Page 35 of Thinking It Over

“I expect he is. He usually parks off to the side of the house.”

A small flip of nerves jostled in my stomach. I wascurious about the man, but he was also the only person who had a relationship with Austin outside of work that I knew. Or would hopefully know as soon as we got the proper introductions over so my unease could settle down.

Austin was right. Amped up didn’t come close to describing Penny’s reaction to the two of us entering the house.

She all but bowled me over as she raced through my legs, did a loop, and continued squeezing through my now parted legs four times. Austin pulled away as she attempted a fifth lap, scooting down and showing her affection. I followed suit, petting her and totally not making smoochy baby noises at her.

Austin grinned at me, and I rolled my eyes and shrugged, not caring too much that I hadn’t held back. Penny was an awesome dog and deserved all the loving.

“Come on.” Standing, Austin held his hand out to me and tugged me up. Hand in hand, we headed to the kitchen where the sounds of a radio played.

Billy had the oven door open and a dish in hand when we entered. His smile was warm and welcoming, taking me by surprise. From his stern face and reaction to Rupert last weekend, I was expecting a gruffer welcome, possibly one filled with suspicion.

“Hey,” Austin said. “Smells great in here.”

“You better believe it,” Billy said, his voice deep and friendly. “Give me a second.” He turned and placed the dish in the oven as we headed further in the room, Austin releasing my hand to tug off his tie.

A moment later, Billy turned back, his eyes on me. “A proper intro is needed, I think. We never got the chance last weekend.” He extended his arm for me to shake his hand. I did so immediately. “Good to finally meet you, Jasper.”

Ease settled through me at his genuine friendliness. “You too, Billy.” I released his hand before saying, “And it really does smell good in here.”

Kind eyes peered back at me. “Well, I made enough for the two of you, even enough for seconds.”

“Thank you. Sounds great.”

He bobbed his head and turned his attention to Austin. “I’m heading out. I’ve put the timer on the oven for you. I also reached out to a couple of contractors. Both are able to come this weekend, one first thing in the morning, the other on Sunday morning so you can walk them around and then make your decision.”

As Austin placed his jacket on the table, he nodded. “That sounds great, thanks. I’ll get it sorted out and then let you know what I decide. Plans this weekend?”

I listened in interest, trying to get a better read on Billy as he caught Austin up with his plans. He reallywas a good-looking guy, toned, fit, looked around the same age as Austin. But he really didn’t look like a cop. I would never have picked that out as a past career for him, but then again, he broke every stereotype imaginable for that of housekeeper slash dog-sitter slash… heck, I wasn’t sure what else. But regardless, he seemed to be relaxed, to like his job, and be super-efficient.

“Right, it was nice meeting you properly, Jasper. No doubt I’ll see you around, based on the moping that’s been happening around this place.” Amusement danced in his eyes.

“Well, I’m not quite sure I’d say moping,” Austin said, drawing my gaze to his. The grin looked good on him, and I forced my feet to remain in place and not walk into his space and kiss the hell out of the man. Austin’s gaze searched mine, and he lost a little of his grin under my scrutiny. I wondered whether he felt the pull as much as I did.

“And that right there is my cue to leave.” Billy’s voice cut through the invisible thread tugging me toward Austin. He chuckled.

Pulling my gaze from Austin’s, I saw Billy had already moved, keys in hand. At the door, he waved over his shoulder, and I remembered my manners enough to call out goodbye to him, Austin’s delayed reaction similar to my own.

Alone, I eyed the oven, then flicked my gaze to Austin. “Is that timer just an alarm, or does it turn the oven off?”

Heat flared in his eyes, and the gulp that followed sent my nerves flying high. “Unfortunately, it’s just an alarm.”

“Typical,” I said with an eye roll before laughing lightly.

“I’m due a new oven,” he said, stepping into my space. “That feature needs to be a new priority.”

I chuckled. “It would prove useful.”

“You think?” Warm breath brushed across my skin when he spoke, the contact making goose bumps break out over my body.

“Uh-huh, definitely.” I wet my bottom lip, far too aware of his closeness and how easy it would be to get lost in this man. I wanted that desperately, but—

“Shall we grab a drink, a ball for Penny, and talk about last weekend?” He beat me to it.

Appreciation that he understood the importance of us talking this out warmed me. The concept was pretty alien to me, too, never having been in a situation where feelings, especially involving an ex, were needed to be discussed to clear the air. But I’d been brought up in an open and honest family, where some stuff simply wasn’t sacred, even though I’d wished some things were when I was thirteen and had walked in on my parents going at it. The conversations that had followed had been the stuff of nightmares. I shuddered internally at the memory.

Both my parents had been full of love and offloading angst and frustration. And on the whole, it had worked. They’d been happy and in love, so who was I to question it?

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