Page 60 of Coming Clean

Sabrina continued. “Igraduated in May, and I’m saving for grad school, so I’m workingfor Connor now.” She beamed at Connor. “I’m so happy his businesshas taken off the way it has.” At least she believed in him.

“Yeah, that’s great,” Davidsaid, without Sabrina’s enthusiasm.

Jeremy took the pastry boxand whispered in his ear. “You look amazing. I’m consideringsending them home.”

Oh, pleasedo. “I like that idea.”

“What idea?” Sabrinaasked.

“Having a drink,” Jeremysaid, heading for the kitchen, his arm still linked with Connor’s.“Beer or wine?” he asked, opening the fridge.

“Beer,” Connor answered,glad he had a choice.

“Both?” Sabrina laughed“It’s been a long day. I’m filling out applications for gradschools.”

“What program are youapplying for?” David asked.

“Psychology. I want to be atherapist who focuses on PTSD. After learning what recon teamsreally go through, or as much of it as I’m allowed to know, I’verealized how much need there is for soldiers to have goodtherapists.”

“You were recon?” Davidasked, eyeing Connor like he didn’t quite believe it. Why was theman such an ass to him?

“Yeah, but I don’t like totalk about it.” He glared at Sabrina. She knew better than to bringup what he’d dealt with. He didn’t talk about that shit withanyone.

Jeremy held up two beers,both local ales. “Sabrina, you want to start with one ofthese?”

“Sure,” she said, takingthe nearest one.

“Dinner’s almost ready. Imade lasagna, garlic bread, and a salad.”

“Sounds great.” Connor hadbeen worried Jeremy would make something exotic. He didn’t want tohave a culinary adventure. Dealing with David was more thanenough.

“So you started thecleaning business all by yourself?” David asked. Was he implyingthat was impossible?

“Sabrina helped me makeconnections to get my first clients. Once I had several satisfiedcustomers, I realized I could expand so I took some small-businessclasses and incorporated.”

“And you’ve been inbusiness over a year?” David asked.

“That’s right, and I’vehired Sabrina and two others to help me.”

David nodded. “Impressive.”He seemed to mean it.

“Thanks.” Connor wasn’tgoing to be pissy if David was trying to be sincere.

Jeremy served dinner a fewminutes later. They ate at the table in what was supposed to be theformal dining room, but Jeremy had managed to give the room a morecasual feel and he used everyday plates. Connor was glad because hedidn’t want to feel like the beast at the ball trying to eat offfancy china.

Conversation stayed lightthroughout dinner, although Connor couldn’t manage to relax as hewaited for criticism from David and watched him flirt shamelesslywith Sabrina.

When Jeremy startedclearing plates Connor hesitated, torn between helping him clean upand serve dessert, and staying in the dining room to keep an eye onDavid. Of course, Sabrina seemed to actually enjoy David’sover-the-top attention-getting tactics.

Connor caught Sabrina’s eyeand raised a brow, trying to silently ask if she was as happy asshe looked. Instead of simply nodding, she went with a less subtleresponse. “Connor, I bet Jeremy could use help with the dessert.”Great. She was not only happy, she wanted to get rid ofhim.

“I was just thinking that.”He pushed his chair back and stood. “Do remember we’re comingback,” he added, glaring at David.

David grinned. “I’ll see ifI can behave.”

“Do that.” Connor took hisplate and David’s and headed into the kitchen.

“I was going to get those,”Jeremy said. He was placing the pastries on a platter next to astack of dessert plates.