I hit her in the arm jokingly. She got up to get a coffee and I sat watching her go, not quite able to shove down the warm feeling stealing over me.
* * * * *
It was nearing closing time when my purse rang. I was sitting behind the book counter with Duke.
I grabbed my phone, flipped it open and put it to my ear.
“Hel o?”
“Hey Sunshine.”
My heart fluttered.
“Hey Whisky,” I said softly.
“How’s your day?” he asked.
“Pure and complete lunacy. But I now know how to make espresso drinks. Yours?”
“We’re close to something. I’ve spent the day putting an operation together, we’re goin’ in tonight. It’d be good if you didn’t get shot at or attacked in the middle of it.” I smiled at the phone. “I’l do my best.”
“Good. Lee and Indy have got a key to my place. Ask her to give it to you. There isn’t much food in the house, there are delivery menus in one of the kitchen drawers.”
“Thanks, but Luke and I are going to Smithie’s tonight.
Jet’s sister’s debut. Maybe the gang wil go out to dinner before.”
Silence.
Then, “Sorry, I thought I heard you say you were going to Smithie’s tonight.”
“You did.”
“Roxanne,” his voice was low and discouraging.
“Hank,” I tried to mimic his tone and failed.
More silence while I suspected Hank fought for control.
“Did anything Tex said to you this morning penetrate that stubborn f**kin’ brain of yours?”
Hank obviously lost the fight for control.
“I promised Jet I was going.”
“I’m sure she’l understand.”
“Hank.”
“You aren’t goin’.”
I ground my teeth.
Then I said, “I’m going, Hank. Bil y Flynn is not control ing another f**king second of my life.” Another beat of silence then, “Shit, you’re stubborn.” I think I got to him.
“Damn straight,” I replied.
Then he said, “I spent al day tryin’ to concentrate on work, and when I wasn’t concentratin’ on work, I was tryin’ to concentrate on handlin’ your shit. Instead, I found I spent most of the day concentratin’ on al the ways I want to f**k you breathless.”