Page 32 of Flirting With Fire
It took twenty minutes to reach Bobcat Stump and park. A wave of dry heat hit me as I got out of the truck, and I was thankful I didn’t cycle here. I’d have melted. I was still adjusting to Charming weather compared to Chicago.
“Why are we meeting here and not in town?” I asked as Dex joined me.
“Because here we’ve got a chance of completing the business before the end of your break. In town, everyone is going to be coming over to find out what we’re doing.”
“We should have done this at the ranch if we wanted privacy.”
“I need a buttermilk bar,” he said easily.
“Are they good?”
“To die for.” Dex licked his lips, and I couldn’t help following the gesture. He pinked a little when he caught me staring. “But don’t have a pie.” The words came out a little breathy.
“That bad, huh?”
“Do you like eating sandpaper?”
I grimaced. “Thanks for the warning.”
I was going to have to run every day to work off all the cakes and sopapillas I’d eaten since I arrived in Charming. I was in peak condition as I’d worked off my post-breakup blues in the gym, but it wouldn’t take long to get out of the habit.
For an out-of-the-way coffee shop, Bobcat Stump was nearly always busy, and it seemed as if nothing had changed. The woman behind the counter waved at Dex as he walked in, then her eyes lighted on me.
“Meyer Jones as I live and breathe. I heard you were back in town…and with our Dex.” How many breathy innuendos could a person include in one sentence?
I forced a smile. “Hi, Alejandra. It’s good to see you again. It’s been too long.”
“Yes, it has. You should have visited me right away. You know I’m the only place to visit for pastries.”
I opened my mouth to tell her about the alien butts, then I caught Dex’s quick shake of his head. What was he trying to tell me? I shut my mouth, and he breathed an audible sigh of relief.
“Two of my usual, please, Alejandra,” he said.
“Coming right up, sugar. Grab that table by the window while it's free. I’ll bring it over to you.”
“Never mention Destiny,” Dex hissed as we headed for the free table. “She’ll throw you out.”
“But—?”
“We don’t talk about it,” he said.
I was about to ask for more information, but a couple aimed for our table, and we both sped up. They scowled at us as we beat them to it, and the middle-aged woman looked ready to fight over the space, but then her companion noticed my uniform and nudged her. They backed away without making a fuss and left us to it. Normally, I would have asked them to share, but I wanted to get the business of renting Dex’s cottage over and done with, and this was our first date—kinda—after all.
Dex grinned. “You’re useful for something.”
“Thanks,” I said dryly.
He handed me an envelope. “I printed this rental agreement. If this works for you, we can sign it now.”
I pulled out the sheets of paper and read it through. It was basic but would cover me as I was renting directly from Dex. I’d get my attorney to read it over too. He was an old college friend back in Chicago and had been my attorney since he qualified. We signed it, and I handed over a check for the deposit and the first month’s rent. Dex regarded the check for a long moment.
“Is everything okay?” I asked, concerned at his expression.
He blinked at me. “Huh? Oh yes, I was just amazed that I'm renting the cottage again. It’s like taking another step forward, you know?”
I did. Moving back to Charming had been very similar. Just then, Alejandra appeared with two huge chicken salad sandwiches, a plate of buttermilk bars, and large coffees. I dove into the food like I hadn’t eaten for hours.
Dex squinted at me. “Slow down, big guy. No one’s going to steal your food.”
