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Rook keeps his gaze on me. “Should we?”
It’s inching closer and closer to my shuteye time, so I nod. “I get up at five every day, so I’d like to…”
“Five?” Posey questions. “Why on earth?”
I can’t help but laugh. “It’s the time I’ve always gotten up. I’m usually at my lab shortly after eight.”
Posey shoots a look in Rook’s direction again. “If Carrie clears out of here at eight and I start around tenish, that works, right?”
“Wrong,” he says, finally glancing at her. “Be here at eight fifteen every morning and stay until…”
“I’m never here before six,” I offer since I suspect he was searching for that tidbit of information.
“I’ll stop by around five thirty to help Posey clean up each day,” Rook explains.
“You said you’d help with the mural,” she directs that at her boss. “You said something about your artistic flair.”
With a straight face, he nods. “I’ll stop by whenever I have a chance to contribute. If we run past six occasionally, will that work for you, Carrie?”
“Sure.”
“Expect to see me here tomorrow evening.” His lips inch toward a smile. “I’ll stop by to lend Posey a hand with the painting and clean up.”
“Sounds great to me.” My smile beams brighter than his. “I have plans after work tomorrow. I don’t expect to be back here until late.”
Well, late for me. Nine o’clock is early in this town.
Rook’s smile disappears. “All right.”
I can’t tell if he’s disappointed or if he’s relieved.
Since I blurted out my virgin status to the man, I haven’t stopped wondering whether he views that knowledge as a burden.
He’s becoming close friends with my sister, and although I can’t see him telling her I’m still lugging my V-card around, it does put him in a delicate position.
I stand. “I don’t mean to throw you out, but it’s getting late.”
Again, that’s all in the eye of the beholder, and my eye says I need these two to leave.
“Of course.” Posey is on her feet first. “It was nice to meet you, Carrie.”
“You too.” I smile at her.
“I’ll tell my brother about you.”
“Why?” Rook surprises us both with that question.
Posey shakes her head. “Because she’s a regular customer, and that will mean a lot to him.”
“Right.” Rook nods. “I’m sure Elio will appreciate that Carrie enjoys his offerings.”
Posey’s eyebrows dance. “You might be onto something, boss.”
Rook looks as stunned by that as I feel.
Posey goes on, oblivious to the silence that met her last statement, “I happen to know that my brother is very single. Are you, Carrie?”
“We’re leaving.” Rook motions toward the door before he grabs his suit jacket and heads in that direction. “We’ve taken up enough of Carrie’s time for tonight.”
