Page 21 of High Side

“That too.” That had her grinning like a fool. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of just giving you to Joe.”

“Keep it simple, woman.” Brittany turned to face her, knee prodding her leg. “I’d rather get to know you like this.”

“Would you now? You think that I can keep up with you?”

“I think you’re a stud. And all heart.” She reached up to put a hand over Kylie’s heart. “I’ve seen it when you work. And when you’re with your crew.”

Kylie laid a hand over Brit’s. “I think that sounds pretty idealized.”

“What? Your dog adores you.”

“So did the Grinch’s.”

Brit giggled, looking so young for a minute. “True that. But his heart was able to grow all those sizes.”

“True, and he got to eat the feast instead of going to jail.” Which was still a little unreasonable.

“He did.” Brittany tilted her head. “Are you a campaigner for social justice?”

“What? Can you imagine those poor kids waking up to nothing on Christmas morning?”

That got her more chuckles. “I hear you. Sweet babies, abused pup, starving mouses.”

“That’s it.” Kylie snorted, then pinched Brittany’s leg.

“Hey! Ow!”

A timer dinged in the kitchen, so Kylie rose. “Come on, honey. Let’s go dish up some supper. I figure you can chop, right?”

“I can. Garden?”

“Yep. Lettuce, tomato, and onion.”

“On it.”

“Oh, I have an avocado too. You into those? I’m an addict.” She loved all things avocado, from guac to toast.

“I love them. I had the best guacamole in this little place in Santa Fe one summer. It was amazing.”

“Yum. Mine was California.” Kylie hummed when she pulled out the enchiladas. The cheese was bubbly and brown around the edges. Perfect. The smell of green chile always made her mouth water.

“That’s a great sound, and now I’m starving. Seriously. It smells almost as good as you do.”

Her cheeks heated, but it was totally with pleasure, not embarrassment. She made food noises. It was what it was. “Thanks. It does smell yummy.”

They assembled supper and poured wine, and suddenly Kylie was glad she’d bought her fancy outdoor dining table this spring. She had a place to take Brittany that was kind of magical, with fairy lights and padded chairs, her little hot tub out there ready to be fired up.

“Oh my God. This is glorious. Do you eat out here all the time?”

“I do. I just had everything redone. It was in sad shape before.”

“It’s so cool. A fountain and everything.” Brittany glanced around. “That the hot tub?”

Kylie laughed. “It is. I almost went bigger, but I thought, nah. Bears.”

“Dude. That would be hilarious, but probably expensive.”

“So bad. The neighborhood pool got hit last year. That crazy beast did three thousand dollars’ worth of damage.”