Page 50 of Possess

“She wasn’t. I think she’s trying to figure out what’s going on between us.” Not that Allyson blamed Josie. She had a feeling that’s what siblings did.

“Yeah, well, I should warn you that she told our parents about you.”

“Is that a problem?” She stiffened.

Zeke’s eyes narrowed. “Not for me, but they’d like to meet you. Is that an issue?”

“Oh?” She hadn’t thought of that. “Can we put them off for a while?” She didn’t fully answer his question.

“I’ll try. Do you not want to meet them?”

Of course, he’d call her out on it. “It’s not that.” She twisted her hands together in her lap. “Zeke, I told you a little bit about my parents.”

“Yes.”

“Well, they weren’t good role models, so I’m not sure I’m the right person to take home to your parents.”

“Oh, sweetheart.” He stretched his hands across the table and waited until she put her hands in his. “I think they’d love you and you them, but if it’s too early, that’s all right. Everything in its time, right? I’ll explain to them, and they’ll wait until you’re ready.” He squeezed her hands.

If I ever am.She didn’t say the words to Zeke. She didn’t want to upset him. “Have you eaten yet?”

“No, I was waiting for you.” When he called earlier and asked her to meet him here, she was surprised but glad.

“What will you have?”

“Today’s special and a diet soda.”

“You got it.” Zeke’s smile brightened Allyson’s heart. “Be right back.”

Allyson watched Zeke. Damn, the man had a fine ass. Firm. And his jeans gripped it just right. Heat flared in her belly. Her cell phone pinged, and she opened her bag where she’d placed the red folder with the questionnaire.

Oh hell, it was her boss. “Hey, Wes.”

“Allyson. We might have an issue.”

“Let me guess, Starr Construction called you.” Zeke came back and placed the number at the end of the table.

She covered her phone. “My boss. It should only take a minute.”

He nodded and rose, but she waved him back into his chair.

“Yes. They’re not happy.”

“I bet they’re not. Check your inbox. I sent you the detailed report. Wes, there are violations all over the place, including inferior construction.”

“Hold on a sec.” She could hear the clicking of keys. “Holy crap.”

“Yeah, I was livid. I don’t know what Rudy has been doing with them, but what I saw today was unacceptable.”

“Yep. Okay, no worries. I’ll get on this. Sorry to bug you.”

“You’re just doing your job.” She hung up.

“Problems at work?” Zeke asked.

“It’s fine.” She shook her head. “Which reminds me. The new home construction you’re doing out on Pioneer, would ten Monday morning work?” She’d gotten notification of the permit being granted as she left the office today.

Zeke pulled out his phone. “That’s perfect.”

---