"Are you two together?" Kate sighed once more. It was a single question they had been asked numerous times in various ways.
Are you together?
Are you two dating?
Are you a couple?
Over and over they were questioned. And every time he would always say "Not yet" and give that smile like he had a plan. A plan for what Kate still didn't understand. It could have been a plan for them. Or possibly a plan for Nikki and Rook.
Nikki and Rook.
Their Alter-egos.
She knew he wrote them to mirror their relationship and ignoring those few steamy pages in Heat Wave, he had done a decent job. She knew that anyone who knew of their partnership knew that Nikki and Rook were supposed to be them. After a while she gave up defending that nothing had happened between them. She just let them think what they wanted. They would with or without her protests anyway.
Shaking her head, she caught a glimpse of the man beside her. He was currently taking in the details of the hallway they were traveling down seeming to be very interested in the decor. They were going to question a potential suspect. Opening the doors to the little shop, Kate smiled when she heard his sharp intake. He was shocked just like she planned. For inside were aisles of candy as far as one could see.
Walking to the back of the shop, Kate flashed her badge and waited for Mr. Van Pelt to enter. She watched her partner move from one shelf to the next, reading labels, gathering products. She had never seen him this excited. A man in his late 40s came walking out.
"Can I help you?" He asked in a guarded tone. Kate smiled and listed off the questions she had. Mr. Van Pelt nodded and gave answers to everything she asked. Before she turned to leave, he questioned her.
"Are you two together?" He pointed between her and the grown man with his arms full of candy.
Kate looked at him and laughed silently to herself. A small smile spread across her face. "Yes."