Page 87 of Here & Now

“I’m drowning in boxes, and I just banged my head on a kitchen cupboard.” Despite that, she was already feeling better from just hearing his voice.

“Are you bleeding? Do you need medical assistance?”

She laughed. “Are you a doctor in your spare time?”

“No, but I’d be willing to give you mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if you need it.”

“I’m drowning in boxes, not the pool, but nice try.”

“It sounds like you could use a break. Have dinner with me tonight.”

She scrunched up her face. “Sorry. I can’t.”

“Can’t or won’t?”

She didn’t blame him for asking, since her feelings had run hot and cold since the beginning. “I have a meeting tonight…with Scott Duggan.” She swore she felt him bristling through the phone.

“Tonight? Why can’t it be during the day like a normal business meeting?”

She’d wondered the same thing, but she tried to downplay it. “It shouldn’t take too long. Maybe we could meet up afterward.”

“Or I could join you,” he suggested.

She considered that for a moment, but then she decided she needed to handle this herself. He continued talking before she had time to respond.

“It’s not like I’d have far to go since you’re right next door.”

She winced. “We’re meeting at a restaurant.”

“A restaurant? Hold on.”

She heard a door creaking open and a loud bang as it closed. Then she heard the crunch of gravel like he was walking across a parking lot.

“Are you at your shop?”

“Yeah, I just walked outside. So, where are you meeting him?”

She hesitated for a moment, unused to reporting her whereabouts to anyone. She wasn’t sure whether she felt flattered or irritated that he wanted to know, but she decided it wouldn’t hurt to tell him. “The Mad Hatter.”

“Dammit! That’s where I wanted to take you tonight.”

“I wish I would have known that before he called.”

“I would have called you earlier, but the shop was swamped today.”

“Rain check?”

“Sure, but I have to say something, and you might not like hearing it.”

“I already know you don’t like him, but this is just business.”

He sighed. “Maybe for you, but—”

“I appreciate you looking out for me, but I can handle this, Zane. I’m going to the restaurant to hear what he has to say, and that’s all.”

“You’ll have your phone with you, right?”

“Of course.” He was starting to make her nervous.