Page 29

“Her neighbor.” Al crossed his arms over his chest. “And we share a very thin wall. So, I’ll ask again. What are your intentions?”

“To get a drink with a beautiful woman.” Shane’s eyes narrowed, and he lowered his voice. “You aren’t getting greedy, are you? Are your women of interest not interesting enough? Better not let Lindsey find out your eyes are wandering outside the show.”

Al’s lips tightened.Fuck,he was right. “Fine. But you hurt her, and you’ll be hosting with a black eye.”

Shane grinned. “How about this? I promise to only hurt her if she’s into it.” He snapped his brilliantly white chompers together in a mock bite, then walked off.

Al’s body vibrated with anger. He ached for his bed, but he supposed he could drop in at Susie’s Bar after his shower. But only because the crew was going and he was a team player. And then he could bring Jeannie home, since they would be headed in the same direction. He cracked his knuckles, feeling moderately better with his new plan.

Diane walked up to Al and rubbed his back. “What a day, huh?”

Al had forgotten Hunter’s family was so touchyfeely.

“I guess.”

“You working at the station tomorrow?”

“Yeah, I go in at seven.” He continued to stare as Shane drove off with his muffler rumbling loudly.Poser.

“Then you probably need to get some sleep. You know, I’m heading to the bar with the crew. And Hunter texted that Snow’s in town for the rest of the week. I’ll get her and Fawn to come out, too.” She tapped his back. “We’ll keep an eye on her.”

“Oh, I’m not, I mean, she’s an adult.” Al shrugged, stopping himself before he sounded like an even bigger idiot.

Diane laughed. “She is, but neither of y’all are known for making great decisions.” She waved her hand around at the production crew.

Al’s head reared back. “Hey, now.”

“You head home. Get some sleep so you can show up to work on time tomorrow and not piss off Christian.”

Al considered her offer. Pulling an all-nighter before a shift was a terrible idea. Not only because Diane was right and Christian would be pissed, but because the citizens depended on him to keep them safe. If he was tired, his reflexes would be off. He could make a mistake that could lead to someone getting hurt.

“Fine. Thanks, Diane.”

“No problem. We’ll make sure Jeannie doesn’t get into any trouble.” Diane laughed. “Unless she wants to get into trouble, if you catch my meaning.”

Al sighed. He caught her meaning, and that’s exactly what he was afraid of.

Chapter 22

“Well, lookee here, it’s the Bachelor Deputy. I sure hope you remember us when you start hosting shows on the Food Network.” An older lady with hair piled on top of her head in a bun sat behind the front desk.

“Impossible, Mrs. Williams. You know I’d never forget a beautiful woman,” Al teased. Apparently, Hunter’s sister Fawn had no interest in administrative work, but his mom was suffering from boredom with her empty nest.

She fanned her hand in front of her face. “Whew, with lines like that, I bet those ladies are tripping over themselves to get to you.”

Al winked. “You know I’m sworn to secrecy.”

She groaned, “Yeah, I know. Diane has been like a lockbox. Won’t tell me anything. I might bake some of Ray’s weed into a batch of brownies, then she’ll tell me everything.”

Al laughed and covered his ears. “Don’t say that here! You know Christian likes to play things close to the law.”

“Yeah, yeah. He’s got a prescription. Anyway, I’ve got scones in the breakroom if you want some. The ones with blueberries are mine.” She leaned forward and looked around the room, whispering, “The ones with … well I’m not sure what they’re with, but the bright orange ones are Marina’s.”

“Oooh, those sound like her sweet potato and turmeric scones. Not her best, but better than the spinach and matcha. Since I hate having women fight over me,” he raked a hand through his hair, “I’ll have one of each.”

“Get out of here, you rascal,” she said, laughing as he walked away.

Al waved to Nick as he made his way to the breakroom. After spending too many days hungry, he never turned down food. Even Marina’s.