Chapter 28

"He does, doesn't he?" Jess agreed. "And the front is not bad either."

"Jess!" Nicole squealed. "No fair! I can't tell you how long it's been since I've had a date."

"That's because you lock yourself in your offices and only come out to sleep."

"Not true. I come out on Sunday afternoons for Bears games."

"Yeah, okay. I'll give you that."

"And I found this really cute bar. You'd love it."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. And get this. It's owned by Firefighters."

"Cool."

"We'll have to go sometime. You'll love it."

"Ok. Someday. Just concentrate on getting better right now."

Jess bit her lip. Going bar hopping with Nicole on a Sunday afternoon during football season was not her idea of a good time. A pizza and a six pack on the couch with Hank was more her speed. She found it odd that since Hank came into her life, she didn't miss going out and getting drunk during a televised sporting event. She didn't miss dating either. Hank had totally spoiled her.

"I will. And you need to get out of here and go home to that husband of yours."

"Um, Nicole. We don't live together."

"WHAT? Shut The Front Door!"

"We don't. He's in charge of the Intelligence Unit. He has a lot of enemies out there. So it's for my protection. Nobody but you knew we were dating. And nobody but you knew we got married. That is, until Jeremy came in and raised Royal Hell."

"I'm sorry for that."

"Don't be. It wasn't your fault. I'm just grateful you're alive." She sighed. "Anyway, Hank stays over 3 or 4 nights a week, but we don't live together."

"That must suck for you."

"No, it's okay. This way we don't get tired of each other. And we don't fight. I get all of the good things—he cooks, lots and lots of sex, and breakfast in the morning. And he doesn't leave his dirty socks all over the floor."

Nicole giggled. "If it works for you guys then who am I to say anything?"

"It works. I'm happy. I think he is too."

"He is. I could tell."

Jess stretched and rose from her chair. "Ok, since you're throwing me out, I'll go home. But I will be back tomorrow." She walked over to Nicole and gave her a hug. "Get some rest. Love you."

"Love you too, Jess." As Jess left the room, she closed her eyes. The pain meds were making her sleepy.

Jess opened the apartment door. "Hank?" she called as she kicked off her shoes. She head the shower running. "OOOOOHHHH!" she squealed as she headed for the bathroom.

She opened the shower curtain and stepped in behind Hank. She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a hug.

"Hello," he greeted.

"I hope you don't mind company."

He turned around and backed her against the shower wall. "My super hot wife naked in my shower. You really think I'm going to throw you out?" he asked.

Jess shivered. His voice always made her crazy. She wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss. "Nicole told me to go home and take care of you."

"Remind me to send her flowers."