“Maybe not. But you thought it.”
He didn’t deny it. “Does that bother you?” he asked.
“Only if it still applies.”
“It doesn’t.”
“Ah, a convert,” she teased, but warmth spread through her. His belief in her meant something.
He gave her a look that wasn’t quite reluctance, but close. “There’s one more thing.”
“All right,” she said carefully.
“I may have… volunteered you for something.”
Her brows lifted. “That sounds ominous.”
“Cheyenne’s cat,” he said. “Her aunt can’t take him to California. The kid was falling apart over it.” He paused, watching her reaction. “I told her you’d look after him until they’re settled.”
Erica stared at him, unsure if she’d heard right. “You volunteered me to cat-sit for an unknown period of time?”
“Yes,” he said simply. “I’ll take him myself if you say no. But this is his neighborhood. It’s familiar. More importantly, he already trusts you. And she does too.”
She stared at him, the absurdity and tenderness of it hitting at the same time. “You’re lucky I like cats.”
The tension in his shoulders eased, and a sheepish smile curved his lips. “I was counting on that. Thank you. For helping her. And for helping Whiskers.”
“Honestly, he’s a sweet boy. I’m happy to.”
He stood. “I need to get back to work.”
“What you need is a bed,” she said as she followed him to the door. Knowing how that sounded, she stood in the entryway, not looking at him, a blush rising in her face like she was fourteen instead of forty.
He hesitated with his hand on the knob then turned to face her. “This complicates things.”
Curiosity got the better of her. “What does?”
“The fact that you’re connected to this case, and I really want to kiss you.”
His words landed before she could brace for them. He wasn’t asking, merely stating it, like a conclusion he’d already reached.
“That’s bad, I take it.”
“It’s dangerous. I don’t mix work life with personal.”
She waited, sensing there was more.
“But after this morning,” he added, “your involvement is over.”
“Is it?”
“Yes.” He held her gaze. “I’d like to take you to dinner.”
He wasn’t laying on the charm or being overly cocky. Just real. She liked that, and him. Her heart skipped a little. Still, she wouldn’t want him to have regrets.
“Isn’t this unwise… professionally?”
“I’ll risk it.”
