Page 112 of Hollywood

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

He bumped my shoulder, laughing. We took our cereal to the thrift-store table we’d picked up a week ago. It was square, with a white top flecked with gold, and chrome legs. It would look more at home in a diner, but I liked it.

Hollywood dug a spoon into the Cocoa Pebbles. “This is so bad for you.” He lifted out a heaping spoonful. “So sugary.” He shoved it into his mouth, mumbling, “But soooo good.”

“Now you’re glad you burned the French toast, aren’t you?”

“I mean, kinda?”

I shook my head, smiling, the glow inside me too bright to put into words. This man was my sun. All I wanted to do was bask in his warmth.

Hollywood lowered his spoon. “I’ll pick up Ruby when we finish here. I need to run to the grocery store to pick up some things for movie night with Joyride, anyway. My stash of peanut butter cups is getting low.” He eyed me. “You don’t know why that would be, do you?”

“Who me?” I tried to look innocent. I got home late at night, and sometimes the munchies hit. What was a guy supposed to do?

“Yes, you,” he said. “You’ve been robbing me.”

“Well, judging by the way you’re scarfing those Cocoa Pebbles, you’ve got a real problem. I’m saving you from a chocolate addiction.”

“Watch it, buddy, or I’ll find a new hiding spot for my snacks.”

“Did I say addiction? That’s overstating it. Everybody loves chocolate.”

He laughed. “Good save.”

“I’ll, uh, take it easy on the late-night snacks, though. Those are your treats. Sorry.”

“Don’t be silly.” He leaned in to kiss me. “What’s mine is yours, Tex. Just warn me when the stash gets low. I don’t like to be left high and dry.”

I slid a hand onto his thigh. “Well, I’d never do that to you, darlin’…”

We kissed again, heat sparking between us. Maybe there was time to fit in one more trip to the bedroom before Ruby came home?—

Someone knocked on the door. Damn it.

Hollywood pulled back. “Are you expecting anyone?”

“No.”

He started for the door. “Maybe Kelly brought Ruby home?”

I followed him to the living room. When he opened the door, Knight and Aiden stood on the porch with two dogs.

One was Biscuit, their usual Boston Terrier, and the other was a mutt with a mop of curly hair named Waffles. They’d fostered him for a few days last summer.

A cool breeze gusted through the door, making me shiver. I crossed my arms over my bare chest.

“Hey, guys,” Hollywood said. “What’s up?”

“Waffles came over for a play date,” Aiden said. “We were just out for a walk and thought Ruby might like to meet him.”

“Oh, Ruby’s not here. She stayed over with her Aunt Kelly.”

“That’s right,” Aiden said brightly. “You guys had your date last night.”

He and Knight didn’t say anything else. They both stared at us expectantly.

Oh,that’swhat this visit was about.