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“Why am I not surprised that you’re a hardliner about not having a tree before Thanksgiving?” she asks.
“Why confuse people? You invite them over for Thanksgiving, and there’s a tree out, they might think they’ve lost their minds. Just like we’ve probably lost ours.” I lift my eyebrows. “You did just finish saying Josie might be right about something.”
Her smile widens. “Except we’re not paranoid. The woman across the street really has been watching us, and you were right about Big Mike. I doubt that little girl’s his kid. An undercover cop wouldn’t bring their real kid to work with them.”
I bring her hand to my lips and kiss it. Her skin is soft and still a little cold against my lips. I already ordered those gloves for her. In three different bright designs, because if she gets to go overboard and buy a whole damn wardrobe of shirts for me, then I get to do the same. In twenty-four hours, they’ll be here. I want to be around when they come so I can see her face.
“No, not unless it was Take Your Daughter to Work Day.” I scrunch my mouth to the side. “Do I actually need to hang out with that asshole to try to get information from him?”
“Probably,” she says. She’s trying to sound amused, but I see the worry in her face.
“If I’m in trouble, it’s my own damn fault,” I insist. “This doesn't have to involve you. You barely even knew I existed a month ago.”
“I knew you existed,” she says, “but I didn’t know you wereyou. There’s a big difference.”
“Yes, you thought I was a nice guy,” I say dryly. “The horror.”
“Youarea nice guy. A nice, complicated, super-intelligent, and perverted weirdo badass, and I am honored to be your—”
Girlfriend.
“Plaything.”
“Just for now?” I ask.
“Let’s see where things go. I’m still confused about all of this. About life. And crutches. And major holidays.”
It’s not the answer I want, but I can’t begrudge her for stalling for time.
“Am I supposed to pretend we’re only roommates around everyone else?” I ask. Because I’m a man who likes to have boundaries clearly established and explained.
Her lips twitch. “Don’t you think that ship has sailed? I get that Shane’s a lawyer, but I’m sure all the guys know about our arrest for indecent exposure by now.”
She’s wrong. Shane can keep secrets. But I don’t feel inclined to correct her. I don’t want to pretend she doesn’t matter to me—I loathe pretending. I have to do enough of it every day. I have to pretend not to be overwhelmed by simple things, not to be annoyed when people ask inane questions or offer up conversation that is ninety percent nonsense. And, most of all, I have to pretend whenever I speak to that prick Jarrod.
“You’re okay with me being confused?” Mira asks. “You seem like you want to know the answers about everything.”
I run my hand over her hair again, needing the silky feel of it, as my mind works that one over. “You know, there’s this book where people finally get the definitive answer to life, the universe, and everything.”
“Do tell,” she says. “That’s not the kind of thing you should hold out on.”
“It’s forty-two.”
“The number?” she asks, her lips tipping up as if she’s amused just in anticipation of the joke.
“The number. So obviously the answer left them with more questions than ever. I think that’s a pretty good allegory for life, don’t you?”
“Okay, Reaper,” she says, giving her head a shake. Probably aDanny you’re so strangeshake, but I don’t mind. I don’t think she does either. And hearing her call me that feels strangely grounding, like two sides of myself are finally being joined. “I’m going to finish those drinks. Should I make a drink for Deacon? Would that be weird?”
“Probably,” I say. “He’s on the job.”
“Wouldn’t it be weird if I didn’t make one for him, though?” she asks, her gaze darting in the direction of the bedroom. “I don’t want him to feel left out.”
“I don’t want him to stick around,” I say in a lowered voice.
She rolls her eyes at me. “You’re such a people hater. What’s the word for that?”
“Misanthrope. And I’m not being a misanthrope.” In response to her raised eyebrows, I amend, “I’m not being a misanthropenow. I was hoping for a little time alone with you before everyone else comes over. We got interrupted earlier.”
