Page 184 of Will Bark for Pizza
“Gee, thanks. I didn’t realize that.”
He wasn’t wrong. I hadn’t showered in three days. Hell, I hadn’t left the writing loft apartment in three days, except to take Husker out. And most days, I was lucky enough to have someone volunteer during store hours.
When I told the book club that I was finishing Mateo’s book—true story; I was—they all but insisted I let them run the bookstore while I stayed up here and finished. Bribing them with advance reader copies probably helped my case some.
Lotti offered to lock me in the apartment until I was finished, but, despite her cheerful tone, that felt a little tooMiseryto me.
“Promise me you’ll shower if I let you have this,” Luke said.
“Fine,Mom.”
We stared at one another for several beats, expressions blank. Slowly, a hint of a smile tipped one corner of his mouth.
“Youcansmile.”
“Don’t get used to it.” He handed over the coffee. “I thought you’d want to know that The Asswipe made bail.”
My muscles instantly tensed. I wasn’t surprised. Mommy Dearest probably bailed him out. But what did that mean for me?
“That took longer than I expected.”
“I want you to get a protective order, Kira.”
I bristled. Ihatedbeing told what to do. But in this case, he was right. And he wasn’t the only one saying it. Aspen, Alyssa, and Lila were in unanimous agreement. I didn’t think anyone who cared about me would let me know peace until I finally caved. And I was blessed to know that the number of people who cared was too high to count. Just another indication that moving home was the best decision.
“Okay.”
“I’ll go with you to the courthouse to file one,” Luke offered, taking a seat on the sectional. I sat too. “If you want.”
“You’d do that?”
“Why does that surprise you?”
“I don’t know. Because you usually act like you hate me. Or maybe it’s just your natural grumpiness. I can’t always tell.”
“I’ll always look out for you, even if you piss me off.”
“Such a sweet man. How are you still single?”Shit. I braced, waiting for him to frown. It wasn’t meant to be the jab he likely thought it was.
“It’s a mystery that’s stumped the world.”
I let out the breath I’d been holding.
“It was a long time ago,” Luke said, referring to his exleaving him at the altar. “I don’t cry myself to sleep about it.”
“Anymore?” I teased.
“Don’t push your luck.”
“Are we okay?” I asked him.
“Yes, Kira.”
“Hug?” I asked, a purposely cheesy grin spread across my face.
“Onlyafteryou take a shower.”
“Fine. After I finish my coffee.”
