“So… how’s it going with Sam as your tenant?”
Finn’s voice is full of suggestion. I can’t tellwhathe’s suggesting, but it’s undeniably something.
“Don’t see her much.”
Dec is silent next to me, and Finn raises one thick brow. “Ya sure did see her just now. What color are her eyes?”
“Brown, but more. Or maybe hazel with—” My mouth snaps shut.
Dec and Finn exchange anothermeaningful look.I force myself not to roll my eyes, but annoyance roots deep.
“So who’s going to dinner tomorrow?” Dec cuts Finn off before he can say anything else, likely saving me from another smartass comment.
“You know I’ll be there. Free food.” Finn shrugs like it’s that simple. Like he’s twenty and not a thirty-year-old man still eager to take whatever his parents will shell out.
“The girls and I will be there, as always.” It’s a standing dinner, but not everyone makes it every week. Eirinn and Davis have been hit or miss lately, and even May has been sporadic.
“Me, too.”
Dec smooths the edge of the white paper napkin his water sits on, adjusting the glass so it sits perfectly centered on the sheet. He’s got something going on in that big brain of his, but it’ll be a while before he formulates it into words. Asking won’t do any good. He’s locked up tighter than he was before he was in the Army or even during his service. Since he got back six months ago, he’s eased up a little but he still strikes me as particularly uptight.
“Here we go, guys.” Sam delivers our order and slays me with a smile when we all say how good everything looks. “Did I get everything right? If not, just let me know and I’ll fix it.”
“Looks perfect.” I don’t know why my heart is thudding around in my chest, but it is, doubling as her smile widens.
“Can I put in an order to take with me when we go?” Dec asks before she leaves.
“Of course.” Pen at the ready, she nods.
Her lashes are long and dark. She has freckles along thebridge of her nose, her cheeks have a slight flush to them, and even her nose is perfect.
“This for Evie?” Her voice snaps me out of it, or maybe it’s Finn kicking me in the shin like we’re kids.
Dec answers, clearing his throat. “Yes. I told her I’d bring her lunch.”
No other explanation, butthatwhole situation has me wondering if Evie’s what he’s overthinking over there.
“That’s so kind of you. She’ll love it.”
“Am I going to see you at family dinner tomorrow, Sam?” Finn waggles his stupid eyebrows like he’s charming.
Idiot.
She huffs a small laugh. “Sadly, no. Evie and I are actually having a little girls’ night.”
“Aw, our loss. But you ladies have fun. And feelfreeto call me if you guys need your hair braided or a massage or—ow!”
To my utter delight, it’s Dec who kicks Finn and shuts him up. Sam excuses herself with a chuckle and goes to put in Evie’s order, and then Finn and I turn our attention on Dec.
He just frowns. “Don’t say a word. She’s a single mom and she’s had a rough few days. I wanted to do something nice.”
“Evie’s a good woman. She deserves anything you can give her,” I affirm.
Finn snorts. “I’m sure he’d love to give her?—”
I smack him upside the head before he’s finished the thought. “Don’t be crass.”
Dec is stone-faced. “She’s my employee and I respect her. I care about her, as I do all my employees.”
