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Serena squints at the sky.
“Would you rather eat in the truck?” I ask her.
“No, it’s nice out. I’m just going to grab my sunglasses from my car.” She hands me the cooler and jogs across the lot. My lips curve when she stops at her car, parked right next to my truck. Like the pervy man she’s brought out of me, I admire her while she dips inside, stretching her long, lean body over the front seat. She emerges a few seconds later, slides her shades on, and slams the door shut. As she returns, I study her figure for any signs of change.
“You didn’t open it?” she asks, stepping over the bench on the other side and sitting across from me.
“I was too busy watching you.”
Her cheeks flush. “Worried someone would run me over?”
“No. I enjoy looking at you.”
Her face brightens into a smile. “How’s your day so far?”
“Much better now.”
She slides the cooler to her side and unzips it, quickly pulling out foil-wrapped items and two Tupperware containers. “I hope you like chicken.”
“I like anything. Especially if you made it.” I unwrap one of the long foil packages and find a sub sandwich. “Looks great.” I bite into the toasty bread, getting a mouthful of flavorful chicken breast and crunchy veggies.
She watches me so intently, I grab one of the napkins and wipe my chin.
“Is it okay?” she asks.
“It’s fantastic. You made it?”
She nods and unwraps a smaller version of what I’m eating, taking a dainty bite. While she’s chewing, she taps one of the containers and hands me a set of metal utensils from the cooler.
I pry the lid off the container. Bow-tie pasta covered in dressing and veggies. “Did you make this?”
“I hope you like pasta salad.”
“I do. But you didn’t have to go to so much trouble.”
“I wanted to.” Her pink lips push into a pout, and she drops her gaze to her sandwich, flicking crumbs to the side.
I reach across the table and cover her hand with mine. “Hey, I appreciate it. I really do. And I’m so happy to see you.”
“Sorry, I don’t mean to be so needy.”
“As long as it’s me you need, I don’t mind.”
We’re interrupted by Sully and Aubrey walking past our picnic table.
“Afternoon, Gray.” Sully stops and throws a questioning look at Serena.
“Hey, Sully. Serena, this is the owner of Strike Back, Sully.” I nod to his tiny brunette fiancée standing by his side. “And Aubrey. This is my girlfriend, Serena. She brought me lunch.”
“Oh, that was sweet.” Aubrey beams at Serena. “So happy to meet you.”
“I just moved out here, so I was nearby.” Serena gestures with her hands as if she’s flustered by the attention.
“Oh! You’re Emily’s Serena, aren’t you?” Aubrey opens her arms wide and skirts around the corner of the table to embrace Serena.
Serena returns the hug, and it seems to make her less nervous. The tension eases from her expression and her shoulders relax. “I think so.”
Aubrey’s bright eyes dance between Serena and me. “I had no idea. This is so great.” She tips her head and looks at Sully. “Isn’t this great?”
Sully’s mouth quirks. “Sure.”
“You have to come to self-defense class one Sunday with Emily. You can meet Bree and my sister Celia.” Aubrey rubs her hands together. “Sometimes we get to beat up on Jake. It’s a blast.”
“I don’t know if he feels the same way,” Sully says.
“Of course he does.” Aubrey waves his concern away.
“I’d like that,” Serena says. “Thank you.”
“We’ll let you get back to lunch,” Sully says, taking Aubrey’s hand again.
“I’ll be done in a few—”
“Take your time,” he cuts me off. “Nice to meet you, Serena.”
By the time they leave, Serena’s smiling again. Aubrey seems to have that effect on everyone. Part of what makes her so good at the front desk.
“They’re really nice.” Serena takes a sip of water.
“Why’d you seem so nervous at first?”
She lifts her shoulders and glances away. “I don’t know. I didn’t want you to get in trouble for having visitors at work, I guess.”
“Nah, he’s easygoing. Think you’re interested in taking that class one weekend? I didn’t realize Emily knew Aubrey.”
“I would like to. If you don’t mind.”
“Why would I mind?”
“I don’t want to…I don’t know, invade your job.”
I almost point out that I’m the reason she got fired from her job but don’t think that helps. “Serena, I want to soak up every moment I can with you. Besides, I don’t usually work Sundays.”
“Oh, that’s true.”
“You should go.” I wink at her. “I’ll switch my days, so I can watch.”
“I’ll talk to Emily.” Her lips curve again. “How did things go this morning?”
“Better than I expected.” I lean forward and lower my voice. “She said she’d give me permission for a weekend away with my girlfriend.”
She raises an eyebrow. “Really? Where?”
The excitement in her voice makes me wish I had better news. “Well, I told her the Catskills, but I want to be able to go visit downstate. I need to see Z’s place.”
