Page 33 of Dining for Love

He waits for me to go inside, and I hear his next words through the door. “Lock the door.”

I do as he asks, then pull the curtain to watch him walk away. The man has an incredible butt.

Later, after I’m tucked into bed, I get a text from Reid. It’s a picture of Midnight on a pillow, curled up like a little fuzzy black ball on what must be Reid’s bed. Then, another text comes in behind it.

Reid

Midnight says goodnight.

More dots pop up, and in moments, I have a third text.

I’d prefer you to be on this pillow.

I squeal, kicking the covers and squirming. How is this real life? How? Just…how?

I heart the picture of Midnight and type back.

Goodnight, Reid.

Reid

Goodnight, Just Willa.

Chapter 11

Reid

UNCLE JACK CALLS me into his office on Saturday morning. I’ve been in town and on the job for three weeks now, and I’ve been expecting an update from Miami. He waves me to close the door and have a seat, which I do. Then he puts the phone on speaker. “Muñoz? I’ve got him.”

“Hey, Chief.”

“MacKinnon,” comes Chief Muñoz’s voice, booming and strong as always. “How’s Lucky treating you?”

“Good. Quiet,” I answer. “It’s a nice change of pace.”

He laughs. “I bet.”

“You got news?” May as well get to it.

“DA says we have enough evidence to charge your contacts in the Bunnies. We got one in custody still, and plan on grabbing the other two this week. DA thinks it’s enough to put them away. It’s a big step, MacKinnon. We wouldn’t be here without the work you did.”

I nod, meeting my uncle’s eyes. “Thanks, Chief.”

“How’s your recovery?”

“Good.”

“Doing yourphysical therapy?”

I chuckle. “Every morning before my run.”

“Excellent. We want you at 100 percent when you get back. You’re missed around here.”

I startle. I don’t know that the man has ever said anything so…emotional. “Sure thing.”

We hang up, and my uncle regards me, stroking his mustache and studying what feels like every inch of me. When I’m nearly ready to squirm, he finally speaks. “You know, you have a job here if you want it.”

I open my mouth to tell him no, but something stops me. Which is ridiculous. But what’s not ridiculous is the way images of Willa flit unbidden across my mind. A woman I am definitely interested in, and a woman who absolutely will not be heading back to Miami with me—no matter what her friends and family might want to happen. I may have only known her for a couple of weeks, but it’s clear to me she won’t leave this town. And I wouldn’t ask her to.

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