“We could,” Ace said slowly, “but I think Christian would rather do tuxes.”
“Fine by me,” Amka called cheerfully, pouring into two martini glasses and sliding them toward Daisy.
“For now,” Ace said, tightening his hold on May’s hand, “let’s have a dinner date. Amka, may we sit over there?”
Amka looked at them with open amusement. “You can sit wherever you want.” She reached for a highball glass. “You know we just have bar food, right?”
“I love bar food,” May said.
“Rudolph is one of the best cooks in the state,” Ace shot back.
“That’s right,” Rudolph yelled from the kitchen.
May grinned. “He has good ears.”
“I’ll make you whatever you want, Ace Osprey,” Rudolph called.
“There you go.” Ace guided May toward a quieter table on the other side of the bar, near the windows. “See? Dating me has its perks.”
She laughed softly as they sat, the firelight catching in her hair, and for the first time that day, the noise in his head settled into a rhythm that felt almost steady.
Chapter Twenty-Two
May sat back in her chair, pleasantly full. Rudolph had gone all out with thick steaks seared just right, the edges crisp and the centers tender, alongside sterling potatoes swimming in butter and herbs. The scent of rosemary and garlic still hung in the air around their table, mixing with woodsmoke from the fireplace and the yeasty smell of beer.
She set her napkin on the table and let out a satisfied breath. “I think that was one of the best dinners I’ve had in a while.”
Ace leaned back, one arm draped over the back of his chair, watching her with that slow, pleased look that made him appear sexy and satisfied all at once. “Not as good as breakfast, though, right?”
She smiled. “Yeah, your breakfast was amazing.”
He caught her hand again, his thumb brushing across her knuckles. “Are you coming home with me tonight?”
“Well…” She hesitated. This all felt too right, and that was terrifying. “I don’t have electricity, so maybe?”
His green eyes warmed on hers. “You actually do have power, but I’d still like you to come home with me.”
She blinked. “My power is back on? Did you go by my place?”
“I did.”
That was fantastic. “I didn’t think it was supposed to be back on for a few days.”
“It’s not,” he said casually. “You’ve got a generator now.”
Her mouth actually fell open. “I don’t have a generator.”
“You do now.” He didn’t even flinch. “It’s hooked up. Automatic transfer switch and everything. When the power goes out, it flips on.”
“Ace.” She had to get his full attention.
He studied her. “What?”
“You can’t buy me a generator.”
“Why not?”
How could she explain this? “Because it’s too much.”
