Page 29 of New Rules
“Minnesota is not Canada, though I have no problem with Canadians.”
“We’ll go with southern Canada,” she joked back, and I thoroughly enjoyed just hanging out and relaxing with her, wishing I could stay longer.
“What are you up to for the rest of the day, Tammy?”
She turned and looked at me suspiciously. “Is that your way of inviting yourself to hang out with me?”
I put my hand over my heart and teased her. “Why, that’s so kind of you to invite me, Tammy. But I actually have plans to go fishing with Frank. We leave from his house in an hour. Raincheck, though.”
She rolled her eyes at me, but I noticed the small tug of her lips at the corner.
Fishing helped clear my mind, so I figured it would be not only fun to hang out with Frank, but it would give my brain a chance to have some quiet time to think about the burglary case. I couldn’t help but think there was something missing.
“You and Frank have a great time,” she said, getting up from her chair. “I’ve gotta get some errands done before my shift tonight.”
“I thought you were off?”
She sighed. “Sam called out sick again, so I’m going in.”
“Again?” I pressed.
“Corey actually filled in for him last night too,” she explained. “Whatever he’s got must be bad, because he doesn’t usually call in.”
Hmmm.
That was interesting. Not that people couldn’t be sick, but he seemed very adamant about picking up as many shifts as possible to pay off his student loans. Unless, of course, you picked up some cash and no longer needed the extra shifts.
I made a mental note to do some more digging into Sam after the fishing trip.
“Let me call Frank and cancel the fishing trip so you have someone at the bar tonight,” I told her, not loving the fact that Sam wasn’t coming in but could very much show up later in order to help himself to some money.
“No need,” she responded casually. “Diego offered to come in and be my bodyguard for the night. I honestly just think he wants free food while he sits at the bar and watches sports and horse racing. Enjoy your fishing trip.”
The last part was emphasized in a way that meant she wasn’t letting me cancel even if I wanted to.
I followed her lead and stood from my chair, walking back into her kitchen. I helped her clean up the little mess we’d made with the plates and mugs.
As she walked me to the door, I once again stopped to face her.
“I’ll say it again… You look beautiful.”
She closed her eyes briefly, sighed, and then looked back at me. “Ray…”
I moved my hand to brush the hair from her face, bringing my body closer to her—slowly, to give her time to refute—andthen brushed my lips against hers. The taste of coffee was still on her lips as I deepened the kiss. I moved my hand to behind her neck, allowing me to tilt her head just as I wanted it while I savored the moment.
That kiss ended way too quickly in my opinion, but I had places to be, and so did she.
“I’ll see you tomorrow night,” I whispered against her lips and then made my way out her door and off to Frank’s boat. A boat that I spent way too much time on while thinking about Tammy instead of the case—or fishing.
Saturday night was packed.I wasn’t sure if this was a usual crowd or if tonight was just exceptionally busy, but I would not have had my usual seat at the bar—or any seat for that matter—had Tammy not saved it by blocking it off until I got there.
I hadn’t seen Tammy since yesterday morning, and I found I was actually excited to see her again. I tried not thinking too deeply about that since I’d only met her six days ago and only gone about thirty-six hours without seeing her.
“I take it Frank was a more exciting breakfast partner this morning instead of little ol’ me?” she asked. It was casual and slightly teasing, but it also felt like she had been hopeful that I would show up.
“After fishing, Frank and I stayed up until damn near one in the morning drinking,” I told her, letting out a slight painful groan. “Even thesmellof food was nauseating this morning. Plus, I slept on his couch, and if there is anything I have learned about getting older, it’s that sleeping on a couch is for youngpeople. My body does not take too kindly to anything other than a bed to sleep in.”
She smiled at me. “Aww, so you’re telling me your old-man body is getting soft, is that right?”
