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“Police tape or garbage from the day.” Her expression is one of confusion, and after helping her and the dog in her arms down from the car, I walk us up the front steps with her bag from the hospital in my hand. From the corner of her eyes, she squints at me in waiting. “Yes?”
“Be more specific, please.”
“I will after you answer my question first,” I say, which she furrows her brows at, but then the realization hits soon enough and I’m slapped in the arm. “Violence doesn’t solve anything, Miss Moore.”
“Quit being too good at turning things around on me.”
“Then be a little more open and don’t make me use the power of the Jedi mind trick on you.”
“Seriously?” Laughter bubbles out of Gabriella, her head thrown back and shoulders shaking. “Jedi mind trick?”
“Are you mocking me, woman?”
“I can’t breathe!” Another slap to my arm and then she’s putting the dog on the ground as she bends forward, hands on her knees. She’s cracking up, completely overtaken by something that isn’t that funny, but if it’s what she needs, I’ll gladly supply the amusement.
Seeing her like this warms my chest. So carefree. So at ease.
“Are you done?”
“Almost. I swear.” Another bout of giggles. She’s wiping her eyes while straightening up, her expression a bit sheepish. “I have no idea why I find that so funny coming from you.”
“Why?”
“Just can’t see you as a Star Wars fan...that’s all.” Gabriella unlocks her door and Mr. Pickles is the first to enter, not sparing us a second look while hightailing it somewhere up the stairs. “Huh. Usually, he’s whining for a treat right about now.”
“A treat?” We walk straight through the main living areas and into the kitchen where I place her bag with the few belongings she had at the hospital. “What kind of snacks do dogs eat?”
I’m playing along with her, taking the opening as it presents itself. And this is one of those instances because while I might not own a dog, I do understand the reward system for a trusted companion. Human or animal, it’s all the same, and you give to those that are truthful and deserving of your time and affection.
“Not a pet person?”
“I am, but not the conventional kind.” My answer piques her interest, and I can almost see the questions forming in her mind, but shake my head. “I’m still waiting for an answer, Miss Moore. Tit for tat is the only way I play.”
“You sly devil.” It’s a bit of a sneer, but I smirk at her veiled insult. So cute. “Fine. But I swear you asked for this, and I need some coffee first. Do you want a cup?”
“No, thank you.”
Green eyes give me a questioning look. “I didn’t see you eat or drink anything today.”
“That’s because I rose at seven and you slept in until late. My schedule can be quite rigid, and that includes eating.”
“Oh.” That’s all she says, but I can tell there’s more she wants to ask.
“Go ahead, sweetheart.” My words cause a small tinge of pink to blossom on her cheeks, and the color is lovely on her skin. I’d like to see it in other places—her perky ass being one of them. “I’ll answer any questions you may have.”
“Are you on some kind of special diet?”
“You can say that, but it’s more of a lifestyle change. The more organized I am in all aspects of my life, the more I accomplish.”
“A lifestyle?”
“Rise early, meals only during certain hours, and eight hours of sleep every night, no excuse.”
“Oh! You mean like fasting?”
“Yes.”
“Cool beans. Does it work?” Gabriella walks to the coffee machine and sets it up, grabbing a large cup from the cupboard with some design on the front. “The fasting, I mean. It was trending all over social media a few months back and I was pretty curious, but when it comes to food, I’m too weak to abstain if a chocolate cupcake was to appear before me.”
