[Near the vending machine]
Rosa stood there with a can of smoothie in one hand, tapping it lightly against her leg while waiting for the machine to drop her chips, but it didn't. So, Rosa being Rosa... She kicked it and got her chips. She smirked at the machine as if saying, 'Don't mess with me, or I'll smash you like the old machine.'
Ray walked up beside her, a folded file tucked under his arm. He stood there for a moment, thinking... "Hey!" He said.
Rosa glanced at him. "You look like you're about to say something I won't like."
He smiled a little. "You're getting good at reading me."
"I live with you," she said flatly. "I can tell the difference between your 'everything's fine' face and your 'something's up' face."
He leaned against the wall beside her. "Holt just briefed me on something. It's an undercover assignment."
Rosa's brow furrowed. "What kind of assignment?"
Ray hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Can't say much. Classified. But it's with Amy. We leave tonight."
Rosa's hand froze halfway to opening the smoothie. "You and Santiago?"
He nodded once. "Yeah. It's short-term. Shouldn't take long."
There was a brief silence. The vending machine clunked, dropping a second can that neither of them picked up. It was probably because of that hard kick.
"So…" Rosa said, looking at him sideways. "That means no work on the bike for a while."
Ray exhaled softly. "Yeah. I know we planned to start with the frame this weekend, but it'll have to wait. I promise I'll make it up to you when I'm back."
Rosa took a slow sip of her drink, her expression unreadable. "You're not giving me much to work with here, Ray. Classified sounds like code for dangerous."
He shook his head. "Nothing I can't handle. You know me."
"Still sounds like trouble."
Ray smiled, faint but reassuring. "You worry too much."
Rosa's eyes narrowed. "That's rich coming from the guy who triple-checks the mags and locks before going to bed."
He chuckled under his breath. "Fair point."
For a moment, neither of them spoke. The low hum of the vending machine filled the space between them.
Finally, Rosa sighed and set her smoothie can on top of the machine. "Just make sure you come back in one piece. And don't let Santiago talk you into alphabetizing your gear."
He grinned. "I'll do my best."
She stepped closer and grabbed his collar. She pulled him closer as her voice dropped. "And if this classified thing turns into something more than just routine surveillance, you call me. I don't care where you are."
Ray met her gaze as he wrapped his arms around her waist and nodded. "I will."
Rosa leaned in and kissed him—soft, quick, but full of that quiet intensity that always said more than words. When she pulled back, she gave him a look that could only be described as half warning, half affection.
"Don't make me come drag you out of wherever you're going," she said.
He smiled, brushing a thumb lightly over her cheek. "I'd almost like to see you try."
Rosa smirked. "You wouldn't survive it."
"I'll take my chances," He said before kissing her again.
..
[Around noon]
Boyle stopped mid-step, holding a bag of takeout in one hand and his lunchbox in the other. His face lit up like a kid spotting Santa. He saw Rosa smile like a normal girl, and the way she kissed Ray. It was soft and sweet, unlike the classic Rosa.
"Aww! Look at you two! That's so adorable. Public displays of affection at the vending machine—classic workplace romance moment!" He couldn't help but comment.
Rosa and Ray broke apart slightly. Rosa turned her head slowly, expression flat as ever. It was like she switched on her classic mode. "What?"
Boyle grinned wider. "Don't mind me! I'm just saying, that was beautiful. The vending machine setting, the tension, the kiss... it's like watching a deleted scene from Workplace Romance 2."
Rosa crossed her arms. "You want to be in the next scene where I punch someone?"
Boyle blinked. "Wait, is that an offer or a threat? Because I can work with either."
Jake suddenly slid into the hallway, holding a half-eaten burrito. "Whoa, whoa, what did I just walk into? Did I just witness romance at the snack zone? Rosa, you broke your no-kissing-at-work rule!"
Rosa gave him a flat look. "You made that rule up."
Jake gasped dramatically. "And yet you still broke it! Unbelievable! The vending machine's sacred ground, Diaz. You don't bring love here. You bring hunger and shame."
Ray smirked. "Sounds like your autobiography."
Jake pointed his burrito at him. "Hey, don't sass the guy who's been undercover as a mall cop for forty-eight hours straight. I have seen things. Horrible things. Like teenagers loitering and people trying to return churros."
Rosa smirked. "Sounds traumatic."
Boyle nodded seriously. "Jake's right, Rosa. You shouldn't mock the mall cop experience. It's an emotionally demanding assignment."
Jake puffed out his chest. "Thank you, Boyle. Finally, some respect."
Rosa grabbed her smoothie can again. "You two done?"
Jake leaned against the machine. "Not until we get details. Come on, White, tell me you're not actually enjoying this. Rosa Diaz being all mushy? That's like spotting a unicorn drinking whiskey."
Ray chuckled. "Guess I got lucky. But are you?"
Rosa looked at Jake. "Keep talking, and you'll get luckier—with a black eye."
Jake raised his hands. "Okay, okay! Jeez. Someone's got their love hormones mixed with aggression today."
Boyle leaned toward Jake, whispering loudly, "You know what this means, right? They are going to have a baby."
"Oh my God! Oh my God! Ray and Rosa are having a baby?" Jake's mind glitched as if he had just heard that Die Hard will get a reboot without Bruce Willis.
Rosa turned her head slowly toward him. "You got three seconds to run, Boyle."
Jake pointed behind him. "Go, go, go!"
Boyle yelped and darted down the hallway, clutching his lunchbox. Jake jogged after him, laughing. "Don't kill him! He's fragile!"
"Haaa... Those two," She sighed.
"Well, I should get going. Gotta pack up some clothes and all," Ray said as he took out a keypad from his pocket and handed it to her. "If you don't hear from me in a week or I call for backup, open the basement. Go to the old fridge and open it. Inside, there's a beat-up scanner. Swipe this card. You'll know what to do next. Oh, and don't stay up late." He kissed her forehead before walking out.
...
[5 PM] [Amy's Apartment]
Ray parked his Rolls-Royce Wraith outside Amy's building. The street light caught the polished silver of the car, making it gleam like it belonged in a movie. He turned off the engine and adjusted the cuffs of his tux. The black suit fit him perfectly, clean and sharp, the Rolex on his wrist catching the light every time he moved.
He looked like someone who'd been born to money and power, which was true, but he'd never been one to flaunt it. Tonight, though, he had to look the part.
He walked up the short flight of stairs and pressed the doorbell.
From inside, he heard Amy's voice. "Coming!"
A few seconds later, the door opened.
Amy stood there in a red dress that hugged her shape perfectly. Her hair was done differently than usual, soft curls that framed her face, and the small gold earrings she wore caught just enough sparkle to draw attention without being over the top.
She looked gorgeous.
Ray froze for half a second, taking her in. She looked stunning.
Amy noticed his stare and immediately began fidgeting with her hands. "I knew it. It doesn't look good on me, does it? I knew I should've gone with the navy blue one. Or maybe something more subtle. Oh, this is too much, isn't it?"
Ray blinked, finally remembering how to speak. "It's not too much."
She looked skeptical. "You're just being polite."
He shook his head slowly. "No, I'm not. You look... perfect."
Amy's cheeks turned pink, but she tried to play it off. "Right. Perfect. Totally normal thing to hear before a mission." She brushed invisible lint off her dress. "You clean up pretty well yourself, by the way. Very... uh, James Bond meets Wall Street."
Ray smirked slightly. "I'll take that as a compliment."
"It was. Mostly," she said, grabbing her clutch from the counter. She looked him up and down again. "I didn't realize tuxedos came with confidence built in."
He gave a small laugh. "Depends on who's wearing it."
Amy smiled despite herself, then took a deep breath. "Okay. Mission mindset. Professionalism. We're not actually celebrating an anniversary. We're pretending to celebrate an anniversary. We're married. Married people do... married things. Like... talk about dinner plans and complain about laundry."
Ray raised an eyebrow. "That's your idea of married life?"
Amy blinked. "Isn't it everyone's?"
He chuckled. "You might want to sell it a little better when we're at the hotel."
Amy crossed her arms, half-defensive, half-nervous. "I can sell it just fine. I've seen enough romantic movies. I know what couples do."
Ray noticed her suitcase leaned against the side wall. He picked it up. "Then let's go, Mrs. Lasker."
Amy followed, locking her door behind her. "Don't say that like it sounds normal."
"Gotta practice, remember?" he said with a teasing glint in his eye. "We are dealing with pros here. A little slip up and it's game over."
Amy rolled hers. "Fine, Mr. Lasker."
As they walked toward the car, she glanced at him again, curiosity peeking through her usual focus. "That's a Rolls-Royce?"
He looked at her as he opened the passenger door. "Something wrong with that?"
"No, just... I thought you were more of a motorcycle guy."
He smiled. "I am. This is for work."
Amy climbed in, settling into the soft leather seat. "Right. Work."
Ray started the car.
As they pulled away from the curb, Amy couldn't help glancing at him again. His calmness, the way he carried himself, the ease with which he blended into the role... Her mind wandered, 'He's too perfect and hot. Mama loves it! Wait! Did I just think that? What the hell is wrong with you, Amy?'
...
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[24 advance chs] [No double billing.]
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