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Damon peeked out of the kitchen. “Hey, man. What are you doing here?”
“Just bringing some dinner to Joey.”
“Ah.” His eyes lit in understanding, a small smirk curling his lips. “Your boy is working in the bathroom.”
My stomach flip-flopped, and a denial rose to my lips, but for once, I didn’t have the energy to say it. It was true enough at some level, wasn’t it?
“Thanks.” I turned toward the hall, then paused. “I have enough for you, if you’re hungry?”
“Oh? That would be great. Thanks.”
I pulled a pizzaco out of the bag and handed it to him, then carried on toward the bathroom. Joey was crouched down, in the middle of installing a support railing next to the toilet.
“Hey, stranger. You got time for a dinner break?”
He half turned, gaze warm as it landed on me.
“Hey. You didn’t have to come out here. I know you worked all day.”
I shrugged. “I’m just bringing dinner, not volunteering to paint any walls.”
“Well, I’ll have to find a way to thank you.” The innuendo in his tone was unmistakable. “I think we’ll be wrapping up by tomorrow evening.”
“Something to look forward to, then,” I murmured.
He turned back to the wall, drilling in the final screw, and tested the bar. Satisfied it would hold, he set aside the drill and stood to face me.
He wore battered jeans and a stained hoodie, but he’d never looked better to me.
I grabbed his wrist and tugged him toward me, pressing a kiss on his lips. It was awkward, a little off-center, and had obviously caught him by surprise.
“What was that for?” he murmured.
I shrugged, playing it off, even as my heart accelerated. I’d needed that kiss, but I wasn’t sure I was ready to tell Joey that. After what Hollywood said, the last thing I wanted to do was lead him on.
“Just my delivery fee,” I said lightly. “Come on. Let’s go eat.”
He followed me to the kitchen, where Damon was already scarfing his pizzaco at the table.
Joey glanced at me. “Oh good, you got enough for Damon, too.”
“Yeah, well, it seemed rude not to.” I dumped out the bag on the table. Four more pizzacos tumbled out. “I got sausage-and-peppers and buffalo chicken, plus a veggie. I wasn’t sure what you’d like.”
It seemed like information I should have by now, but Joey and I had skipped the “get to know you phase.” Suddenly, I found myself wanting to know more.
Wanting to know his favorite foods, what music he liked, his childhood memories. The thought unsettled me, and I picked up the buffalo chicken pizzaco and unwrapped it to distract myself.
Joey grabbed one. “Isn’t sausage-and-peppers everyone’s favorite?”
“Hell yeah,” Damon said.
I held up mine. “I like the buffalo best.”
“You rebel,” Joey teased.
Damon shoved the last bite of his ’zaco into his mouth and stood up. “Thanks,” he said, words muffled by food. “I’m gonna get back to work.”
He returned to the cabinetry, where he was installing hardware. It was a final touch, so they shouldn’t have a lot left to do before the resident came home this weekend. Apparently, the woman had been released a little sooner than expected, and everyone had worked overtime to get her home ready, so she wouldn’t have to rent a temporary apartment.
