Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80555 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 403(@200wpm)___ 322(@250wpm)___ 269(@300wpm)
“No big deal?” He met my gaze, and his eyes held the memory of every case he’d seen go wrong. I had no doubt he was amazing in an emergency, but good luck getting this by-the-book paramedic to see birth as anything other than an emergency.
“It’s a big deal because it’s our kids having a kid,” I countered. “Speaking of, how freaky was that heartbeat?”
There was a long pause where Eric was either thinking or praying for patience before he agreed. “Pretty freaky.”
“I wasn’t around much for this part of Flo’s pregnancy with Diesel. The paternity testing came later, so it was cool to see Marissa use the fetal Doppler. Maren’s really starting to show now too.”
“Yeah.” Eric’s voice was far off, and I wished I could offer more than platitudes.
“They’re going to be okay.”
“Wish I could say the same thing for my nerves.”
Oh. There was something I could offer. Stress relief. I could totally get on board with that idea. “I have a solution for your nerves.”
Eric made a strangled sound, cheeks going pink. “There’s a house full of people…”
“Not right this minute.” I winked at him, trying to silently promise all the stress relief we could both handle later. “And I’m closing at the restaurant tonight, so I’ll be back late.”
“Hmm.” Eric pursed his lips, speaking slower like he was trying to reason something out. “It’s another hot day. Too hot to leave the dogs outside or even in the carriage house without AC. Let them stay over here. I’m coming off a hell of a shift, and they can nap with me where it’s cool.”
“I’d nap with you too,” I teased before sobering. “You okay? Bad shift?”
“Just long. Not much sleep.” Eric’s expression said he likely wouldn’t unload even if it had been traumatic, and why I wished he would was a question I didn’t want to examine too hard. “Anyway. Come by after you close the restaurant. You can collect the dogs. The rest of the household will likely be asleep.”
“That an invitation?” I studied him so closely that he shifted in his chair.
“Maybe,” he whispered. “My shower is bigger.”
“That it is,” I agreed easily.
“You could cool off with one here before you take the dogs home.”
“I could do that.” I kept my tone neutral while my gaze went hot.
Eric blushed and shifted again. “Even if it’s late, we’ll have to be…discreet.”
“My lips are sealed.”
Chapter Fifteen
Magnus
We were short a server, the cash drawer didn’t reconcile with the paper receipts on the first count, the vacuum had a clog, and by the time I reached Eric’s, I was almost a full hour behind where I’d hoped to be as the clock crept toward midnight. At least it was a weeknight. And surprisingly, Eric was back in the wooden deck chair outside the kitchen as I parked at his house.
“You stayed up?” I offered him a smile as I loped toward the deck. “I was hoping to be done earlier, but…”
“Life happens.” Eric saluted me with a bottle of beer. “And I told you, my sleep schedule is beyond wonky. I napped earlier, so I’m wide awake. Saved you a beer.”
He offered me a twin to his bottle from the table beside him. Pale ale, a decent local brand, bottle still frosty to the touch. He wasn’t merely out here enjoying the relative cool. He’d waited for me. My chest went full and tight.
“Brought you some smashed potatoes to go with it.” I held out the paper box with a plastic fork on top I’d been holding. “Still warm.”
“Excellent.” He saluted me with the beer again before accepting the box. “Cheers.”
I settled into the chair next to him, dogs sacked out between us, letting the cool breeze work its magic while he ate the snack I’d brought. I had no doubt we were both still interested in some sneaky sex, but neither of us seemed in any rush. Whatever this was had a maturity my past flings had decidedly lacked, and I liked it.
Stretching, I took a long sip of beer. Eric made companionable silence an art form, expression intent like he’d be happy to talk but body language relaxed like he didn’t require conversation either.
“I drove by my house. The scene.” I waved my free hand. Apparently, my brain had chosen to talk about the thing that had been on my mind all day. “Whatever. I swear it looks more forlorn by the day. I managed to get my safe and important documents a few days ago, but the insurance is taking forever to value the loss.”
“Typical. Are you looking to rebuild? Buy somewhere else? Move on?” Eric sounded curious yet nonjudgmental, unlike the other folks bugging me for answers.
“My business is here. My kid is here. That much I know.” I rolled my feet from side to side, taking my time to reason out my current thinking. “Saving as much as possible and using the money to travel more is tempting, but I’m getting old. Solo travel has less appeal these days. And I have the dogs. Rebuilding the house seems daunting. I’m leaning toward buying something different, but the way the insurance process is grinding along, you’re stuck with me for a bit.”