Shake It Up (Man of the Month 8)

"Really? How long did you serve?"

"Four years. I went in as an officer, but never intended it to be a career. But my father--well, my foster father--served and I wanted to as well."

"But you wanted to be a cop."

"I wanted to be a detective," he clarified.

"And you are. That's great."

"I like to think so." He lifted their joined hands and lightly kissed the base of her thumb. Her eyes widened with surprise, but he nodded toward the hall where students were starting to emerge. "Want to play it right. Make him jealous. And who wouldn't be jealous of a beautiful girl with me, even if I am old enough to be off your radar?"

She didn't disagree, even if he was being silly. But as he pulled her to her feet and they started scanning the faces, she asked him how old he was.

"Thirty-six. And you're what? Twenty-four?"

"Almost twenty-five."

"Hmm," he said, and she tightened her grip on his hand, certain that naming the gap between them was going to make him tug free. And they needed to look like a couple. For the act they were putting on for Reggie, she told herself. She was just thinking about their investigat

ion, and he was the one who suggested the whole dating pretense.

"You think this is a jealousy thing?" Her thoughts brought the question to the forefront.

"I think it's damn likely."

"But what will we--oh, there he is." She lifted a hand, catching Reggie's attention. He smiled, didn't seem at all distressed to see her, and hurried over, a lanky colt of a guy.

"Hey, Taylor!" His eyes cut to Landon. "Sorry, if we've met. I don't remember you."

"Landon," he released Taylor's hand and shook Reggie's. "I'm not a student."

Reggie nodded, but didn't seem fazed. His attention shifted back to Taylor. "Were you supposed to be in class today?"

"No, we're just here because, well..." She looked helplessly up at Landon, not sure how this was supposed to work exactly.

"To be honest, someone's been bothering Taylor." Landon's eyes were locked on Reggie. So were hers for that matter. As far as she could tell, his reaction was entirely normal--concern mixed with confusion.

"Bothering?"

"You know her pretty well," Landon continued, ignoring Reggie's question. "Anyone else you can think of who knows she likes Sondheim? Or even just musical theater?"

"Sondheim?" He blinked, then frowned. "I don't know. I mean, I think you mentioned it once or twice in class, didn't you?"

She nodded. She'd forgotten about that, but she'd talked at length about Into The Woods one class.

"Have you noticed anyone watching her?" Landon's questions were rapid fire, and Taylor assumed that was to prevent Reggie from having a chance to think.

"What's going on?" Reggie demanded, looking between the two of them.

"She's received some nasty notes," Landon said, taking a single step toward Reggie. Not threatening, but definitely edging into his personal space. "And I intend to stop whoever's sending them."

"Shit, yeah." He looked over Landon's shoulder to Taylor. "You okay?"

She nodded.

"So, how else can I help?"

Landon took a step back, then once again twined his fingers with Taylor's. "If you think of anything else--or if anyone asks about her--let Taylor know. Or, hell, call me." He fished a business card out of his pocket and handed it over.