Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“So,” he said, ignoring my presence, “like I said, Wednesday night. Wing and beer night at Dusty’s. You interested?”
I gripped the box spring a little too hard, yanking it my way. Cal stumbled a little. “Not so hard, man.”
I shook my head. “Sorry, man.”
“I’ll have to see,” Casey said. “I’m starting with a new client on Monday.”
“Ha,” I laughed silently.
“Saturday is karaoke.”
“Oh, that sounds like fun.”
Dammit.
I lifted the mattress, not waiting for jerk Cal to take his end. I slid it onto the box spring. “There. Done. You can go,” I said to him.
He frowned. “I need the delivery slip signed, and I need my girl’s number so I can call her.”
I saw red. His girl.
I glared at Casey. “I’ll go get your cat. Then we need to talk.”
I stomped down the stairs, crossing the backyard.
What the hell was wrong with me?
Casey could date anyone she wanted, although in my personal opinion, she could do better than a delivery boy who invited her for beer and wings. I snorted. Or karaoke.
My steps faltered as a thought occurred to me.
What if that no overnight guest thing happened?
I hadn’t expected that so fast.
I walked into my place and headed to the living room. As Casey had said, Barney and Miller were curled up on the sofa, the cat asleep on Miller’s paw, his other front leg draped over him like a protective shield.
I blinked. Jesus. I go to work and come home to find my tenant already dating and my cat-hating-dog in some sort of bromance with one.
What the hell else happened while I was gone?
I wasn’t sure I wanted to find out.
Chapter Six
JESSE
Isat nursing a beer when I heard the quiet knock at the back door.
“Come in,” I called, knowing it was Casey.
She walked in, carrying a plate. “Hi.”
I nodded, not bothering to get up. “Finally coming for your cat?”
She set down the plate and came into the living room. She grinned when she saw Barney and Miller curled up together. “You said Miller didn’t like cats. Look at them!”
I shrugged. “Apparently not all cats.”
She narrowed her eyes, staring at me. “Are you okay?”
“Yep.”
“You look tired.”
“I always am after three days straight. This time, it was four. I’m beat.” I swallowed a mouthful of lukewarm beer. “Got your date lined up?”
She tilted her head. “I wasn’t aware I was going on a date.”
“With your delivery guy.” I indicated the wall that separated our living spaces. “Sorry I showed up. I’m sure Cal would have loved to help you test out the new bed,” I said with an exaggerated eye roll. I snorted into my almost-empty can. “Although I’m sure you can do better than a deliveryman.”
She stared at me, and I wasn’t sure if she was about to punch me or laugh in my face.
Maybe both.
She leaned down, her hand on her hip. “For your information, Cal is working part time as he goes to school to pay for his rent and tuition. His wife, Lori, is already working full time so he can get his degree. He invited me to go out with them and some other friends, as a group, since he knew I was new in town and thought Lori and I would get along.”
I lifted my eyebrows in surprise at her tone. I had a feeling that punch was coming next.
“And if you think I’d bed some stranger who delivered my furniture, you are a lousy judge of character.”
“Right,” I muttered. “My bad.”
She turned and picked up Barney, ignoring Miller’s low whine of protest and how unhappy her cat looked.
“I get you’re grumpy. But today, I would add asshole to the list.”
She turned, pausing by the door. “I brought you dinner to say thanks for helping and because I figured you’d be tired. I’m not going to take it back since I want to think you’re being an asshole because you’re tired. And because I’m a bigger person.”
She left, allowing the screen door to slam shut behind her. Then as quickly as she walked out, she burst back in again.
“For future reference, Thorne, I would at least wait until he bought me dinner and a drink before I let him help me test the bed. You might want to remember that.”
And then she was gone.
I set down my beer and groaned.
She was right on all counts.
I was tired. I was a grump, and today, I’d acted like an asshole.
A jealous asshole.
What the fuck was wrong with me?
I lifted the lid on the plate, staring at the food she had left me. Pot roast. Hot, fragrant, still-steaming pot roast. With potatoes and carrots.
Smothered in onion gravy.
Goddammit, I loved onion gravy.
I grabbed a fork and sat down, taking a mouthful of the meat. It fell apart as I cut it and was so flavorful, I slammed my hand on the table and cursed.