Page 27 of Dining for Love

“A pet pairing?” It’s hard not to smile. “Well, Midnight here has enjoyed her stroll about town. She’s already famous with some of the other store owners, so don’t be heartbroken if one of them decides they want her.”

Goldie gasps. “You would never!” Then she leans back to Midnight. “Don’t listen to him. You’re stuck with us, you adorable little floof. Auntie Goldie will make sure of it.”

By the time I find my way to the counter, I’ve stopped to say hello to several locals I’m starting to recognize, and one that I definitely know.

“JJ,” I intone as the man raises his camera to snap a picture.

JJ smiles happily at the digital screen, not even bothering to make eye contact now that he’s gotten what he came for. “Hey, Officer.”

I step closer, putting my hand on the camera and lowering it to force JJ to look at me. He blinks, his eyes wide and, dare I hope, a little scared. I lean in and drop my voice. “I’d really like it if you’d ease up on the ‘new officer in town’ bit. Everybody knows I’m here.”

He nods, his throat bobbing. “Sure. It’s just, you see, news,” he says, his voice wavering. Then he gestures at Midnight. “Gotta give the town what they want, you know.”

I scowl. “No, I don’t know. How is this newsworthy?”

He’s saved from answering when Barbara bustles over and slaps a menu on the counter. “Officer MacKinnon,” she gushes.

“Just Reid,” I say.

“Nonsense,” she waves me off. “What are you going to order that doesn’t match what’s on the menu today?”

I glance at the window behind her just in time to make eyecontact with Willa. She’s not glaring, and she’s not flushed, so we might be making progress.

Although, if I’m being honest, riling her up is one of my favorite things to do. And I don’t care how I do it: Irritate her, fluster her with a well-placed wink, or even better, kiss her senseless.

Have I mentioned how much I’d really, really like to do that again?

Midnight issues a meow to rival all meows, her tiny little kitten body flexing with the effort. I look down at her. “She’s in the kitchen, girl. Can’t do anything about her just yet.”

I swear, the cat almost huffs.

Same, little floof. Same.

I lift a tiny paw out of the sling and wave it at Willa, who barely represses a smile before turning away to focus on the grill.

I’m waiting for Willa when she comes home later that afternoon. I call her name the second she’s in my sight, and damned if that woman doesn’t pretend to ignore me,again, and head straight for her house.

I jump up from my chair and grab Midnight from where she’s been exploring at my feet. Little girl has the heart of a lion until she sees a grasshopper. Then it’s game over.

“Oh, no, you don’t.” I jog up to Willa and lean against the doorframe, the very picture off relaxed.

She heaves a sigh. “Can’t I at least?—”

“No, you can’t go inside and get naked.” I deliberately choose the words most guaranteed to make her blush.

Sure enough, she delivers, the color rising prettily on her cheeks as she gapes at me. “Seriously?”

I smirk and hold the kitten out. “Midnight is yours now.”

“I heard that’s the name you gave her. Who said you got to do that?”

I shrug. “No one. And you don’t have to call her that, but when she’s with me, that’s her name.”

As anticipated, the edict riles her even more. She growls and stomps her feet, and I adore it. She’s so cute when she’s flustered. “Fine. Give me…Midnight.”

My smile is broad as she gently takes the cat from me. “So,” I start.

“Absolutely not,” she answers, not remotely interested in what I was about to say.

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