“You’re shortening my nickname.”

“I like it better.”

He rolled his eyes even as he relaxed. “Whatever.”

She laughed again, grabbing her keys. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell your next girlfriend about it. Your secret is safe with me.”

He moved toward the door and held it open.

She paused and looked at his hand on the door. “You don’t have to do that. Not a date.”

He flashed her a smile, liking the fact they were talking about seeing each other again. “I am a Stone. That is what my parents taught me to do: open doors for women.”

She walked past him. “I do have one condition on you having the photo.”

He pulled the door shut behind him. “What’s that?”

“I want you to tell me about those numbers sometime.” She lifted her brows. “Does it have to do with a treasure hunt?”

They were standing close, their mouths inches, centimeters, millimeters apart, and he wanted to brush his lips against hers. But he stepped back. It wasn’t right, and he wouldn’t screw up whatever was happening between him and Liberty. He moved to her car and held her door open for her before getting in himself. “Deal, and yes, it’s about the treasure.”

A huge smile brightened her face, and she started the car. “Perfect.” She backed out of the driveway, and they headed down the road.

“How about tomorrow, you come eat dinner with me and I’ll tell you.”

She gave him a look.

“Not as a date,” he hurried to add. “Just as two friends talking and eating.”

“So you’re offering me a distraction yet again?”

He hedged, not knowing if she was happy about that or not. “I guess I am.”

She flashed him a smile.

“What do you say?” he asked, growing lighter with hope.

“I say I’ll take it.”

“What time?”

“I have to meet with a bunch of people tomorrow about the house. The roof guy, the cement guy, the—”

He cut her off. “Five?”

“Five.”

He nodded. “Meat is good with you?”

“Yes,” she said tentatively.

He made a grunting noise. “Some man food.”

She let out a laugh, which encouraged him.

“You come over at five, and we eat, and I lay everything out for you about the numbers and the treasure.”

She got to his house and pulled into the driveway. “Ahh, are you sure we should do this?”

“The date thing?”

She nodded. “I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

“It’s not a date,” he said, stepping out. “It’s just eating together and talking about the treasure. It’s informational.”

A slow smile crossed her face. “I guess I’ll come, then.”