Page 90 of Heating Up (Nugget)
“You know,” she responded, “I have no clue what its real name is, but it’s so good, right?”
Dana squeezed Aidan’s leg under the table, knowing that he didn’t like Indian food. He winked at her, and it struck her that they already had their own inside jokes. In a short time, they’d learned each other’s idiosyncrasies.
Harlee and Darla said their good-byes, leaving Aidan and Dana alone at the table.
“Another sale, huh? You’re tearing it up.”
“I’m definitely having a good summer.” Not just the sales, she thought.
He reached across the table and kissed her again. “Yeah, me too.”
“Did you work on the case today?”
“Sloane came over and we threw some theories around, but nothing official. For the most part, I hung out, did some laundry, and tidied up. I know how you like everything just so,” he teased. “Tuesday I’m back on for twenty-four hours, so you’ll have the place to yourself.”
“I don’t mind sharing it with you.” The fact was, he was a good roommate. Considerate, enjoyable, and not nearly as sloppy as he thought he was. “Tomorrow I’m meeting with Pat and Colin about my new house. They’re ready to start and have already submitted my plans to the city.”
“You feeling good about it?” He waved over a server to take their orders. They’d reserved a lane for seven.
“I am but nervous. I’ve never built a house before. There are a lot of choices to make.”
“You tell Colin what I said about the sprinklers?” When she nodded, he added, “And no candles.”
She frowned at him. “That was pretty stupid of me. To this day, I can’t believe I left it burning . . . and next to rags soaked in varnish.”
“If it makes you feel better, it’s one of the top causes of house fires.”
It didn’t. Leaving that candle lit had been the dumbest thing she’d ever done, barring Paul’s drowning. That had been unforgivable. Before she could respond, Sophie bustled over to the table to take their order.
“Hello. Sorry you had to wait.”
“Not a problem,” Aidan said. “How’s Lilly?”
“She’s good.” Sophie gazed around the crowded dining room. “But if I don’t get help soon, she’ll have to move in here with Mariah and me. I’m not complaining, but it seems like every day the crowds grow larger. Part of it’s summer of course. A lot of tourists. What can I get you?”
They both ordered, Sophie wrote it down, and said, “You’re probably sick of everyone asking, but anything new on the fires?”
“Nothing that I can talk about.”
“Can you say whether you think they’re connected?”
Aidan appeared to be considering the question. “Different methods, which I can’t go into, but too coincidental to make me think otherwise. The reason why I’m telling you this is so you can be extra vigilant.”
Sophie’s eyes rounded. “Do you think we’re next?”
“I’m not saying that. But I’d like you and your employees to pay more attention than usual. You own the building, right?”
Dana dealt strictly in residential real estate, but she knew Trevor Thurston owned a few of the buildings on the square.
“Mariah and I do, yes,” Sophie said.
“Who lives in the apartment upstairs?”
“Our cook, Tater.”
“Not when you’re busy like this, but at some point I’d like to talk to him.”
“Okay,” Sophie said. “I’ll let him know. In the meantime, I’ll get these orders in to him.”
