Page 55 of Tanner

That got the smallest smile out of him. “Was planning on it.”

Tanner shifted Savannah higher again. “Fine.”

“Fine means yes?”

“It means one meal.”

“I’ll take it.”

Tanner shook his head and started back toward the chairs before the conversation could go anywhere else. Miles fell into step beside him, then stopped.

“I’ll come by around seven-thirty,” he said quietly.

Tanner glanced back. “You’re very sure of yourself.”

“No. I’m making sure you know the plan.”

Going back to his chair, Tanner sat down with Savannah still half asleep against him. Cody looked over, took one look at Tanner’s face, then grinned so wide Tanner considered hitting him.

Tanner pointed at him. “Don’t.”

Cody lifted both hands, still grinning. “I didn’t say a word.”

“You were about to.”

“I didn’t, though.”

Orsen sat back down on the bench and looked between them. “You said yes, then.”

Tanner stared at him. “You people are exhausting, and I’ve only just met you.”

“That’s also not a denial and we can get more annoying if you want.” Cody continued grinning.

Tanner muttered something under his breath that made Orsen smile and Cody laugh outright. Savannah stirred at the sound, and Tanner automatically rubbed her back until she settled. By the time he looked up again, both of them had moved on and Tanner sighed in relief.

He stayed another half hour after that before finally saying he needed to get Savannah home. Cody pushed leftovers at him again. TJ told him to text when he got back so they’d know he’d made it home. Toni said goodbye softly so she wouldn’t wake her. Carter waved from the gate with Macy asleep against his shoulder. It should have felt too much, but it didn’t. It was actually nice, and Tanner decided not to look into that.

By the time Tanner got Savannah home, got her shoes off, cleaned the chalk from her face, and settled her into bed, he was ready for bed himself. He stood in the kitchen with one hand on the counter and his phone in the other.

The preschool message was still there. He opened it, read it again, and quickly locked the screen.

Standing for another minute in the dark kitchen, Tanner listened to the old house settle around him and tried not to think too far ahead. If people started asking more questions, he wasn’t ready. He knew that. Nothing about tonight had changed it. If anything, tonight had only made it clearer what he could lose.

After a moment he put the phone down, checked Savannah once more, and headed for bed.

Chapter Fifteen

When Miles entered the station, he waved to Dee, who was busy on a call, then walked through to the main room and sat at his desk. His thoughts were still on Tanner and the fact that he’d agreed to dinner. Miles had seen the hesitation before Tanner said yes, which made sense. They’d had sex, and Miles didn’t think Tanner had expected that any more than he had. But instead of putting distance between them, it had left Miles wanting to spend more time with him.

He dropped a file onto his desk, switched on his computer, and stared at the screen without taking in a word. A few minutes later, footsteps crossed the room. Looking up, he saw TJ heading toward him with a mug in one hand. “You okay?”

Miles looked up. “I’m fine.”

TJ held out the mug. “You don’t look fine.”

Miles took the coffee. “I’m alright.”

TJ was quiet for a second, then glanced around the room. Two of the deputies were talking near the back door. He looked back at Miles. “Office.”