Page 72 of First Date: Divorce
“Probably a little longer.Not by much, though, and it takes us to the rear entrance to Jessa’s store.”
“Good.We should get around back, so we’re ready to start with Melody again.Let’s hope there’s time to look around and ask questions after this next session.”
*
Just as well K.D.didn’t want to go to the store yet.What would they say about last night?
Eric expelled a breath.Which he savored after last night’s wind-knocked-out-of-him episode.
He could imagine Cully’s comments about their lack of cooperation leading to getting marooned in a supply closet overnight.
And that would be a lot better than what Cully might say about how K.D.and he ended huddled together in sleep.
If Eric was stupid enough to tell him.Which he wasn’t.
But Cully had a way of ferreting out that kind of thing.
Maybe —maybe— the sheriff had a right to know about last night’s would-be investigative efforts.He sure as hell had no right to know how K.D.had turned in her sleep toward Eric in their few early morning hours in bed.
Which might not stop Cully from ferreting that out, too.
Even when it didn’t mean anything because she’d been fast asleep.
True, it kept Eric from sleeping, but that didn’t mean anything, either.
But try to tell that to Cully Grainger.
If he found out.
Which was less likely to happen if they delayed their first trip to Jessa’s store until they had something to report.Something to distract the sheriff from … other matters.
They’d returned to the back of the building and walked toward Izzy in silent accord.
As they greeted her, he noticed a man two chaises down with a tray on the table beside him, taking an item from it and beginning to peel.
Standing behind K.D., Eric took hold of her upper arms to shift her farther away from the offending fruit and block her view of it.
She resisted.“What are you doing?”
“Banana.”He finished the move as her resistance waned.
She started to look in that direction, stopped herself, and said, “Thanks.”
Izzy’s eyes brightened with curiosity.“Oh, you must explain.”
When K.D.finished a brief, light recounting, the woman clapped her hands to her chest.“That is so sweet of you, Eric.Looking out for K.D.that way.”
If K.D.thought that it was sweet, too, that probably gave way immediately to the thought that sweet moments between them were a mistake.
And she was right.
“That’s me.Knight of the Banana Order, reporting for duty.”He grimaced.“Mostly a habit.”
“Yes, such chivalry.”K.D.followed the sarcasm by turning toward Izzy.“I noticed what you said last night about the staff and their names.Lily told us her name — both of us.Is that…?”
“Oh, Lily.Well, yes, she does tell guests her name.She’s not a counselor, but she does enough administration and such that she’s part of the team.So, don’t worry, dear.That doesn’t mean she’s making a play for Eric.”She tipped her head.“Doesn’t mean she’s not, either.He’s quite an attractive young man your husband.”
“I’m not worr—”
