His back teeth ground together. “What he said—”
“Was wrong. But hitting him is just going to make it worse.”
Fuck, she was right. He knew she was. He scrubbed a hand over his face before meeting her gaze again. “I’m sorry.”
“Come on, let’s check the alley.”
The next hour was a rush of firefighters putting out the blaze and Barry, Cody, and Harper answering questions. When it was finally time to go upstairs, it couldn’t have been soon enough. Harper went up first while Cody locked up the bar.
He’d just secured the front door when Eastern called.
“Hey.”
“Cody. Is everything okay? I got the alert that there was a fire at the bar, but I fell asleep in Avery’s room so didn’t have my phone with me.”
“Fire was in the dumpster. It’s been put out.”
“Any suspects?”
Cody ran his fingers through his hair. “Travis was here. Forced his way inside while I was out back and Harper was by herself in the bar. She’s okay. I hit him though, and police took him in.”
“Shit. What a mess. You think the fire was his doing?”
“He says it wasn’t…but I don’t know. There’s too much going on right now, and I don’t like it.”
“I know, brother. We’ll get it sorted out.”
Yeah, but when? “Thanks for checking in, Eastern.”
“Always.”
When he reached his apartment, it was to find Harper already in bed, the lights dimmed. He took a quick shower before sliding in behind her and pulling her against him.
“Still mad?” he asked quietly.
“I was never mad. Just…tired.”
Tired…of what was happening? Or more? “You know what we need?”
“What?”
“A date.”
There was a small pause before she spoke. “We’ve been on a date.”
“Not to Sugar and Spice or to the mountains. To dinner. Just you and me. Let me wine and dine you.”
She looked over her shoulder, a slow smile curving her lips. “I’d like that.”
“Good.” He kissed her. “Sleep.”
CHAPTER 23
The Italian restaurant was busy, particularly for a Monday night. But that wasn’t what had her attention transfixed. It was the white collared shirt Cody wore, with the top two buttons undone and showing just a bit of skin. It was the way that even though the shirt was loose, there was no denying the muscles beneath.
Man, he looked good.
“You know I don’t need fancy, right?” she finally said, almost wanting to squirm under his watchful gaze across the table.
