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“That was a long walk,” he said. “I’ll bet you’re thirsty.”
“Oh yes,” Naomi answered, glancing over.
He looked up at her, confused, then realized she had thought he was talking to her.
Gods, but he was an idiot. What kind of moron talked to his dog like that, especially when there was someone else in the room? And how did he offer Athena a drink first?
Naomi’s face went blank for a moment, and then she started laughing.
The sight of the elegant woman doubling over, with her eyes shining and her hair falling across her face, made him laugh, too. Suddenly, the big space was filled with the warm sound of shared merriment.
It felt… nice.
“Sorry about that,” he said, after a pause. “I talk to Athena a lot.”
“I don’t blame you,” Naomi said. “She looks like she’s listening.”
He glanced down at the dog, and she really did look like she was trying to figure out what was going on between them.
“She’s a great companion,” he said sincerely. “I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
“Well, it looks like the Center appreciates her, too,” Naomi said. “Look at the table.”
The pale wood had a single strip of white material along its length, on which were placed half a dozen candles, two glasses of red wine, two plates with steak and vegetables, a basket of breads, and two stainless bowls, one with cut up steak and the other with crystal clear water.
“Wow, Athena,” he said. “You’ll enjoy this.”
He grabbed the bowls and headed to the open kitchen area, placing them on the floor.
“It’s heated,” he said.
“The floor?” Naomi asked. “I’ve never seen that before, though I’ve heard of it.”
“Athena’s going to love it,” he said. “I have to hand it to them. They’ve really thought of everything.”
She gave him a strange smile.
“What?” he asked.
“Nothing,” she shrugged. “It’s just that a lot of guys in your position seem to never be satisfied.”
Gage supposed that was accurate for most security professionals. It was exacting work.
“As I see it,” he said thoughtfully. “We’re really only here for one thing. And all these extras are just… extra. What is there to complain about when they’re making an obvious effort?”
She nodded at him with a thoughtful smile.
“Shall we enjoy some of our extras?” she offered.
He fought the urge to blush like a schoolboy at the light flirtation. He was the one who had highlighted the reason for their stay.
“Of course,” he said, moving to pull out her chair for her.
“Thank you,” she said, sitting.
The scent of her hair made him almost weak-kneed, but he managed to make it back to his own chair and sit.
“To new friends and new adventures,” he said, lifting his glass in his best homage to Dayvees Bly-Xarxyn’s constant toasts. He felt a little silly, but it seemed like the right thing to do.
