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12
Afew days later, Ian finished typing up his notes on his latest work assignment. While he was continuing to work Sofia’s case, that wasn’t the only assignment he was handling—especially since there hadn’t been any breakthroughs lately. He checked over what he’d written and was satisfied. Yep, he’d hit every point on the specs and commented on each. Relieved, he sent the document to Charlie, glad to be done with it. Paperwork, even virtual paperwork like this, was not his preferred activity.
Stiff from being hunched over his laptop, he rolled his shoulders and stretched his upper back. He needed a proper desk. He’d been meaning to outfit the spare room as a home office. With Sofia staying there, that idea was a no-go, but he did need to set up a space somewhere—for both their sakes. Working at the dining room table wasn’t a long-term solution for Sofia, either.
Both he and Sofia—seated opposite him with a pile of papers to grade—lifted their heads at the sound of the front door being shoved open. The way it hit the wall and then slammed shut told them it was Gavin, and that he was in a mood. Ian checked the time on his watch. This was early for his son, for a change. Ever since their blowout over Gavin’s discovery of Ian’s relationship with Sofia, he’d gone to friends’ houses straight from school and stayed out until curfew every day this week.
“Gavin?” Ian came out into the hall before his son could vanish upstairs.
“I was at Zé’s.” Gavin, his back to Ian, spoke as if he were answering a question. “You knew I was going.”
“That’s not what I was going to ask.” Ian ran his hands through his hair and took a breath. “I just wanted to know, seeing as you’re home at this time, what you feel like for dinner. I didn’t start cooking yet, but I’m thinking about burgers?”
Gavin grunted.
“Is that a yes or a no?” his father demanded.
“Not hungry,” Gavin said in a half-grunt.
Ian’s face tightened, but he tried again, keeping his voice calm. “I need you to eat something, Gavin. Do you have any plans for after dinner? When you’ve done your homework and studied for the history test, how about some popcorn and watching a movie? And look at me when I’m talking to you, please.”
Gavin turned around. “A movie. Sure. A comedy? How about Knocked Up? Or Three Men and a Baby?”
Ian’s temper slipped his grasp and the argument that followed was their worst yet. Only Ian’s phone ringing called a halt, because Gavin took advantage of Ian’s distraction to escape to his room.
“This isn’t finished, kid!” Ian called before grabbing his phone.
“Campbell,” he barked into the receiver. “Charlie. Yeah, sorry.” He blew out a breath, then straightened up at what Charlie had to say. “Oh? No, not on the phone. I’ll come in. Bye.”
“Ian?” Sofia, concern written on her pretty face, stood in the doorway.
“It’s nothing bad,” he hastened to reassure her. “Charlie has some info on the drug case that’s better discussed in person, and I said I’d go in. So—”
“So give me a minute and I’ll be ready.” Sofia capped the pen in her hand, then glanced up at him. “Because I’m involved in this too.”
“Yeah. Of course.” Ian shook his head at his own stupidity. “Sorry.” The latest round with Gavin had him on edge, not thinking clearly.
“It’s okay.” Sofia grinned. “I’m going to pretend you didn’t include me in because it’s a school night.”
She made him smile even when the tension from his fight with his son was still twanging his nerves, Ian acknowledged. “So, you fancy playing hooky, do you, Ms. Popov?” he teased.
“Ever since you said something about burgers, I’ve been unable to concentrate,” Sofia confessed. “You got me craving one.”
It wasn’t him who’d gotten her craving one, not exactly. Ian couldn’t stop himself glancing down at her still very flat stomach.
“And seeing as it was your idea, you’re buying.” Sofia’s smile was cat-like.
As always, she had him smiling too. “My pleasure. We can stop off for a snack before we go in to the office. I’ll tell Gavin and then we can leave.”
* * *
“Actually, I do feel a little naughty, being out midweek,” Sofia confessed as they drove.
Ian tightened his grip on the wheel against the images crowding his mind of what happened when Sofia felt naughty.
“I don’t usually get out much, midweek or otherwise,” she mused.
Ian determined to make even this simple meal special for her. “I do know a burger place.” He took stock of where they were in National City and headed toward East 9th Street. “I haven’t been there, but I’m told it’s good.”
