Page 44 of Tequila Tuesdays

He grinned. “Sounds good.”

“Is on the rocks with a little salt on the rim okay?” I asked as I walked to the fridge.

“Perfect. Thanks.”

While I made margaritas, Damien installed the main panel close to the front door. Then he went through the house installing sensors on all the openings.

I showed him my second bedroom, which was set up as an office with a double bed, and then my bedroom so he could install sensors on my patio door in there.

My bed was covered with a fluffy white waffle duvet and soft throw pillows. A small lemon Cyprus tree stood in the corner.

It was strange seeing Damien in my room as he gazed around and took it in. There hadn’t been a man here since my furniture had been delivered a few years ago.

He turned to me and his lip quirked in a smile. “Nice bedroom, Legs.”

Those three words sent my heart rate skyrocketing. “Thanks. I’ll, uh, leave you to it.”

I went outside and fired up the grill, then made dinner and slowly got myself under control. By the time he was done installing the sensors, the pork chops were done.

I motioned to Damien. “Dinner’s ready. And again, thank you.”

“My pleasure. And it smells delicious.”

He grabbed my little wireless speaker, this time putting on some vapor soul music. We gathered the plates and drinks and walked out to the back patio. While we ate and sipped margaritas, I told him about drug court that day, and Roland’s birthday weekend.

He laughed and shook his head. “That’s a birthday he’ll never forget. And they hired escorts? The kid has some balls.”

“Yeah, it’s funny if you’re not the little shit’s parent. Or his public defender, or drug court judge.”

“I’m not his parent or his public defender, so Icanlaugh. And they were busted by an escort.” He chuckled again and took a bite of pork chop.

I shook my head. “I’m sure the police officers who responded got a good laugh out of it too.”

“This is delicious. Where’d you learn to cook like this?”

“My dad and I used to grill together a lot. I like grilling and puttering around in the kitchen. It’s therapeutic.” I jerked my shoulder.

“My therapy is playing or watching sports and working out. Are you going to the gym tomorrow?”

“No. I usually go on Mondays and Thursdays. Then I try to take Gary out for a run or a hike over the weekend. What days do you go?”

“Either Monday or Tuesday, depending on how busy Mondays are. Then Thursday and Saturday mornings. Sebastian’s been missing a lot of Saturday mornings recently though.”

I smirked. “Gee, I wonder why?”

“Yeah, I’d miss a few Saturday mornings if I were him too.”

His comment sent an unexpected spear of jealousy through me. I didn’t like it and tried to push it away.

“Ditto,” I said casually.

He narrowed his eyes.

I cleared my throat. “My practice is busy, so I’m trying to get an earlier start in the mornings.”

He stood up with his empty plate. “Sounds good. I’ll race you on the treadmill on Thursday.”

“Just don’t hog the thigh master machines and we’ll be fine.”

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