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“Booker? Oh, you mean the police officer from last night. No, I haven’t. How do you know him?”
“His wife is a firefighter. She came out of the academy a few years after I did, and we became good friends. I used to have dinner with them quite often.”
“That’s nice.”
“It was. They are good people. I haven’t seen either of them in a while. Perhaps I could invite them for dinner when I get back.”
“I’m sure they would enjoy catching up with you.”
I suddenly had the urge to tell her I missed her, but I held those words back. “Are you doing alright?”
“Yes, I am. I can’t believe I slept so long. I woke up a little late but saw your note and was glad to know that Lydia was aware of what happened. Did she give you a hard time about me staying here?”
“No, why? Did she say something at the office?”
“Not really. I wasn’t sure if she approved, and she made some mention of the fact that you liked to rescue people.”
I frowned. Lydia should have kept her mouth shut on that. “I am being a friend. We determined that last night, remember?”
“Yes, I know. I told her that, but she still warned me off about you.”
“What did she say?”
“Nothing really, just that I should not get involved with you.”
“Lydia needs to butt out of my life. She’s worried that you and I would get involved, and then you’d quit. She’s being selfish.”
“Well, she has nothing to worry about because we aren’t getting involved.”
“Why not?” I blurted out the question.
She grew quiet. “Zack, I told you that already. You’re my boss.”
“And you know that there is something between us, Lillian. You feel it just like I do.”
“It’s not smart for us to let desire or lust or whatever it is get in the way. We need to remain friends.”
I sighed. “I’m not of the same mindset, but I’m not going to push you to do something you don’t want.” I paused. “I can still remember you telling me you burned for me.”
“Smoke, please.”
“Whiskey, I want you to burn for me. Whenever I am around you, I feel a warmth in my gut that I have never felt.”
“Maybe I give you indigestion.”
I laughed. “Hardly, woman.”
I heard her chuckle. “Well, I still believe we should avoid getting involved. I need a friend right now, Zack. I’m not ready to get involved with anyone.”
“I understand that, Lilly, but know that doesn’t change how I feel.”
“The only thing I want you to feel toward me is friendship. That’s all I can give you, Zack.”
“That’s all I’m going to ask for,” I replied, although I wanted to add for now to the end of that statement.
“I need to get to bed. Thanks for calling, and thank you for letting me stay here. When do you get home?”
“I’ll be back Friday night. I should be home by dinner time.”
“Okay, let me know if that changes. Otherwise, I’ll have something here for you to eat when you get home.”
“Sounds good,” I replied, and we said goodbye. As I sat there thinking back over the conversation, I didn’t tell her how much that had meant to me to hear she’d have something waiting for me when I got home. Too bad she was referring to food, not her wrapped up in a bow. Now that was a meal I’d be dying to eat.
