Page 48 of Rules of Engagement

Jocko

After a nice hot shower, I open the bathroom door. Jorja isn’t in bed, so I wrap the towel around my waist and look for her in the living room. She's dressed sitting on the couch with Lucifer. His head is in her lap, and she's petting him, talking to him. The look on his face mirrors mine. He's completely content.

When I enter the room, they both look up at me. “I hope you don’t mind. He looked so lonely in his cage.”

“He's got the big puppy dog eyes down pat, doesn’t he?”

She smiles and ruffs his neck. “Yes, he does. But he's such a good boy!”

Shaking my head, I walk back in to get dressed. She comes to the door to watch. “I was thinking we should go grab a bite to eat. What's your favorite food? Italian? Mexican?”

“American. I’m a steak and potatoes man.”

“Of course, you are.” She smirks. “There's Angelo’s steakhouse we could hit.”

“Sounds good.”

“I'll call ahead and make sure Lucifer's allowed.” She takes her phone and walks back to him on the couch.

Walking back into the room, pulling my shirt over my head, my phone dings. She glances at it but doesn’t say anything. But her expression changes and she bites her bottom lip. Picking it up, I see why.

Do we have a date tonight or not?

I need to know what to wear.

Sexy and available?

I walk over to Jorja. “Hey, whatever you just thought, let it go.” I wrap my arms around her. “Don’t assume the worst, okay? Let me explain. We have to be able to communicate, or this won’t work.”

She rests her face on my chest.

“Desi's a big flirt, but she's also an old friend.”

“Like Liv?”

“No, Liv is just a big flirt.” I laugh. “Desi’s a friend. I stopped by her place earlier this week because I need her help with Lucifer. He needs to socialize with other dogs. She wanted to hear some war stories and invited me, us, for a beer tonight at nine at Hooligan’s Bar. If you don’t want to go, we won’t.”

“That didn’t sound like I was invited.”

“Here, I 'll prove it.”

I text Desi.

BFF’s. See you there.

Jorja’s a lucky girl. Don’t be late.

* * *

Walking across the parking lot with Jorja’s satchel on my shoulder and the flowers in her hand, she tells me a little about what she did after high school. She shares that her mother married the next year and moved to Arizona. She rented the house from her and started working at the magazine instead of going off to college. She earned her degree working during the day and taking online classes. When we reach her car, I give her another long kiss, then open the door.

She slides in, looks up at me, shields her eyes with her hand, and says, “Are you sure Lucifer will be aright in the hotel room alone?”

I smirk. “I’m sure. He 'll climb up on the bed and sleep.”

“Okay, I 'll pick you up at eight then.”

I watch her pull away, standing there until she 's out of sight.

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