The drive home was done in silence. Derek kept glancing at Joe as he stared out the window. Once or twice he caught him when Joe looked back and then quickly averted his gaze.
It wasn’t until they were in the house, with Sherwat released into the yard and their coats hung up, that Joe finally spoke again. “You’re forgiven,” he said, resting his hands on Derek’s hips as he looked up at him. “But if you evertry something like that again…” He shook his head.
“I won’t.” He resisted kissing him to validate his words. Instead he said, “I think you’ve moved well beyond being my apprentice at this point. If you want, if you’re willing, I’m going to make you a partner in the agency.”
“You’re what?” Joe gaped at him. “Are you serious?”
Derek nodded. “You’ve earned it. I’ll still have the last word, because one of us has to. Otherwise, we’ll be full partners.”