“Hello!” you greeted, a bubbly voice that you didn’t recognize came out of your throat. A wide smile on your face told the people at the door that you were happy and, as the voice, bubbly. “What can I do for you?”

 

“My name is Tom,” the man said, seemingly trying to pull off your incredibly large smile. He glanced towards the woman next to him. “This is my wife, Mary. We heard you were new in the neighborhood. We live in that house right there.” He turned to point at the house directly across the street, looking back at you with a proud smile.

 

“Yes,” you said, nodding. “It seems like word travels fast around here, huh?”

 

Tom shrugged and released a hearty chuckle. “There’s no secrets around these parts. Everybody knows everybody! And now we get to know somebody new.”

 

“Ah, well.” You cleared your throat and nodded. “We were just getting settled in. We do have a lot of unpacking to do. Why don’t you come on back later tonight?”

 

“That sounds splendid,” Mary agreed, cutting Tom off from whatever he was about to say. “Gives me plenty of time to make my famous casserole!” With laughter, you watched as they walked away. You didn’t hesitate to shut the door and quickly lock it with an annoyed groan.

 

“Who was it?” You turned around and felt yourself freeze at the sight of your boss, Marcus Pierce, standing at the bottom of the stairs with only a towel wrapped around his waist. “What?”

 

“Neighbors,” you stated, clearing your throat. You felt your cheeks burn, so you quickly turned away from him. “Maybe they’re the ones who are selling drugs. They are way too happy.”

 

“Just because somebody’s happy, Y/N, doesn’t mean that they’re drug dealers,” Marcus declared, shaking his head as he turned to go back up the stairs. “We need to fish some information out. You invited them over?”

 

“Later tonight.”

 

“That means we need to get our act together,” he said before he disappeared upstairs.

 

You released a breath you felt you were holding forever, feeling your heart rapidly beat against your chest. You looked towards where Marcus was standing, shook your head with a small smile, and made your way to the kitchen. Couldn’t put on a good show without snacks, could you?

 

As you started rummaging through the cabinets, the front door opened and closed. Before you knew it, Lucifer and Chloe were walking into the room. “Hey, do we not have any sugar?” you asked as you closed a cabinet before searching the next one.

 

“Uh…” Lucifer picked up a bag of sugar you had recently placed on the counter and whistled at you. You laughed with embarrassment before snatching it out of his hands and returning it to the counter.

 

“What’s wrong, Y/N?” Chloe asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “You’ve done undercover ops before.”

 

“Yeah, but never done them with the handsome boss,” you stated, pulling the fridge open to retrieve the carton of eggs. “We have the people across the street coming over later. Figured I’d make some brownies or something since she’s going to bring over her famous casserole.” You placed the eggs on the counter gently and turned to look over at the duo. “Why do people always make a casserole? Why not just some actual food? You know, something actually good.” You huffed as you closed the fridge. “Not that I’ll actually eat anything they bring over. Nobody but God knows what’s going on over here.”

 

“Yeah, but He’s not gonna be much help, is He?” Lucifer said, a bit irritated. You looked over at him with furrowed eyebrows. “We came over to make sure you remember what you’re looking for.”

 

“I’m sure Pierce would’ve been happy to remind me,” you returned, going on the hunt for a bowl.

 

Chloe cleared her throat. “There’s a drug dealer in the neighborhood who’s really good at covering their tracks,” she confirmed. “We don’t have much to go on, which is why you and Pierce are here. Get to know the neighbors, make them spill their guts.” You looked over at her in time to see her send you a smile as she added, “We know you’re good at getting people to confess.”

 

You rolled your eyes as you brought the bowl out, setting it next to the ingredients. “You make it sound so easy, Chloe.”

 

Marcus walked into the room, looking at Chloe for a brief moment before his eyes landed on Lucifer. “What are you two doing here?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest. “We don’t need these people getting suspicious.”

 

“Don’t be a sour puss, Pierce,” you stated, “they’re just checking it out.”

 

“They can check it out at a distance,” Pierce countered, finally looking over at you. “What are you doing?”

 

“Making snacks,” you told him. “You said we gotta get our act together. Serving snacks to guests is getting our act together.”

 

“You’re not wearing your wedding ring,” Marcus pointed out, making you look down at your naked ring finger.

 

“She forgot it,” Chloe declared, setting your fake wedding ring on the counter. “That’s another reason why we’re here.”

 

You placed the ring onto your finger and flashed it at Marcus. “Nice proposal, hun.”

 

“You two can leave now,” Marcus ordered as you quickly swatted Lucifer’s hand away before he could dip his finger into the cake mix. “We have this handled.”

 

“Clearly,” Lucifer muttered, looking over at you as you stuck your tongue out at him. He swiped his finger into the cake mix before you had any time to react and shoved it into his mouth, releasing a victory hoo-rah before walking out of the kitchen behind Chloe.

 

Marcus walked over to you, looking down at your cake mix. “So, who’s coming over?”

 

“Tom and Mary,” you answered, huffing as you continued your baking. “They’re the neighbors across the street, Tom made sure I knew that.”

 

You stopped mixing to look over at him, your breath hitching in your throat when you realized just how close he actually was. You cleared your throat and immediately went back to mixing.

 

“Why did you want to do this?” you asked him.

 

He hummed for a moment before saying, “I wanted to see what it’s like to live as somebody else for a moment.”

 

“Why did you choose me?”

 

“You have experience in undercover missions,” he answered. “I needed this to go smoothly.”

 

You couldn’t help but stare after him as he walked away.

 

---

 

You had to force the laughter. You wondered if Marcus was doing the same thing you were. You didn’t find Tom or Mary funny at all. They were basically dad jokes, stupid stories, something that someone with a dry sense of humor would enjoy. But you had to keep your cover, so you’d laugh at whatever they laughed at because that’s how it’s supposed to go.

 

Mary did make a casserole after all. You made yourself eat it despite it looking like something a cat heaved up. You still don’t understand what the obsession with casserole was. Did they really like it or were they just testing your ability to stay in character?

 

“Why don’t you get the brownies, hun?” You were dragged out of your thoughts when Marcus patted the inside of your leg, eyes widening at the sudden touch. Sure, the two of you were supposed to be acting married, but the only thing you guys did was sit close to each other.

 

You smiled, a little flustered. You stood up and went to the kitchen to retrieve the brownies, setting them onto the coffee table upon your return. Mary went to dig right in, but Tom quickly stopped her. You furrowed your eyebrows as you sat back down next to Marcus.

 

“They look good,” Tom assured, grinning widely as he forced Mary’s hand into his, “but we’re on a strict no chocolate diet.”

 

You looked at Mary, who wouldn’t look up from the ground. “If she wants a brownie, let her have a brownie,” you stated as calmly as you could. “Everybody deserves a cheat day every now and again.”

 

Marcus laughed and quickly grabbed your hand into his, placing his other hand on top of it. “Honey, we don’t want to interrupt their diet,” Marcus stated, smiling widely when you looked over at him. You looked back over at Tom, your eyes holding anger that he clearly saw.

 

“It’s getting late,” Tom said quickly, sending mainly Marcus an apologetic smile. “I believe we should get going.”

 

You stood up faster than they did, retrieving a brownie off the plate and plopping it onto Mary’s hand. “Enjoy.” You sent the two of them a smile and snatched the plate of brownies off the table before going back into the kitchen.

 

As Marcus let them out, you angrily tossed the plate onto the counter, groaning in frustration. When you heard the door close, you shook your head.

 

“That was interesting,” Marcus stated when he entered the room. “Didn’t think you’d break character like that.”

 

“Yeah, well, a**holes tend to do that for me,” you confessed, shaking your head and taking a deep breath. “Sorry, sir, it won’t happen again.”

 

“Good,” he said. “Let’s get some rest.” He walked away as you sighed heavily.

 

---

 

You rolled over in bed, looking at Marcus sleeping on the floor. He was polite to give you the bed, but that didn’t mean you were going to sleep easily.

 

Tom really got under your skin. You were getting angry just thinking about it. There had to be something you could do.

 

You were already getting out of bed and dressed before you could think of a plan.

 

Considering this was a very nice neighborhood, the streetlights actually gave you plenty of light as you crossed the street to Tom and Mary’s house. You still didn’t think of something, but it seemed too late as you approached their front door. Before you could knock, the door slowly opened.

 

A teenager appeared on the other side, eyebrows furrowed and headphones in both ears as she looked at you with confusion. “You’re the new neighbor, aren’t you?” she asked, crossing her arms over her chest. “My dad told me that you’re a little crazy.”

 

“Why? Because I called him out for not letting your mother have a brownie?” You sucked in a deep breath and released it, smiling. “Look, I just came over here to apologize.”

 

“At one in the morning?”

 

“I’m sorry, is there a curfew?”

 

She grinned at your statement, nodding her head. “Yeah, but I don’t follow it.” She shrugged as she let you in. “My parents are asleep, though, so I’d be quiet if I were you.”

 

“What does your dad do for a living?”

 

“He’s an accountant,” she answered, “and my mom teaches at the high school. She’s my English teacher.” She shook her hands in the air in mock excitement. “This is a pretty boring family. Literally nothing happens.” And then she cleared her throat as she added, “But my dad has been working later than he used to. I didn’t think anything of it until now.”

 

You sighed, placing your hands on your hips, but before you could say anything else, there was a soft knock on the door. You turned around to watch her open it and your eyes widened when Marcus was on the other side.

 

“Hello,” he said, sending the teen a polite, apologetic smile. “I’m here to collect my wife.” He made eye contact with you and gave you that boss look. “Honey.”

 

You said bye to the teenager and quickly left the house, following Marcus down the porch steps in silence. “I know what you’re thinking.”

 

“I highly doubt you do,” Pierce declared, continuing to march back towards your house, crossing the street without looking either way.

 

“Well, if you would just slow down for a second and talk this out-”

 

He stopped walking the second he touched the sidewalk, turning to look at you with fire in his eyes. “You almost blew our cover.”

 

“No, I didn’t,” you declared, crossing your arms over your chest. “The dude has been working later than usual. I think we should call up his place of work and-”

 

“Fine,” he interrupted. “Just make sure you fill me in on the plans before you decide to go knocking on the neighbor’s door at one in the morning.” He made his way back to the house and left you there, sighing.

 

---

 

“This is a fancy place,” you muttered to Marcus, whistling at the art decorations. “Who in their right mind would even buy this kind of stuff? I mean, look. That dude’s just showing his junk to everybody. Sense of dignity, dude.”

 

“I thought you said he was an accountant.”

 

“He is,” you declared, a little annoyed. “This is his office.”

 

You watch him eyeball the naked statue. “Why would an accounting office have such vulgar art?”

 

“Hello.” You cleared your throat and elbowed Marcus in his side when the woman approached you, a wide smile on her face. “How may I help you two today?”

 

“Well, we had our neighbors over last night for dinner and my wife said something out of line,” Marcus started, patting your hand as he held onto it tightly. “We missed him this morning, so we figured we might as well try out his place of work.”

 

“Who’s your neighbor?”

 

“His name’s Tom,” you said before Marcus could beat you to it, smiling. You gave her Tom’s description since he didn’t give you his last name at all.

 

“Oh, you mean Tom Parker?” She smiled as you nodded. “I’m sorry to tell you this, but we had to let him go a couple of months ago. It was unfortunate, really.”

 

“Oh.” You looked up at Marcus as he cleared his throat, thanking the lady before leaving. “Well, that could be a good enough reason to start selling drugs.”

 

“Dude gets fired from his job, needs the money somehow. Seems legit,” you said. “But it’s still not enough to arrest him. We have to get proof.” You smiled widely as you added, “And I think I know just the way to do it.”

 

---

 

“Are you clear on the plan?” you asked Marcus as he brushed his teeth in the bathroom. “We have to make a scene big enough for Tom to hear it.”

 

“I’m all caught up,” he assured, exiting the bathroom. “Too bad we have to wait until tomorrow. This floor isn’t as comfortable as it looks.”

 

You smiled. “Well, he didn’t get home until late. The argument wouldn’t have worked. The daughter confirmed he’s “off” tomorrow, though.”

 

He groaned as he sat down on his little sleeping bag.

 

“You know you don’t… have to sleep on the floor, right?” He looked up at you as you climbed into the bed. “I’m just saying. We’re adults, right? It’s not going to get weird.”

 

He bit the bottom of his lip as you laid down, moaning in over-exaggerating pleasure at the comfiness of the bed. He smiled and shook his head before standing up. He got into the bed, pulling the covers over him and rolling onto his side… not realizing just how close you two actually were.

 

Neither of you moved, though. His warm, minty breath washed over your face as your heartbeat hammered against your rib-cage. “Hi,” he whispered and you smiled.

 

“Hello.”

 

He cleared his throat, his eyes flashing down towards your lips and back up. The movement was so fast that you thought you imagined it.

 

“Screw it,” you stated before pushing forward, connecting your lips into his. You melted into it, the kiss deepening.

 

He pulled back, breaking it before it got any deeper. “You do know I’m your boss, right?”

 

“Yes.”

 

You stared into each other’s eyes for a moment before he kissed you this time, feeling his hand go onto your waist and pulling you on top of him. You rested your hand on his strong jaw, smiling in the kiss.

 

The two of you lost yourself underneath the covers.

 

---

 

“Get back in here, Y/N!” Marcus shouted, chasing after you as you walked out of the house. “You’re being ridiculous!”

 

“Shut up, Marcus!” you snapped, turning back to look at him once you saw Tom peek outside his window. “You’ve never taken my feelings into consideration! And now I come home early to see another woman in your bed!”

 

“You weren’t supposed to be home yet,” he replied. “Look, Y/N, baby, just come back inside and we can figure this out later.”

 

“Don’t tell me what to do,” you declared. “Ugh, I can’t believe I gave up drugs for you!”

 

“Whoa, hey.” You looked over at the man approaching you who was not Tom. “Are you okay?” he asked you, hands up to show that he was coming over in peace.

 

“Who the hell are you?” Marcus questioned, clearly annoyed at the interruption. His eyes flashed towards Tom’s house, seeing that he was still hiding behind the curtain, looking out.

 

“My name’s Stewart. I live a couple houses down.” He laughed. “Let me just tell you, you two are very loud.” He cleared his throat when he saw Marcus’s expression. “Hey, miss-”

 

“Y/N,” you interrupted.

 

He smiled at you. “It’s obvious you two need a break before you kill each other,” he said, putting a hand on your hip. Marcus cocked an eyebrow as he started pulling you away from him. “Why don’t you just come with me and we can let the big guy cool?”

 

Marcus stepped forward, opening his mouth to say something. “That’s a great idea,” you said before he got a word in, eyeballing him. “I need some space away from this scum.”

 

You thought it was odd how quick this dude was to step in at the mention of drugs, so you were going to follow him. Maybe he was looking for some new clients?

 

“How long have the two of you been married?” he asked as he opened the door for you, smiling when you walked into his house.

 

“Oh, we’re newlyweds,” you told him. “Got married a couple of months ago and decided to move out here to start a family. Read it was a good neighborhood.”

 

“Yeah, this neighborhood is great,” he said. “So, he’s cheating on you, huh?”

 

You clenched your jaw at his words, showing how clearly irritated you were at the fact that Marcus had somebody that wasn’t you in bed with him. It was all just an act, right? “Yeah. I came home to surprise him since I’ve been working a lot lately, but I found his ex in bed with him.”

 

“Oof,” he stated, shaking his head. “Man, I don’t know why he would cheat on you. He’s gotta be stupid.” He gestured towards the couch and you took a seat. “So, I heard you were into some heavy stuff.”

 

“Oh, yeah,” you said, embarrassed. “I’m in recovery. I did it for him, but clearly it was a bad idea. I might start up again. I just gotta find a new dealer.”

 

“Well…” he trailed off as he sat down next to you, a wide smile on his face. “I can get you started back up if you really want. I’m trying to find some new clients.”

 

“What kind are you selling?”

 

“The kind that’ll make you forget about your idiot husband,” he assured you, smiling.

 

“Let’s see what you got.” You returned his smile as he jumped off the couch, disappearing in the other room and coming back with a small bag of white pills. “How much?” you asked as you took the bag from him.

 

“That first one’s free on one condition,” he said, making you look up at him. You didn’t realize how close he had gotten until you did look up. He was slowly moving his head closer to yours, his lips inches away from yours…

 

But then he was suddenly gone, picked up off the couch and slammed into the coffee table. You gasped when you looked over to see Marcus standing there, looking down at Stewart. You started to laugh as uniformed officers rushed into the house, arresting the drug dealer.

 

“What’s so funny?” Pierce asked.

 

“You saw all of that?” you retorted, grinning.

 

He crossed his arms over his chest as Stewart was escorted out of the house in cuffs. “Yeah. I had to make sure you were safe.”

 

“You were jealous.” You laughed even harder as you stood up.

 

“I was not.”

 

“Then why didn’t you just point your gun at him?” you asked, nodding to the gun peeking out of his pants. “No, you got jealous and smashed him through the coffee table.”

 

He rolled his eyes. “Shut up.”

 

“Marcus Pierce got jealous!” you laughed, shaking your head as you patted him on the shoulder, but he managed to shut you up by smashing his lips into yours. You suddenly lost control of your knees as they collapsed under you, but Marcus held you up with no effort.

 

“Wow,” Lucifer said when he walked into the house, making Marcus pull away from you. “Looks like somebody got cozy undercover.”

 

“He also got jealous.”

 

Lucifer’s lips formed a wide smile at your words, but Marcus threw his hands in the air and marched out of the house before anything else can be said.