Page 108 of Lost Track

She exhaled a strangled sigh. “But Curtis was very clear—”

“Yeah, that motherfucker doesn’t run this house,” Leslie interrupted her. “He’s not my manager and he’s not yours.” He held her gaze. “Remember that.”

Leslie slid his hands into the pockets of his slacks and faced Dave. “Catherine said she’d be here in a couple hours. Dinner will be delivered at six. I will see you both tomorrow.”

“Where are you going?” Sabine asked.

“I have a date.” He booped her on the nose and then left.

“Are you scared I snore or something?” Dave asked.

She clenched her fists at her sides and turned around.

He was setting up his things on the table next to one side of the bed.

A small spiral bound notebook, two bottled waters, two prescription pill bottles, a phone charger, and what looked like a green lava lamp.

Were those snacks?

Interesting.

She shook herself out of it. She couldn’t get distracted by his adorable quirks.

“What ifIsnore?” she asked, still trying to quell the fear that Curtis was going to come storming in the door and arrest her.

He sniffed a laugh. “It won’t bother me. I can sleep through anything.” He straightened and gave her a thoughtful glance. “I guess I never considered it being weird. I’ve slept in the same bed as my friends lots of times. Does it really bother you?”

That made sense she supposed.

“I think Curtis just got in my head,” she admitted. “I have a complicated relationship with authority.”

His mouth softened into a sweet smile and he held his arms open. “C’mere.”

For a hug?

Oh.

She would love a hug right about now.

She slid her arms around his waist and pressed her cheek to his chest. He wrapped his around her shoulders and rested his chin on her head.

They held one another for several long breaths and she felt her tension ebbing away.

“This is nice,” she said, eyes closed and basking in his warm embrace.

“Mm-hm,” he agreed.

This she could do. Dave and his patient smiles and his laugh and his hugs and his silliness. But the things that came along with Sunshine Capone were more stressful than she had anticipated.

Still, they were both him. She couldn’t have one without the rest.

Leslie and Max seemed to cope with both. Maybe they could give her tips. She thought about Leslie’s comments earlier and wondered if maybe he was already trying to give her tips.

Dave let her go and stepped back. “Catherine will be here soon and I wanna shoot some hoops before she gets here.” He went to his bag and pulled out some shorts and a white t-shirt. “Would you like to join me?”

Sabine grimaced. “I don’t actually know how to play basketball.”

He flashed her a dazzling smile. “I can show you.”

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