Page 51 of My Favorite Hero

As for the friends with benefits, I didn’t know if Casey was that sort of girl.

Or if I wanted that.

“Too complicated,” I objected.

He shook his head. “Only if you make it that way.”

His phone rang and he chuckled. “Speaking of complicated, my wife needs me again.” He slid from the booth. “See you at the station.”

I lifted my hand in a mock salute, and he strode away.

I got another cup of coffee from Shannon, my mind racing.

Friends with benefits. Casey and me.

Her in my bed, those breasts on display for me. That lush ass of hers wiggling as I played with her. She didn’t seem offended last night when my dick was in her face. In fact, she seemed quite fascinated. Then I shook my head. It was a bad idea.

Lou would kill me. She asked me to watch out for her.

Not fuck her senseless the way I wanted to.

I drained my coffee, putting the idea out of my mind.

Tenant.

Casey was my tenant. A pain-in-the-ass one at times, but just my tenant.

That was all.

Chapter Twelve

JESSE

Iheaded home, stopping to pick up a few supplies at the hardware store. I grabbed some groceries, including a rotisserie chicken, figuring that way, I could at least have something decent to eat. I threw a container of potato salad into the cart and added a coleslaw, pleased. That was a couple of well-balanced meals, at least.

At home, I looked around, but nothing had changed. I heard the “singing” of the wind chimes, as Casey called it, but oddly, the sound didn’t bother me. It was in the background, and if pressed, I might admit it was pleasant.

I put away the groceries and headed to the closet, determined to get it fixed. I opened the door and stopped in surprise. The coats were rehung, the shoes and boots orderly. The boxes that had been knocked down were repacked and slid to the side. It was as if yesterday hadn’t happened. The only difference was the container sitting on the floor. I opened it and read the little note on top of the delicious-smelling cookies.

I’m really sorry.

Miller sniffed around my legs, pawing at the door. I rolled my eyes and knew if I did this once, I was doomed.

I did it anyway.

I pushed the coats out of the way, opened my door, and knocked on hers.

It took a minute, and I heard her pulling on it. I gave it a push, and it opened. Miller tore past me and through the door, not bothering to wait for an invite.

“Hi,” Casey murmured.

I frowned. She looked tired. Upset. None of the usual sunshine she usually showed.

“You okay?” I asked. “Are you sick?”

“No, I’m fine.”

“You cleaned the closet.”