables all around. Broken glass on the floor from the picture frames. He just didn’t have the energy to do anything about it tonight. He turned off the lights and went upstairs, showered, and got into bed. He would have thought maybe he’d return home to police cars and questioning, but there was no one. It was as if nothing happened.
Joe lay in his big bed all alone and stared at his ceiling. It was so quiet. Liam was probably still up debriefing. What would he tell his superiors about the time he’d spent here? Joe rolled onto his side, his heart aching. Liam was from a completely different world. He spent his time chasing down criminals, investigating, traveling all over the country. He’d never be happy here with Joe, in his tiny little apartment above a pie shop.
That night Joe barely slept. He’d tossed and turned, trying to come to grips with everything that had happened. The next morning when he came downstairs, he thought he must still be dreaming. The place was spotless. Everything had been swept, cleaned up, fixed, replaced, and gleamed good as new. Joe had to admit, he was impressed. Having a G-Man for a boyfriend might have some perks.
If only.
Joe spent the rest of the morning assuring Bea, Donnie, and Elsie that he was all right.
“Wow, I can’t believe Tom—I mean, Liam—is a Fed! How cool is that!” Donnie was still in awe, had been since Joe had told them what happened last night. Of course he left out all the shooting. They’d fuss over him, and he didn’t want them worrying. At least they were safe now.
“I knew that boy was a hero,” Bea proclaimed, and Joe almost spit out his coffee.
“You thought he was an assassin sent to bump me off!”
Bea waved a hand in dismissal. “I think the excitement has gotten to you.”
The bell above the shop door jingled. Joe turned to greet his customer and his stomach filled with butterflies. Liam stood there, dressed in a charcoal-gray suit, white button-down shirt, and a black tie. He looked more handsome than ever. It took Joe a second to snap himself out of it.
“Look at you, all respectable,” Joe teased. He reached out to straighten Liam’s collar, though there wasn’t really anything to straighten out. It was silly, to have missed the man so terribly after one night. “You look good.”
“Thanks,” Liam replied with a shy smile. He motioned to one of the empty booths near the back of the café, and Joe followed him, taking a seat across from him. “I was on my way to the New York office and wanted to stop by to say thank you for everything you’ve done for me. Because of you, we’re moving in on the cartel and everyone on their payroll.”
“Me?” Joe shook his head. “That was all you. You put your life on the line to get that intel. You were almost killed.”
“If you hadn’t taken me in, put your faith in a man you didn’t even know, I would have been. Those detectives who came by looking for me were working for the cartel. I’ve been collecting intel on those men for months, hoping they would lead me to more dirty officials. They were the ones who made me, and spread the word after I took off. If you’d trusted them, handed me over, they would have killed me, or one of their corrupt buddies would have. So, thank you.” Liam placed his hand over Joe’s. “There’s so much I want to say, Joe, but I have some things I need to do first. The government waits for no man. I’ll come by as soon as I can. I promise.”
“I understand.” Joe meant it. He had no idea how these things worked, but he knew enough to know what Liam and his team had accomplished, what they were in the middle of, was no small feat, and the aftermath would keep them busy for some time. As much as it broke Joe’s heart, he’d known this day would come. Even so, he wasn’t prepared. All he could do was his best, try and be brave.
“Joe.” Liam squeezed his hand. “I
will
be back. I promise. I’m not walking away from us.”
Joe blinked at him. “Us?”
The bell jingled and a familiar voice called Joe’s name, making him flinch. Dammit, of all the rotten timing. Did the guy not have anything better to do than harass him? Blake appeared beside their table, his upturned lip aimed at them. He looked Liam over with obvious disdain.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Joe asked, unable to believe the guy had come back.
“I’ve come to give you a second chance. Cater my event and I won’t press charges against you and your guard dog.”
Joe stood to face Blake. He was done shrinking away from his past. Blake had taken enough away from him. Joe wasn’t about to go down without a fight, not this time. “Get the hell out.”
Blake shoved his hands into his pockets and took a look around the café. “You know, it would be a shame if a city inspector came and found this place infested with roaches. He’d have to shut you down.”
“What?” Did the guy have no shame? Why wasn’t he surprised Blake would sink so low?
Blake’s toothy grin made Joe want to punch him. “You know better than to cross me, Joe. Just give me what I want and everyone walks away happy.”
Before Joe could tell him what he could do with his threat, Liam was on his feet, looking imposing and dangerous. Should Joe feel guilty Blake recoiled at Liam’s presence? Who was he kidding? Blake deserved whatever Liam gave him.
Liam rounded his shoulders, his expansive chest as impressive as his menacing scowl. “Leave right now, or I’ll have you arrested for conspiracy to bribe a public official.”
Blake laughed. “You think because you put on a cheap suit, the police are going to believe
you
?”
“Oh, I think they might.” Liam smiled pleasantly and reached into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. He flipped open a wallet and presented his badge. “I don’t believe we’ve been properly introduced. Agent Liam Baker. FBI.”
Blake’s jaw nearly became unhinged. He stared at the badge before moving his gaze to Liam. “That has to be fake.”
Liam shrugged. “Maybe. And maybe after I arrest you, the federal government will take a nice long look at your finances, and your dad’s. Go over everything with a fine-tooth comb. We’ll look into every account, IRA, investment, property, transaction, transfer, and deduction.” Liam’s smile widened. “I hope you’ve kept your receipts.”
Blake swallowed hard. “I don’t need to put up with this. I’m taking my business elsewhere.”
“You do that.” Liam slapped a hand on Blake’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze. He leaned in to murmur quietly, but Joe heard every word. “If you, your father, or any of your associates come near Joe, his friends, or this shop, I’ll know, and I will bury you so deep you’ll wish you’d never laid eyes on him. Understood?”
Blake nodded fervently.
“Good. Now get the hell out.”
Joe had no idea Blake could move that fast. The man all but fell over his own feet to flee from the place.
“I don’t think he’ll be bothering you anymore.”
“Wow, that was… impressive,” Joe admitted.
Liam chuckled. “I have my moments.” He checked his watch and grimaced. “I have to go, but please, wait for me?”
Joe’s heart swelled and he couldn’t help his dopey grin. “Okay.”
Liam reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card and pen. He turned the card over and jotted something down. “Here, my personal cell phone number.” He handed the card to Joe, who took it, smiled at Liam’s terrible handwriting, and placed it in his back pocket. The shop was full, and Joe could tell some of his nosy customers were watching, but his heart fluttered when Liam kissed his lips. It was brief, but wonderfully sweet.
With a wink and a wave to Bea and the kids behind the counter, Liam was off. Joe stood there for a moment watching as Liam climbed into a black Suburban. When it pulled away from the curb, Joe went back into the kitchen. He knew he’d get accosted and asked a billion questions, and he really didn’t need to discuss his maybe love life out in the shop.
“So?” Bea asked. “Is he staying?”
“Staying?” Joe shrugged. “I don’t think that’s going to happen, Bea. I don’t even know where he lives. Virginia, I think. He promised he’d be back as soon as he can to talk about us. Even if he wants to continue a relationship, how is that supposed to work with him in Virginia and me here?”
Bea walked over to him and cupped his face. “Sweetheart, it’ll work out, you’ll see. He’s a good man, Joe. You can’t let him slip through your fingers. Fight for him, for what you have. That man is crazy about you.”
“He’s a federal agent, Bea.”
“And?”
“And he’s… amazing.”
Bea planted her hands on her hips, her expression no-nonsense. “So are you, Joe Applin. You are not going to run away from this.” She sighed and put her hand to his cheek. “Honey, I have never seen you as happy as you’ve been while he was here. Take a chance, Joe. If there was ever a time to risk something, now is the time. He cares about you. You can make this work. The two of you, you need each other.” She gave his cheek a kiss and left him to his own thoughts. He looked around the kitchen at the spotless stainless-steel table, workstation, and appliances. The spice rack caught his eye, and he walked over, smiling at how everything was in alphabetical order with neat little labels. Underneath it was the large sugar container, and Joe’s heart swelled. How had he not noticed it before?
The container was labeled, like everything else, but instead of saying sugar, it said “Joe,” and next to his name a little heart had been drawn in permanent marker. Joe chuckled. That goofball. Bea was right. He had to take a chance. Liam had asked Joe to wait for him, and that’s what he would do. If it meant a chance with him, then Joe would do what he could. Joe needed Liam, and he was pretty certain Liam needed him too. They could make this work. He had to have faith in Liam, and although he wasn’t accustomed to it, he had to have faith in himself.
THIS
was all so surreal.
Joe sat in his garden, the sounds of the city almost muffled. He wasn’t paying attention, too lost in thought. Bea had shooed him away from his own shop, demanding he take a break. She’d even threatened to lock him out if he didn’t take some time off. From sunup to sundown, Joe was on his feet working away, keeping himself busy until he was too exhausted at the end of the night to do more than shower and go to bed.
Liam called every day at odd hours, apologizing for the not being able to come down. A little niggling part of Joe thought Liam was having second thoughts about them. They hadn’t even discussed them. Liam felt guilty and Joe tried his best to assure him that he understood. The FBI was making arrests daily, rounding up members of the cartel, thanks to the intel Liam had gotten. Sometimes Liam would call in the middle of the night while he was sitting in a surveillance van. Joe didn’t mind the lateness. He was grateful to hear Liam’s voice.
Was this what it would be like if they were together? Liam off somewhere, unable to give him details of where he’d be or what he’d be doing, calling day and night? It wasn’t like the FBI kept normal office hours. Having Liam away was hard, but getting to hear his voice raised Joe’s spirits like nothing else. Somehow it made the distance bearable. It was funny, how at first Joe feared Liam being away would show the cracks in a relationship that perhaps hadn’t been there to begin with, but the longer Liam was away, the more Joe thought about him.
Bea, Donnie, and Elsie were also great at keeping his spirits up, getting him excited about revamping the shop. It was time for a new look. Nothing crazy, but something a little more modern with a small bakery like he’d always wanted. It was time to stop dreaming about what he wanted in his life and do something about it. They’d all put their heads together and browsed several design concepts and found a color combination Joe loved: rich red walls and decor, deep brown furniture, and apple-green accents. Considering the name of the shop and his surname, it would be silly not to go with an apple theme. Work would start next week, and Joe was looking forward to it.
“Hey, Joe!”
Joe smiled and stood. “Hey, Jules.” He pulled her into an embrace and hugged her tight. “It’s so good to see you.”
“I’m so sorry I haven’t been by. I’ve been rushed off my feet. Things have been kind of crazy.”
Oh, you have no idea.
Joe sat with Jules, her red curls bouncing along with her in excitement. “I got a new job!” she said.
“That’s fantastic, Jules!” Joe pulled her in for another hug. He was excited for her. Jules was such a hard worker, and she cared so much for those she helped. He was glad to see her lit up with joy. Any hospital or clinic would be lucky to have her. “I’m so happy for you. You deserve it.”
“Thank you. It’s down at NYC Presbyterian Hospital. I haven’t stopped since.” She looked around. “How’s Tom? I kept meaning to call, but every time I picked up the phone someone needed something. They’ve been short on staff these last few weeks. So where’s Tom?”
“He’s, um, not here,” Joe said, unable to help the disappointment in his voice.
Jules’s smile fell away. “What happened, Joe?”
“How long do you have?” Joe muttered. She leaned over and patted his hand.
“As long as it takes. Tell me. What happened?”
Joe took a deep breath and proceeded to tell Jules everything that had happened since she was last in, from the break-in to the fake Feds, the fights, the shoot-outs, the kidnapping, all the way up until Tom’s departure. “Oh, and his name’s Liam. Liam Baker.”
Jules stared at him. She was so still Joe was afraid he might have broken her.
“Jules?”
“Wow. I don’t even know how to respond to that. My God, Joe. I’m away for a few weeks and you get mixed up in some kind of federal sting operation? Are you making up for lost time? That’s crazy!”