Page 136 of On The Rocks

He sat next to me on the couch. “On a number of levels.”

I hooked my leg over his. “Now you have a dog.”

“And a girl.”

I grinned. “And a woman.”

“My bad.”

I leaned my head against his shoulder as we both watched the dog happily destroy the toy. Things weren’t going to be boring that was for sure.

We played with Elmer for the rest of the evening, even took him for a walk in the trees just as the sun was setting. Once back inside, we made some popcorn and decided to watchMiami Viceafter all.

Griffin didn’t have a television, but he did have a handy projector thing we used on the ceiling. The three of us were piled into his king sized bed and it was a pretty great way to end the night.

Sleeping, however, was a little more challenging. Elmer was stuck to Griffin’s chest, leaving no room for me. In the end, we ended up in a reverse spoon that actually gave me one of the best night’s sleep that I could remember.

I left the boys to their new morning routine, a little bit in love with both of them. I found myself whistling my way into work a few hours later. Annette was behind my bar refilling glasses from the washer.

“There she is. Where the heck have you been?”

“I’m not allowed time off?” I hopped up on a stool and dumped my bag in front of me. “You made the schedule, babe.”

Annette laughed. “Yeah, yeah. But even when I give you days off you never really take them.” She narrowed her eyes at me. “You have a glow.”

“I do not.”

“You do. Did you go somewhere with Griffin?” She slid a glass into the rack then turned around, stacking her arms on the bar. “Tell me everything.”

“I had stupendous sex. Almost bought a bar, but changed my mind, and I might be in love with Griffin.”

She blinked at me mutely.

“Did your programming go offline?” I waved a hand in front of her.

Her dark eyes filled. “You were going to leave?”

“That’s what you pulled out of there?”

“Well, duh I knew you were already banging Griffin like a drum. I would if given half the chance.”

“Nice.” I worried the strap on my bag. “I’ve had an idea for a bar for a long time. I thought I had the perfect idea to do it in Miami or maybe New York City.”

“What?” Annette hurried around the bar and climbed onto the stool beside me. “What?”

“You think I’ve been busting my ass all these years just for the money?”

“Kinda, yeah.”

I laughed. “I’d have way better purses if that were the case.” I pushed the hobo bag away and turned my stool to face her.

“It’s not like you tell anyone anything. How would I know anyway?”

I reached over and covered her hand then squeezed. “I didn’t want to jinx it.”

“Liar.”

How did this woman know me so well?

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