Page 123 of Property of Bob

I looked at Bob. “That’s all he had to say?”

“About what?”

“The wheelchair.”

“What about it?”

“You’ve been using it since you got home,” I pointed out.

He nodded. “Now I’m not.”

“And Anchor just says good?”

Bob looked at me like he honestly didn’t understand the problem. I shook my head. Men. Especially these men.

“You wanted balloons? A parade?” Bob asked.

“I mean…” It was pretty damn amazing that Bob was walking, let alone breathing, after having his throat slit.

“Doll, what are you getting at here?”

I leaned closer. “I think it’s a big deal.”

Something shifted in his expression. Then his hand moved beneath the table and landed on my thigh. His thumb rubbed once over my jeans. “Then I guess it’s a big deal. Maybe we can celebrate later.”

Pearl plopped down in the chair next to me and set her coffee cup down. “I’m gonna say it.”

“Pearl,” Anchor called.

She waved her hand in his direction. “Shush, handsome.” She looked at me. “What’s the deal? I mean, I think we all know the deal, but we need some clarification on the deal.”

I glanced at Bob. I knew exactly what she was talking about, but Bob and I hadn’t really talked about what we were doing. I mean, I knew what I was doing and what I liked, but I didn’t know exactly where his head was.

Bob leaned back in his chair and draped his arm over my shoulders. “Clarification?”

Pearl nodded.

“Agreed,” Shay called from the couch. “I’m all for the kissing, but I’m going to be real disappointed if it’s nothing.”

“She’s only been here for a week,” Anchor pointed out. “Maybe just lay off.”

He wasn’t wrong.

“I almost died,” Bob said bluntly. “I’m not going to fuck around knowing this could all be over in a second.” His eyes connected with mine. “I like Ramona.”

“And?” Shay drawled, her eyes on me.

“I like Bob?” That answer seemed pretty obvious to me. I didn’t think people kissed if they didn’t like each other.

“You sure about that?” Anchor asked.

“Anchor,” Pearl hissed. “Don’t question her.”

He leaned against the bar and took a sip of his coffee. “She didn’t sound too sure about it.”

“Whose side are you on?” Shay asked him.

“Whatever side that makes Bob happy and ends this conversation,” he grunted.