He nodded, then said, “Even so, I also know your piece hasn’t exited the chess board.”
This was true. Darius, Brody and I had another case.
I decided against speaking.
Ren held my eyes, then thankfully changed the subject.
“You workin’ Brother’s tonight?”
I shook my head.
“Good, then I can take you out to dinner.”
My heart squeezed, but luckily I had an excuse and it was not made up.
“I can’t. Girl’s Night In at Tod and Stevie’s. Jet’s wedding planning is heating up and things are getting out of hand. Her mother and soon-to-be mother-in-law are horning in, and Jet’s freaking. One word: bunting. You may not get that because you’re a dude. I’m a chick and I don’t even get it, but according to Tod, it’s a bride’s worst nightmare. Roxie’s also deep into the planning stages of her wedding, so Tod’s decreed there are a lot of decisions to make and tonight’s the night.”
To that, he immediately asked, “You workin’ tomorrow?”
I nodded.
He sighed.
Then he bent his neck and took my mouth in a kiss that was a whole lot better than the one I gave his jaw.
When he lifted his head, he murmured, “We’ll sort out another night.”
I again decided against speaking. Instead, I gave his arm a squeeze and threw another grin his way.
I broke free and executed a forced casual escape, calling, “Later!” as I did.
Ren didn’t reply.
* * * * *
One week later…
It was after a shift at Brother’s. I was in my Mustang with my phone in my hand.
I texted Ren with, On my way, then I tossed my cell on the seat beside me.
I was about to set my car purring, which would mean my radio would start blaring. This meant it was unfortunate timing because I could hear my phone ringing when, if it had happened two seconds later, I would not. Alternately, this could be considered fortunate timing, depending on how you looked at it, considering what would happen during that call.
Personally, I looked at it both ways. But mostly the second. What went down was way better on the phone than face to face.
Seriously.
See, I saw my screen said “Zano Calling” so I tagged my phone and put it to my ear.
“Hey,” I greeted.
“Hey,” he replied, then didn’t delay with laying it out. “Tonight doesn’t work for me. Tomorrow, you can get away, we’re havin’ lunch.”
Here we go again.
Him pressing for more. Me finding an excuse not to give it to him.
“I’m working Fortnum’s tomorrow.”