The city had started to cool down from the late afternoon heat by the time Jeffrey and Gilbert finally stopped running. Both men were panting, sweat trickling down their temples, their shirts clinging to them like second skin.
“Remind me…” Gilbert managed between breaths, bending slightly with his hands on his knees, “…why do I even bother chasing a criminal in recovery?”
Jeffrey grinned, still catching his breath. “Because deep down, you enjoy the exercise. Consider it bonding time.”
Gilbert shot him a glare sharp enough to cut glass. “Bonding time? Jeffrey, you locked me in a room! That’s not bonding—that’s imprisonment!”
Jeffrey chuckled and patted him on the shoulder. “Semantics.”
Gilbert smacked his hand away, frowning. “You—! You’ve got the guts to joke after nearly giving me a
