injured. I’m zero for two with you, Albertini.” He glanced at the flowers. “You don’t have a crush on me or anything, do you?” His face filled with a nice color. “You’re cute, but you’re not my type.”
“No.” I flopped into the chair, keeping my arm across my ribs as I did so. The doctors were right that it would hurt bad today. It did. Though I’d slept great knowing Jareth Davey was states away. Well, the pain killers didn’t hurt, either. “You’re probably the only new guy in my life I’m sure about. You and I are going to be great friends.”
He rubbed his buzz cut. “That might be too dangerous.”
“I’ll invite you to a barbecue or something where my sister Donna is in attendance.”
He sat up—and I swear—his chest puffed out. “Well, I guess that’d be okay.”
Yeah. I’d figured out his type. Classic and beautiful Italian woman. Donna. “It’s a plan, then.” I stood and tried not to wince. “Thanks for everything, Bud.”
“Sure thing.” He turned back to the game on the television.
I grinned and moved carefully out of the room, before driving just as carefully home. Spring had finally arrived, again, and the sun set over a sparkling blue lake. I wandered into my quiet bungalow, feeling a little lonely for some reason.
My phone buzzed with a text from Detective Grant Pierce: Hey. I hope you’re feeling better. How about I take you to dinner tonight—a mellow one—and we make up for the date we lost? No pressure.
Interesting. The cop was a hottie, that was for sure. I liked that he was older than me. I started to make tea.
The second text came in—this one from Nick—as the water was boiling: Hi, Albertini. We nailed that case. How about I take you out for a nice drink to celebrate tonight since you took the day off? Just low key. Let me know.
Hmm. Nick Basanelli. Sex on a stick of Italian ambition. Yeah, he’d be fun to date. The kettle whistled, and I poured water into the cup.
The next text came in right as I was dunking the tea bag, and of course, it was from Aiden: Hi, Angel. I enjoyed last night and thought I should let you know that I don’t share. If you’re in my bed, or I’m in yours, we’re solo. I know I have a lot to tell you, but I can’t right now. So how about we just get together, and I bring over dinner?
I sipped my tea and thought it over. Who’d have believed that a few weeks ago I’d be here right now? Three very different and interesting men, each one a risk in several ways to me. I wasn’t a risky type of person and never had been. Although, a girl did have to live a little.
There was really only one answer for what I needed. I pulled the Bailey’s cheesecake out of the freezer and dashed off several texts to people before tossing my phone aside.
Then I strode for my bedroom to put on exactly what I needed for the night.
Twenty minutes later, I arrived at Donna’s cute Craftsman house in the older part of town, cheesecake in hand. I walked inside.
She looked up from laying colorful pillows in front of her cream-colored sofa and laughed. Her green silk pajamas appeared decadent, and I’d have to get myself a pair. “Tell me you did not wear your pajamas to drive over here.”
I looked down at my duck-covered leggings with matching top. The penguin slippers might have been a bit much. “Yes, I did.” I set the dessert on the kitchen’s island and headed her way.
Tessa came out of the guest bathroom, already wearing her flannel pajamas with her hair up in a high ponytail. Knowing me, she tossed me a holder, and I yanked my hair up and out of the way.
Donna opened her credenza to reveal the big television set before pulling out the X-Box and three controllers. Mine was bright purple with unicorns across it, hers was green and sparkly, and Tessa’s was a flashy yellow with a drawing of some Celtic knot. “All right,” Donna said. “I ordered pizza. The first to lose this game pays.”
I scooted her way and sat on the middle pillow, which was a dark blue. My pillow.
Donna gracefully sat on my left on the green pillow, while Tessa flopped down on the yellow pillow.
Tess snorted. “Your Aiden pillow. Is it still your Aiden pillow?”