Page 26 of Flash Freeze

That would be another advantage of moving in together, she thought. Unlimited Snuffles time. She shook the thought away. Flash wouldn’t go for it, not yet. She remembered her girlfriend once complaining that older women she dated had pressured her about living together. She would not be one of those insecure, needy older women.

A dancing Havanese, the aroma of comfort food, and an enthusiastic kiss from Flash greeted Athena. Could this really be my life someday soon?

“Hey, sexy,” Flash breathed as she loosened her embrace. “Snuffles wants to show off her new look.”

Smiling, Athena raked her fingers through Flash’s short hair, trailing them lovingly down her cheek before dropping her gaze to the dog. Athena crouched to pat the pup. “Snuffles, you’re so pretty with your new haircut. And look at this Valentine’s neckerchief! I missed you when I was gone.”

Snuffles leaned into her pats and licked Athena’s hand. With a cheerful face, she cried, “Arf!” and dashed for the nearest toy—a stuffed Santa’s elf holding a squeaky bone—and hurled it into the air. The little dog raced in circles like a tiny tornado. “Grr, grr, grr!” She seized the elf, shook it, and tossed it high. It landed on a shelf out of her reach. Snuffles stopped short and looked up.

“That’s a marvelous trick!” Athena praised. “Now, come give me some love.”

Forgetting the stuck toy, the not-so-furry fluff ball bounded back to Athena and leaped at her. Athena rose with Snuffles pressed to her chest as laughter erupted from both her and Flash.

“No matter how awful a day I’ve had, this sweet little Snuffles always makes me feel better.”

Flash pressed a palm to the small of her back, her face drawn in concern. “Did you have a bad day?”

“Not really.” Athena kissed the top of Snuffles’ head and set her back onto the floor. “Just no break in the case. What about you?” She walked with Flash toward the kitchen area, where the delicious smells came from.

“It’s been good, except for the traffic and crowds at the store,” Flash answered.

Athena leaned on the counter and inhaled. “How does that work, anyway? You can’t carry many shopping bags on your bike.”

“No,” Flash admitted. “Just enough for a meal or two and some snacks, dog treats. If I need big things, I go shopping with Waylan or Nita after shift. I’m all stocked up on beverages, batteries, and essentials, so I just needed the ingredients for tonight’s dinner.”

“Lasagne?”

“Baked ziti.” Flash opened the oven and pulled out a ceramic baking dish. “Mom’s recipe.” She set it on top of the stove and slid the garlic bread into the oven.

“It smells heavenly,” Athena said. “Yeah, people are going nuts over the weather reports.”

“Well, it makes sense, like when northerners have scorchers and old people die of heatstroke. Last time we had a winter storm, I spent three days pulling people out of wrecks and responding to carbon monoxide calls. It’s still a day or two away, but, when Texans start panic-buying water, I pay attention.”

She scooped salad into bowls with two big spoons. Several dressing options lined the counter. Athena said, “They overreact, and that’s what causes most of the accidents and fatalities. The news and weather channels don’t help.”

“Yeah, what’s with that?” Flash glanced at her with a baffled expression. “It’s like their goal is to keep viewers in panic mode. ‘Stay tuned for minute-by-minute updates.’ They just want to make a fortune off every disaster.”

“Totally!”

Flash standing so close, doing domestic work no less, muscles rippling up her arms, her tight butt swaying as she moved, proved too much temptation. Athena had to touch her. She received a gleam and a devilish grin for her effort as Flash pulled the warm bread from the oven and turned it off.

“Great minds think alike, huh?” Flash said. “Still, better safe than sorry. Ready to eat?”

“Yes, sweetie. I can’t wait to try your mom’s recipe.” Athena held out a plate.

Flash spooned on a modest portion, adding a slice of garlic bread. Her eyes sparkled, and her lips twitched as she said, “We don’t want to be so full of pasta that we can’t move after dinner. I have dessert plans, you know.”

Athena chuckled and carried her plate and salad bowl to the table, where wine breathed in long-stemmed glasses beside ice water. A can of Parmesan, paired with salt and pepper shakers, brushed up against a lit candle. She’d made it look like a restaurant, even a flower in a bud vase.

Gliding into her seat, Athena said, “Detective Bach mentioned how well-rested I looked this morning. I’m not sure ‘rested’ was the right call, though—more like sated and satisfied.”

“Don’t worry,” Flash said as she sat with her food. “I have to be on shift early tomorrow, so I won’t keep you up all night.”

Athena bit into hearty pasta, infused with tangy tomato sauce and sweet, spicy Italian sausage. But the blend of cheeses held center stage and begged for an encore. Her eyelids closed, and she hummed.

“I ran into an old girlfriend at the supermarket.”

Athena’s eyes snapped open. She swallowed her bite, trying not to look like a deer in headlights. Flash must have dozens of old girlfriends. “Oh?” She wasn’t sure if she wanted Flash to say more about the encounter.