Love & Loyalty by Tere Michaels Read Free Book Online

won't come to dinner?” His partner clearly didn't believe the “going out with someone” story.
    “I told you I have plans.” Jim rearranged his desk and contemplated dusting his phone. He checked the clock and willed Terry out the door as quickly as possible.
    “Real plans or fake plans?”
    “Real plans.” And hand to God, like the screenwriter had it all planned, Jim's cell phone buzzed at the same moment that Fredericks from second shift walked over and announced Jim had a visitor.
    “They are real plans!” Terry said, looking smug and surprised at once.
    “Go home. Please,” Jim said a little desperately, answering his cell phone with a twist of his chair—like if he didn't look at Terry, he couldn't hear him.
    Of course all he heard was Terry's briefcase thumping back on the desk and his partner settling in.
    God.
    “Jim Shea,” Jim barked, and the pause on the other end told him it was, indeed, the screenwriter.
    “Uh, Griffin Drake; I'm downstairs…”
    “Right, I'll be down in a second.” Jim used his free hand to quickly shut down his computer and collect his belongings, his face heated with embarrassment as both Terry and Fredericks watched. “Just wait for me at the desk.”

    Love & Loyalty
    39

    “Right.” The guy sounded a little nervous and surely regretting his trek to Seattle for dinner.
    Jim promised himself he'd be on his best behavior all night if he could just get out of this building without an embarrassing scene.
    He hung up and stood in one fast motion, grabbing his coat as he dodged Terry's amused look.
    “Hey, I'll walk out with you,” he said, and Jim glared.
    “You're shameless.”
    “I'm curious .” Terry fell into step with him as they left the squad room.
    “It's not a date. It's that screenwriter. We're just going to talk about the movie.”
    “On your birthday.”
    “He doesn't know that.” Jim hit the Lobby button.
    “So he just happened to call today, and you said yes because you actually had no real plans for your birthday.” Terry shook his head. “Really, Jim, we have to do something about your social life.”
    “I don't want a social life.” The doors slid open and Jim tensed, glancing around for Griffin Drake—who was at the desk and looking exactly like a guy regretting making plans.
    “Mr. Drake?” he called, striding away from Terry with a terse “night.” He was sure he'd get the business tomorrow, but for now he just wanted to whisk this guy away from here.
    “Detective Shea,” Griffin Drake said, extending his hand warily. “I hope I'm not too early.”
    “No, no, perfect timing; let's go. I know a restaurant not too far from here,” Jim rambled, ushering Mr. Drake toward the door.
    “Night, Jim!” Terry called cheerfully as they headed for the door, just nearing their escape when he called out an additional “happy birthday!” 40
    Tere Michaels

    Jim winced. Busted.
    They hit the cool night air, and Griffin turned to Jim, surprise on his face.
    “It's your birthday? You should have told me, I would have never imposed myself—”
    Jim cut him off, pulling his keys out of his pocket and hitting the button; his truck answered with a confirming beep as they got closer.
    “Listen, I'll be straight with you. I didn't have any plans. You can go ahead and put that into your movie—workaholic detective does not have plans on his birthday,” he said, opening the passenger-side door. He let his eyes linger on the younger man's face—and felt the unfortunate sympathy scalding. “That's a good character, right?”
    “It's a cliché—I'm trying to get away from those,” Griffin said, smiling brightly. “And technically, you have plans on your birthday. We're having dinner.”
    “Business…”
    “Dude, I'm from Hollywood—I know how to combine business and pleasure perfectly.”
    Jim tried to pretend his blush was because of a sudden fever and not the feeling he was being charmed.

    * * * * *
Jim made a pass at a diner he liked