The looks on their faces were priceless she had to admit. Worth all of the embarrassment the story of the other night, which Holly just recounted, was causing her.

“He WHAT?” Traci said, sitting up a little bit straighter, hands still clasped around her coffee.

“Yup, just barged right in.” Holly said with a smirk and a shake of her head. I tried to warn him, but…”

“And Collins wasn’t right there with him?” Steve interrupted, eyes narrowing dangerously.

Gail was beginning to like this turn of events.

“Uh, no. He came up a few minutes later.” Holly replied “And you should have seen the look on his face.” She smirked

“I’ll bet.” Traci grinned

“Really.” Steve mused, eyebrows raised, ferial grin spreading on his face.

“Really, it’s ok Steve, I can handle this.” Gail said, pretending to be concerned.

“I know you can little sister,” Steve smirked “But what fun would that be?”

“Steve!” Traci kicked him sideways under the table.

“What?” He replied with wide-eyed mock innocents.

Holly laughed. “Are they always like this?”

“Welcome to the Peck and Peck show.” Traci sighed and smiled into her coffee.

“You know, “ Steve said, trying hard to keep a straight face, and failing, “Don’t we have a huge backlog of old case files and ancient evidence boxes that need to be entered into the computer? You know, domestic disturbances, traffic violations, noise complaints, dating back into the early nineties…”

“You know,” Traci smiled, “ We could use some help with the backlog of old expense reports too. Thompson, right?”

Gail laughed. “I love you guys!”

Maybe going out with them wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

“Good!” Steve replied “Cuz you will be buying us drinks for the next month.”

“Oh really,” Holly laughed

“Yup.” Steve winked at her

Gail’s phone rang. Steve raised his eyebrows at her as she answered it with a sigh.

“Hello Mother, “ She groaned audibly and rolled her eyes. “Yes. Yes, I am at the lake house with Holly. She rolled her eyes again and sucked in a deep breath.

“No. No, you are not coming up here. We can talk when I get back.

There was a pregnant pause; all eyes were on her now.

“No mother, this is not a phase as you would like to call it.”