Page 39 of Cisco

He wasn’t really, and he’d use every bit of charm in his arsenal to wear Hilly down sooner. But she didn’t have to know that.

A huge sigh escaped her, and her shoulders went from up around her ears, to back where gravity intended them. “Right. That would probably be for the best. I…like you, but I’m very focused on my job, and want to bring the best experience possible to my campers without distractions that could impede my program.”

“I understand,” Cisco answered sincerely this time, liking that she viewed him as a distraction. “Just know this. I’ll abide by your rules, but I’m still interested.”

A shy smile broke over her lips as she dipped her head. “I’ll take it into consideration.”

That was something. At least she hadn’t completely shut him down.

He opened the door, giving her his brightest smile as he stood back to let her leave. “Thanks for lunch,” he said, then winked, “and for dessert.”

Yeah. He had to throw that in.

She flushed again, then mumbled something before she fled his foyer and practically ran the entire distance down the walkway to her car.

Cisco stood watching. He wasn’t sure how he’d rate their afternoon’s interaction. “A” for effort, “A” for that stellar kiss, but a “C-” for nailing down an actual date?

Cripes. He’d have to work on that.

He waved as she pulled from his driveway, then closed the door behind him, leaning back against it, contemplating the skittish woman some more.

Something clearly had Hilly doubting herself, and doubting his sincerity. Cisco just didn’t think it was all due to one shitty boyfriend in college, as she’d insinuated. Oh, the prick may have added to her insecurities, but they seemed more deep-rooted than that.

Cisco pushed himself off the door, knowing he had to clean up the outside table, even though his energy had plummeted. He made quick work of trash removal, then walked back inside toward his couch and flopped down. Maybe after a little rest he’d dig further into the anomaly that was Hilly.

Cisco woke with a start. It was dark outside, and his doorbell was ringing.

Shit. He’d been out all afternoon, and most of the evening. He sat up quickly and winced. Clearly the wound was already starting to knit, and it was pulling like a bastard with his sudden movement.

A little more gingerly, he eased himself off the couch, reaching up to run a hand through his smooshed curls before bringing his palm down to his face where he breathed into it, then sniffed.

Yup. Nap breath. But there was nothing he could do about it right now.

He opened the door, and…

“Aunt Suze, Uncle Frank. Come on in.” he backed up. “This is a surprise.”

His precinct chief—i.e. Uncle Frank—gruffed out a response. “You think your aunt would take no for an answer once she found out what happened to you?”

Aunt Suze gave Frank a little cuff on the arm. “Right. Like you weren’t worried to pieces as well,” she admonished.

“Okay,” Uncle Frank admitted without putting up a fight. “I might have been a little concerned. How are you feeling, Cisco?”

“A bit stiff. Even more achy. But not bad, considering.”

Yeah. Things could have gone way more sideways.

Cisco invited his long-time family friends, in. “Why don’t you have a seat and I’ll be right back. I just woke up from a nap, and I need to brush my teeth.”

“Take your time, dear,” his Aunt Suze told him, and that’s when he noticed the tote she was carrying. “I’ve brought dinner, and if it’s alright with you, I’ll set things up on your table.”

“Sounds great,” Cisco said, enthusiastically. Yup. His stomach was growling. He hoofed it down the short hall.

“If you’re not too tired,” she called out after him, “we’d love to join you for the supper I brought.”

Cisco knew his uncle would want all the dirty deets on how the operation had gone down yesterday, even though he’d probably reviewed the available video at least a dozen times, and interrogated Mason. Cisco was touched at both their concerns’.

“Stay,” he yelled back before ducking into the bathroom.

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