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“Are you serious?”
I gaze down his body and stop on the bulge between his legs.
“I thought you’d be hungry after work, so I started making burgers. Do we have any cheese?”
“You’re talking about food when you’re practically naked and hard?” I playfully shout, kicking off my shoes, then pulling off my shirt.
He raises a brow, admiring my black bra and licking his lips. “Payback, sweetheart.”
I gasp, unzipping my jeans and tearing them off next. “For what?”
He smirks while coming closer, then wraps his arms around my hips. “You’ve been driving me crazy all damn day. After your first message, I had to spend thirty minutes with a nineteen-year-old who nearly kicked my ass because I couldn’t focus.”
“So, you’re just going to tease me through dinner?” I stick out my lower lip, and he captures it with his teeth.
“Yep. I’ll have it done in just a few minutes.”
My shoulders slump. “Rude.”
He swats my ass, then goes back to the stove. I grab the cheddar from the fridge and set it on the countertop, then go freshen up.
“So I’m meeting Lexie and Heidi for drinks tomorrow night after we close. We need a chance to discuss some work stuff outside of the shop. You’re welcome to join if you want, but just know it’ll consist mostly of girl talk.”
He chuckles. “Yeah, that sounds like a fun timefor you. I’m gonna pass, but thanks for the invite.”
“Maybe Tyler or Noah can meet you there too?”
“Nah, that’s okay. They’re busy with work and family stuff. Sassy and I will hold down the fort. Just let me know when you leave so I can pick you up. Wait, how come Dana isn’t going?”
I repeat her words from earlier along with my suspicions.
“You could be paranoid with everything that’s happened. Maybe her roommate reallyistrying to lay low and hide.”
I shrug, still having my doubts. “Maybe, but Dana’s also been acting weird, so I think it’s something else.”
We finish our food and cuddle on the couch with Sassy on the floor next to us. I never thought this would be my life—being serious with a man who lives with me, casually sharing meals together, and watching TV until bedtime.
I didn’t know I wanted or needed this until Archer. Maybe it took meeting the right guy—one who’d take a bullet for me without thinking twice.
“Hey, ladies. Whatcha having tonight?” Damien asks as the three of us approach the bar.
“Vodka soda, two Jack and Cokes, and three tequila shots,” I respond, setting my card on the counter. “Start us a tab, please.”
He smiles wide as he grabs it, then makes our drinks. Lexie, Heidi, and I find a high top table near the back of the bar and wait for them to be delivered.
“So I told Heidi what Dana said and how weird she’s been acting. She has a theory,” Lexie says.
“Ooh, tell me,” I blurt out. While I shouldn’t be gossiping about one of my employees, I’m making an exception this time. Considering what’s happened to me, I’d rather be in the know.
“Last week, she mentioned driving her roommate to the airport and then picking her up the next day. She stumbled to come up with a reason when I asked about the quick trip, which made me think she was lying. She said her roommate had to meet a lawyer and only wanted to stay one night.”
“Couldn’t she just have met with him on FaceTime or over the phone? That seems excessive to have to fly back and forth?” Lexie states.
“Yeah, unless she had to sign papers or make a cash payment. Plausible if her intentions are to stay on the down low,” I suggest.
“Maybe she’s in the witness protection program,” Heidi says. “And maybe Dana’s hosting her until she goes to her final destination.”
“Oh my God, we’ve all been watching too much Crime TV.” I burst out laughing.
