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Eventually, I was lured from my room by my nose and growling stomach because I’d blown past lunch. I found her in the kitchen with her back to me, her hair up in a messy bun, several tendrils falling down her neck as she swayed and hummed to the song on the radio while she iced a cake with the precision of a master craftsman. I leaned against the nearest wall and tucked my hands in my pockets, watching the show.
She fixed a corner she was working on, then licked the icing from her thumb. “Hope he likes chocolate,” she said under her breath.
“What kind of man doesn’t like chocolate?”
She yelped in surprise at my voice and spun around. “Oh my God! You scared me!”
“Sorry.” I padded over and leaned on the counter, wiping at my own chin, indicating where she had a little icing on her face.
“Oh.” She swiped it away and licked her finger clean.
“So, who is the mystery man you’re baking for? Do I need to do a background check on him? Because if we’re questioning if he likes chocolate cake, then I probably need to question everything.”
She simply stared at me like I’d sprouted a pair of horns. “You, actually.”
“Me?” I looked over at the cake, then back to her. “You made me a cake?”
She seemed suddenly shy. “Well, I made us a cake, actually. For dessert. I was hoping you’d have dinner with me tonight? Not a date or anything,” she hurried to add. “Just dinner.”
Every alarm that could possibly go off was blaring in my brain, plus its backup.
BAD IDEA!
SAY NO!
BUSINESS DOES NOT MIX WITH PLEASURE!
YOU’LL GET BURNED!
“Sounds good,” I said, warming as she smiled sweetly at me.
Did I mention I’m a stubborn son of a bitch who doesn’t listen to reason most of the time? Story of every fuckup of my life.
“Great.” She brushed her hands down her jean-clad thighs and blew the hair from her cheek. “I was thinking I’d throw some steaks and corn cobs on the grill.”
“What can I do?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head. “Maybe just tell me what you’ve been working so hard on all day.” She glanced over from grabbing some plates from the cabinet. “Or were you avoiding me?”
“Not at all. Just looking into the leasing and management companies for your dance studio, as well as cleaning crews and neighboring businesses, and going over the police report again.”
“Police report?” Steaks, corn, and seasoning appeared on the counter. “You got that back already?”
“I did. Kade has connections everywhere, including Huntsville PD, so I’ve got a copy.” I grabbed the plates and silverware to set the table. “Doesn’t say much we didn’t already know.”
“You don’t sound surprised.”
“I’m not.” When I was done, I turned to find her thoughtfully considering me. “You light the grill yet?”
“What?”
“Grill? Is it lit?”
“Not yet.”
I nodded, then headed out back to get the grill going for her.
She followed a minute later and stood beside me, her scent hitting me hard. “Why weren’t you surprised about the police report?”