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“Yeah. Wewerehaving dinner.”
“I’m still coming over. I have to meet the girl you like enough to let into your inner sanctum.”
“I’m not Superman. I don’t have a secret layer.”
“When it comes to women, you do.” A horn blasted in the background. “I’m leaving the office now. I’ll be over in twenty.”
“Do I ever crash your dates?”
“I don’t date.”
“You’ve taken the same woman out four times.”
“She doesn’t count.”
“Don’t come over,” I warned and ran a hand through my hair. Trish was poking at her food, not really eating.
“You know that was the wrong thing to say to me. See ya in twenty.”
The line went dead, and I dropped my phone back into my pocket.
“That was my friend Patrick. The one I mentioned earlier.” I waited until she looked at me before continuing. “He’s got it in his head that he’s coming over. So if you don’t want to meet him, we’re going to have to get out of here in the next twenty minutes.” I scowled. “I have a really great dessert too.”
“We can’t miss that,” she said good-naturedly.
I relaxed back into my chair. “We could take it to the park.”
“If you don’t want to see him, we could just not answer the door,” she offered helpfully.
“You don’t know him. He’s the most persistent son of a bitch I’ve ever met.”
“More so than you?” she teased.
“Way more.” I stood and reached for her hand. “Let’s get out of here. We can find a spot close enough to watch him bang on the front door.”
Trish matched my grin. “You’re terrible. But I’m down.”
“Dessert’s already boxed up anyway.” I grabbed the paper bag and shoved two plastic forks inside.
Our arms stretched as she tried to clear the dishes without releasing my hand. Hope bloomed that she was as desperate to hold on to me as I was to her.
“Hey. I know that bag.”
“Put that back down.” I indicated to the plate in her grasp. With an indignant shake of her head, she refused. “I’ll clean up when we get back.”
“I’ll put them in the sink. Won’t take but a sec.”
Deciding it was best not to argue, I let her clear the island against my better judgment. If it made her happy, I’d willingly concede.
“Ready now?”
“Ready.”
Out the front door,I made sure the street was clear and led her across.
“He’ll be coming from that direction.” I pointed and moved the opposite way. “We should be safe down here.”
We settled on a stoop far enough away that we wouldn’t be easily seen and close enough that we had a prime view of my front porch.
