Page 117 of Heartbeats & Highways

“Oh no, don’t. Please God, don’t cry!”

“Okay.” I bit my lip and took a few deep breaths. When I was under control, I said, “Savage got the baby class postponed because he didn’t want to miss it.”

“The powers of persuasion,” Virgil said with a grin. “I wish I had that. You want to go to dinner with us after work?”

“I was going to have dinner with my friend—my neighbor from across the hall,” I said. “But I’ll ask her if she wants to join.”

“Oh, she’s the one who drove you to work this morning?”

“Yep.”

A prospect had showed up on my doorstep, courtesy of Savage, but I’d rejected his offer.

The front door jangled as it opened, and Cozy walked in.

“Speak of the devil,” I remarked.

“You were talking about me?” Cozy asked.

“Yeah.” After introductions were made, I said, “Virgil is inviting us out for dinner.”

Cozy nibbled on her lip. “Oh. Yeah, I guess we could go out.”

“You don’t want to,” Virgil said. “That’s okay. I won’t be hurt if you guys bow out.”

“No, it’s just . . .” She looked at me. “You promised me a home-cooked meal and I was really looking forward to it.”

“What were you gonna make?” Virgil asked.

“Country fried steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, and homemade sourdough biscuits.”

Virgil blinked. “That sounds better than going out.”

“Hey, why don’t we just do dinner at my place?” I suggested. “You and Roman can come over. I’ll call Jazz and Brielle. Let’s make it a party.”

“That means Homer too,” Virgil said.

“The more the merrier.” I smiled and looked at Cozy. “You good with that?”

She beamed. “Very good with that.”

“Who’s good with what?” Roman asked, appearing from the back.

“Evie offered to cook dinner instead of going out tonight. Her baby class was postponed so we’re going to her place,” Virgil explained.

Roman didn’t reply to Virgil’s statement. When the room went silent, I looked over at Roman and saw that he was watching Cozy.

Then I glanced at Cozy; she was staring at Roman.

I eyed Virgil, who raised his brows.

“Uh, Roman, this is my neighbor, Cozy. She lives across the hall from me.”

When Roman didn’t reply, I said to Cozy, “Cozy, this is my boss, Roman.”

She didn’t reply either.

“What’s going on?” Virgil stage-whispered to me.

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