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“It’s been a long day” She rubbed a hand over her neck “I’m sorry you have to stay, Ty This must be so tedious for you”

It was the first tied as much to him

“It’s my job”

“Still, itwoman around all day, every day”

“You’re not boring”

“My life is And you’re what? An ex-soldier? You can’t tellstuff”

“Marine,” he muttered “Ex-marine”

She sighed, a long, strained inhalation, followed by a blast of air out of her mouth The exhalation disturbed an errant curl on her forehead, and Ty clasped his hands behind his back in an effort to curb the temptation to reach out and tuck that curl behind her ear

“I’ some requisition for it first thing in theIt may take a few hours Why don’t you call Chance?”

He could call Chance, sure, but Ty figured if Vicki could gut out another few hours, then he could damned well stay by her side while she did so

“Nah, I’ll be fine Do you…uh…do you need any help?”

She scrubbed her hands over her face, displacing her glasses in the process When she looked at him, they were askew, and the owlish expression on her face nearly ht himself in time and kept his expression neutral

She h because she offered hi of her perfectly even, pearly whites

He was unable to resist that sweet gesture and reluctantly allowed his lips to curl at the corners

Her slued to his lips “Jeez, Ty You’re so pretty when you smile You should do it more often”

Her cheeky words surprised a chuckle out of him, but he ruthlessly tamped it down

“Uh-uh, too late,” she said, with a gleeful giggle “You laughed I win!”

“I didn’t realize ere co What did you win?”

“A laugh from you And a smile before that”

“Paltry prizes,” hehow self-conscious her words made him feel He shook his head and steered the aard conversation back on track “Well? Do you need any help?”