Page 133 of Moonlighter

“You know it.”

A few hourslater I’m doing leg lifts outside Alex’s apartment, when the door jerks open. “Hey, Duff? You want anything from Hunan Garden?”

After her head pokes out of the door, it still takes her a second to find me, since I’m not in the chair, but rather on a yoga mat on the floor. She lets out a surprised little yelp when our gazes collide.

“No thanks, I already ate,” I answer, sitting up.

“You’re not Duff,” she says, leaning against the door frame. She’s wearing yoga pants and a pink maternity T-shirt that says “Loading…” on the belly, with a half-filled status bar running beneath the word.

“I’m not Duff,” I agree with a smile. Her hair is in a messy bun with a pencil holding it together, and I just want to take her in my arms and kiss her.

Which I will, just as soon as she gives me the chance.

“Really, Eric? Don’t you have better things to do than hang around in the hallway in place of my body man?”

“Not at all,” I tell her. “This is the highest use of my time. I can rehab while I look after you. And those are the only two things I enjoy, so…” I shrug.

Her eyes narrow. “It won’t work.”

“What won’t?” I rise from the floor and casually stretch my right quad.

“This little game you’re playing. I’mnotgoing to invite you inside. And then, you know…” She clears her throat.

“Invite meinside?” I clarify in a sultry voice.

“Eric!”

“That’s okay,” I say mildly. “I wasn’t expecting you to.”

“I’m working.”

“You and me both, honey. Let me know when you order that food, so I can intercept the delivery man for you and make sure he didn’t short your order. I take my work very seriously.”

“You’re teasing me.” She tries to cross her arms over that giant, wonderful belly.

“Not at all. Now go and order one of everything and I’ll get back to strengthening my muscles and keeping the bad guys away.”

She gives me one more grumpy look and then shuts the door.

I chuckle.

“I heard that!” she says from the other side of the door.

“Must not be working very hard, then.” She doesn’t reply. I’ve worked my way up to my hip flexors when the door opens again. “Back so soon? Did you miss me?”

“I placed my order. It will be here in thirty minutes.”

“Good to know.” I lift my T-shirt over my head and toss it onto the chair.

Her eyes widen, and then stray down my torso. “Is there a problem with the heating system out here?”

“No problem. I’m just more comfortable this way. Go back to work now, okay?” I bend down and pick up the dumbbell I’ve stashed against the wall, beginning a set of curls. “I’m not afraid to fight dirty, you know.”

“I don’t have the first idea what you’re talking about.”

“Then you’ll soon find out. Run along. You’re interrupting the concentration of the security personnel.”

Alex swallows. Then she closes the door and disappears. But I swear it’s not even ten minutes later when that door opens again. “Eric?”