Page 33 of Need You
“Beer, please.”
He sized up the open floor plan like she’d noticed he’d done the last time, taking it all in. “You keep it neat, don’t you?”
“I have a housekeeper.” She reached for a bowl on tiptoes and she felt him come up behind her. “I’ve got it.”
He pulled the dish down anyway, pressing against her back in the process. He was big and solid and she liked the feel of him. But he moved away all too soon.
The last man she’d been with had been Robert and he was definitely an ectomorph, thin with long legs. Colt was a mesomorph, classic athletic build. Muscular and strong. Mesomorphs had the most problems finding the perfect fit because of their V shape—wide shoulders, small waist. But she’d have no trouble fitting Colt.
“You didn’t come from work, did you?” she asked, and filled the bowl with pretzels.
“I went to Old Glory when I got off duty.”
“Again?”
He chuckled, clearly remembering that they’d seen each other there at lunch. “Yeah. I should probably branch out, but there’s no other place to play pool and the beer’s good. Since Boden bought it, he’s vastly improved what’s on tap.”
“Did you meet someone there?” Delaney hoped the question sounded innocent enough. Admittedly, she was nosy about whom he dated. A guy like him must be spoiled for choice.
“My brothers, Deb, and Hannah. I’m guessing you don’t play much pool ... or darts.” He said it like she was too snobbish to hang out in pool halls and dive bars. At least that’s the way Delaney took it and it miffed her. He didn’t know anything about her.
“I never had much of an opportunity to learn. Maybe I will while I’m here.”
He looked at her likeyeah, right, which only made her want to prove him wrong. “How’s the designing coming along?”
She inwardly groaned. “Not good. I’ve been working day and night—and nothing. I did order shades for my studio, though.” That’s about all she’d accomplished this week, besides fighting with Robert.
“Why do you think that’s happening?”
“I just keep hitting a wall. It’s as if I have brain freeze.” She poured them each a beer and slid his down the bar.
He nodded as if he knew exactly what she was talking about. “Maybe you need a change in scenery. What about taking a day off to go river rafting?”
Right now, time was her enemy. Taking a day off would only make her anxious. “What would that accomplish?”
“Sometimes I find being outdoors, communing with nature, or partaking in a little adventure frees me up.”
Freed him up from what? she wondered. The stress of being police chief? His music? But she got the sense his music was just a hobby. “I don’t know. It’s different for me. I usually find my inspiration in big cities, watching people, seeing the way they dress.”
He sat back down and took a slug of his beer. “It’s just a thought. If you change your mind, I’ll take you out. You said you’ve always wanted to go.”
Was he asking her on a date? She didn’t think so, but he was being awfully generous. And given the fact that up until recently their relationship had been less than friendly, she wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
“I suppose it couldn’t hurt. And if you’re willing to be my guide ... I have always wanted to try it.”
“Sure. Sunday’s my day off; we could do it then.”
“We won’t do anything crazy, right? Remember, I’m a beginner.”
He chuckled. “Nothing crazy, I promise.”
Colt’s phone chimed and he quickly reached into his pocket for it.
“Are you getting called out to a crime scene?”
“Nope,” he said, scanning the display on his cell and stuffing it back in his pocket. “I’m good.”
He looked up and their eyes locked. Something in his gaze made her catch her breath, then look away.
