Page 85 of Doing Life

“So, what looks good, babe?” Lance asked.

“You.”

His cheeks heated, and a smile spread over his face. “You’re a flatterer.”

“Nope. You look amazing, and I’m so proud of you.”

He had to duck his head. “Thanks.”

“Now, on the menu, they have fried everything from pickles to shrimp, wings, burgers, chicken sammies, and salads.”

“Oh, man. I’ll take fried shrimp.”

“Cool. I’m going to get the catfish and some wings. Court always makes me ravenous.”

“I’ll share those with you.”

“Boneless honey barbecue.”

“Hell, yes.” Lance grinned, waiting for the server to take their order before asking how court went.

Sloan grunted.

“That good, huh? Damn.” Lance grinned, hoping he was facing the right way.

“You know, it’s my favorite part.” He felt Sloan groan and kind of wiggle and then heard the chair creak. “I have to tell you though, it was nice seeing you when I walked out those doors.”

“I wanted to surprise you. I think I did pretty good.”

“I think you did way better than pretty good, babe. I thinkyou rocked it. I mean, you knew right where the restaurant was, even.” The pride rang from Sloan’s voice.

“I looked it up on the computer, and they had a map. I downloaded the step-by-step instructions. I mean, I have my phone, so I could always get voice directions if I got turned round. But I found the restaurant and the menu. It had good reviews.” He felt Sloan’s approval, and he let it make his spine a little bit taller, a little bit straighter.

“Yeah, but you didn’t,” Sloan said. “I mean, you didn’t get turned around at all, and now we have a whole afternoon together. You’re the best reward for going to court ever.”

Flatterer. Lance liked it, though. It suited him to the bone. “If you weren’t in your uniform, I’d say let’s go out to the lake. Go take a walk.”

He was feeling brave.

And hungry.

“Well, we can run home and change, and then come back out this way. If you want to, I mean.”

Lance chuckled. It was a great idea, except that they both knew if they went home after having a nice big lunch that they’d get naked, fool around a little bit, and then just lie down long enough to cool off. Then they’d sleep for the afternoon, which actually, was not the worst plan on the earth. He thought he would take it. “Sounds good.”

“Maybe this time we won’t fall asleep.”

“Maybe.”

Not like it mattered. Long naked nap or walk by the lake—it was gonna be a good day.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Sloan fidgeted, his nerves fixing to get the better of him.

Was it ridiculous to be so freaked out about meeting a dog? Maybe. But this was the last one in the area that was available. Oh, sure, Sloan could have gone to the shelter and picked out a dog. And there was every chance he would do just that when he got back to Santa Fe.

Add to the pack, as it were.

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