Page 72 of Tequila Tuesdays

“You ready?” he asked softly.

I smiled. “Yes. Damien, this is Olivia, my sister. She’s a little shit sometimes, so please take that into account.”

Olivia shook her head at my introduction. “Hi, Damien. I’d say it’s nice to meet you, but I’m reserving judgment.”

Damien’s lip twitched. “Good to know. It’s easy to tell you two are related.”

Olivia smiled like he’d just complimented her. We gathered our gear and threw it in the back of his truck. It had been a while since I’d been camping, and I missed it. The desert and mountains were therapy for me, and I craved getting outside and away from the crowds and noise sometimes.

On the way out to Joshua Tree, Olivia grilled Damien. “How old are you?” she asked.

“Thirty-three next month.” I’d have to find out his exact birthdate.

“How long have you lived in Palm Springs?”

“Around eight years.”

“Are you divorced?” she asked.

“No.”

“Are you currently married?”

Damien smirked. “Still a no.”

“Harley said you and a couple of your friends own a security and investigation firm. Do you make a decent living?”

I cut in. “Ollie, that’s none of your business. Just stop with the fifty questions already.”

“I think the saying is twenty questions.”

“Yeah, but you’re already way past that,” I retorted.

She smirked at me. “Are you afraid you might hear something you don’t like?”

“No, I’m afraid I’m going to reach back and strangle you, and Ava will be furious because it’s only your second day here.”

Damien turned to me. “I’m fine with the questions, Legs. If she asks me something I don’t want to answer, I’ll let her know.”

“Okay. But if she gets too nosy,I’llstop her.”

He grabbed my knee and squeezed. “Fair enough.”

Olivia leaned back and started in again. “Who’s watching your business while you three are away?”

I piped up. “Objection, it’s not relevant.”

Olivia leaned forward. “Itisrelevant. I want to know if he’s a responsible business owner.”

Damien smiled. “We’re paying two of our employees overtime to be on call.”

I hadn’t known that, but I was glad they’d all come.

Olivia hummed, probably trying to think of more questions. “Do you own your own home, or rent?”

Damien glanced back at her through the rearview mirror. “That’s a question an accountant would ask. I own a home and have a small short-term rental on my property.”

Olivia grunted in reluctant approval. “How many siblings do you have?”

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