Page 56 of Mr. Flirt

She winked at me and gently tapped my chest to placate me. “Whatever you say, big boy.”

“How was your day?” I asked, grabbing some plates from the cupboard.

It wasn’t until I started serving us both that I realized how familiar and reassuring things felt around her. Like we’d done this a million times before. I pushed the thoughts aside.

She’d made it clear that this wasn’t a love story set for the ages.

This was just going to be a few fun bang sessions sprinkled with happy thoughts and no commitments.

“Superb. I made sure Danni had all the weaponry she needed if her ex tried to take any actionable steps toward his threats.” She shook her head. “And I’m going to stop by tomorrow night to have dinner with her and her sweet angel. Did I tell you what my little goddaughter’s middle name is?”

Seeing the joy in Lucy’s gaze made my chest tighten. The emotion was so pure and wholesome.

“Shep?” I asked, smiling.

“Ha.” She giggled and shook her head. “Try Lucy.”

I nodded and took the tinfoil off the first tray. “That makes more sense for a goddaughter.”

“It has a nice ring to it, don’t you think?”

“I do. I love the name Lucy.”

And I could imagine saying it for the rest of my life in complete bliss.

“I’m glad you were able to help.”

She nodded, and a funny look came over her.

“What? Did I order the wrong things?”

Lucy laughed and shook her head, glancing at all four trays as I recited what was in each.

“No. This is pretty incredible. It’ll be enough to feed me for a month.”

I glanced at her, and she scowled. “Oh, who am I kidding? This would probably last me a day or two.”

But I noticed the same look fall over her features. “Did anything else happen at work today? You seem kind of...” I let out a breath and scooped some of the manicotti onto my plate. “Reserved might be the word.”

“Really? Do I?” She let out an exasperated grunt.

I nodded, walking over to the dining table.

She sat down across from me with a plate filled higher than mine and smiled. “You know what is so weird?”

“Many things, but enlighten me.”

“In a courtroom, I can control my expressions, my thoughts, my words, my movements. Everything is managed according to the situation, but when I’m around you, it’s like I lose control. My thoughts go all over the place. You manage to read my expressions with a quick look in my direction.” She squished her lips together in a delicious pout, and I had to laugh.

“I’m guessing that isn’t exactly a courtroom expression either?”

She let out a sigh and shook her head. “Not at all. But back to your earlier observation...”

Lucy stood from the table and wandered to the living room, where she bent over and grabbed a magazine.

My heart froze.

Damn it.

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