Page 45 of Heating Up (Nugget)
“The Fourth. What, all this real estate stuff make you forget it was a holiday?”
She usually just sat home and gorged on Calloway chocolate stars. “What’s there to do? Fireworks have been canceled on account of the dry conditions and the fire danger.” Of course he was aware of that already.
“I thought we’d grill and invite a few people over.”
He said it like they were a couple. “Hey, it’s half your house; you can do whatever you want.”
“Good. Then we’re having a party. Get a few of your friends to come.”
The only person she had to invite was Carol, who was in Santa Cruz. “A little late notice, don’t you think?”
“No. Not when free food and beer is involved. You can bet some of these guys will come.” He motioned toward the TV room, where a few men were sacked out on couches and easy chairs.
“My friends have busy social calendars,” she lied.
“That’s okay. We’ll make it a small gathering.”
We’ll. He kept sayingwe’llas if this barbecue he’d concocted would be a joint effort. She didn’t have any friends to invite, didn’t know any of his coworkers, and didn’t know how to grill. So what exactly was she bringing to this party?
One of the guys from the TV room wandered into the kitchen in a pair of Hawaiian shorts and a T-shirt that read, “Feel safe at night, sleep with a firefighter,” and gave her a slow perusal.
“I’m Hutch.” He stuck his hand out for Dana to shake it. “You the probie’s girlfriend?”
“This is Dana,” Aidan said, and Dana noticed he didn’t address Hutch’s question. “We’re having a barbecue tomorrow. Bring your girlfriend.”
“Yeah? I’ll bring beer . . . and fudge,” Hutch said. Dana thought the combo was rather random. “You live around here, Dana?”
“She lives with me.”
Not knowing whether to clarify that they were only roommates, Dana decided to stay quiet. Less complicated. “And you? Where do you live?”
“Glory Junction.”
“It’s so cute there.” Occasionally, she got a listing in the ski resort town, which was thirty minutes away.
“Born and raised.” Hutch tapped his chest. “My mother and aunt own Oh Fudge!”
“You’re kidding.” That explained the fudge offering. “I love that place. We have something in common . . . my family owns Calloway Confections.”
“Get out!” he said. “Calloway Confections . . . whoa, that’s on a whole different scale than my ma’s little business.”
“They both make candy. And both operations are family run. That’s the way I look at it.”
“Right on,” he said, and before Dana realized it, they were fist bumping.
She glanced over at Aidan, who shot her a grin, gathered up the sandwich plates, and took them to the sink.
“I better let you get back to work.”
“I’ll walk you out,” he told her.
As they headed for the door, she turned to Hutch, who had his head stuck in the refrigerator. “See you tomorrow.”
“Looking forward to it,” he called back.
Outside, the temperature had risen at least ten degrees, and Dana couldn’t wait to get out of her navy blue pantsuit. In the heat, the pants were starting to stick to her.
“You want me to make a Reno run tonight to get some food for the party?”
