Page 36 of Smooth Moves
Cash saw and raised a brow, but she ignored him.
“Come, let’s finish. I have a race to train for,” Heidi reminded them. Meaning she would be off for most of the next month while she geared up for a summer marathon she intended to win. “We have Wednesday off and two more moves scheduled for you guys for Thursday without me to help.”
“Good point.” Cash nodded. “We only have Heidi today and tomorrow. Let’s get this house done.”
The group broke up and headed back inside.
Cash always acted like a seamless addition to the team. Jordan watched him when he wasn’t aware, noticing how he fit in. He pulled his own weight, joked with the guys, and kept gossiping with Heidi about wacky housewives and reality TV.
As much as he’d hated all the drama his mother had indulged herself in, he didn’t seem to see the irony of his own interests. She had no intention of mentioning the comparison, but she wondered about his passion for chaos.
He seemed like an orderly type of guy. His handwriting was always legible and tidy. He kept his spaces at work neat, his locker too. She had no idea what it would be like at his home though. Thoughts like that had her heart racing, wondering if he kept his bed tidy and made. Or messed because he’d gotten some exercise between the sheets…
Someone cleared his throat by her, and she jumped, bobbling a box of linens.
“Easy, Scrappy Doo. It’s just me.”
She blinked at the sexy bane of her existence. “Excuse me? Scrappy Doo? More like Daphne, I’d say.” She looked him over. “I’d peg you as Scooby Dum.”
“Huh. I thought for sure you’d make me Old Man Smithers or something.”
“More like Miner49er.” She grinned, bemused that Cash knew about Scooby Doo of all things. She’d loved the canine detective and his friends as a kid, a passion that had never waned. Sometimes when her brother wasn’t around, she secretly streamed the old animated episodes, getting a kick out of them, especially as an adult.
“Hey, you two, quit flirting. We have work to do,” Lafayette reminded them as he passed by, carrying two boxes.
“No one’s flirting, Romeo,” Jordan hit back. In a low murmur to Cash, she said, “Quit flirting. I’m busy.”
“Please. You want me. It’s a curse being this fine.”
She tried to hide a smile. “Whatever.” She whispered, “Seven o’clock tonight. My place—for Rafi.”
He lost his smile and nodded. “Don’t worry. I’ll be there.” He paused. “You cooking?”
“Yes. Now shut up and get back to work.”
He moved back and in a loud voice said, “Yes, boss. No need to crack the whip on me.”
Finley snickered and made whip-cracking sounds. Which got everyone talking about who was really in charge of the team.
“I’m not getting any younger,” Heidi informed the team. “Hurry up. I have ten miles to run later today.”
Today, they all agreed.
Heidi was in charge.
* * *
Cash felt nervous as he approached Jordan’s door later that night. He had no idea why. It wasn’t a date. He hadn’t needed to go home and shower and change before meeting at her place for dinner. Bringing her a box of the chocolates he’d overheard her mention to Heidi was probably a stupid move too. But he figured she could use the boost.
No one knew better than Cash how family could cause you to lose it.
Reid, big surprise, was once again spending the night with Naomi. It didn’t bother Cash as much tonight though, because he had other plans. Like helping his friend and coworker handle a family problem.
He knocked and waited.
And knocked again.
“Hold on,” a young male snarled from behind the door.
