Page 30 of Keystrokes and Kittens

He wrinkled his nose. “No idea. It’s driving me nuts.” He said it with a shrug.

Roger, his buddy, nudged him. “We’re taking bets.” The Black man, who had some serious muscles, grinned.

“Really?” That had me intrigued.

Arnie, another one of the firefighter friends, who was even more solid than Roger, laughed. “Just kidding. Whatever we can do to get him riled up. He’s worried about the sanctity of his reptile sanctuary.”

Both Roger and Kendall groaned.

“Oh, is that Reptile Rescue?” Sam grinned. “I thought I recognized you. Sorry, I have trouble placing people when they’re not at the store.”

Kendall’s grin was back. “Right, sorry, Sam. Yeah, these guys like to give me shit. You want in on the betting? So far, I think old lady day spa is winning.” He pointed to me. His grin, though, betrayed the lie to his words.

I snorted. “I’m going to find out who bought the property. You forget that I have mad hacking skills.”

He sat straighter. “Yeah? Could you find out?”

“No.” I laughed. “I’m joking and you need to relax. I’m sure everything will work out.”

“Right?” Arnie snorted. “That’s what we keep telling him. He’s just worried about his scaly friends.”

“Two cups of steaming hot java.” Gabriella put the cups down on the table. “Hey, Kendall, how are the monsters?”

Kendall rolled his eyes. "They're not monsters. They're perfectly harmless reptiles." But he caught my gaze. “If you change your mind—”

I waved him off. “I don’t fancy a visit from the FBI.”

“Yeah, but you do that kind of stuff for a living.”

“The answer isno. I’m sorry I joked about it.”

Sam cocked his eyebrow.

I gave himthatlook.

“Yeah. Whatever. I guess I just have to be patient.” Kendall huffed and then turned back to his buddies.

Gabriella had headed back to the kitchen and Sam continued to stare. “You’re all ethical this morning.”

I laughed. “I’m always ethical. I really do love my business—and not being in jail. So, snooping into places where I haven’t been invited and remaining a free man are exclusive to each other.”

“Ah.” He tapped his nose. “Good to know. My personal laptop barely runs the internet. I only use it for doing work stuff and the odd search. The FBI would find me very boring.”

“Nothing wrong with that.” I sipped my coffee. “There is truly nothing better than a great cup of coffee, and I have to say Blue Star’s is some of the best around.”

Sam sipped and his eyes widened. “Yeah, okay, I’ll second that.”

“And I have your food.” Gabriella grinned. She placed the pancakes in front of Sam. “I added a side of blueberries in case you would like them. Otherwise, I’m quite certain Soren will indulge.”

She placed my plate before me, and the heavenly smell of bacon assailed me. My saliva glands kicked into overdrive. “Perfection. As always.”

“Oh, I nearly forgot your OJ.”

Sam raised his hand. “May I have one as well?”

“Of course. Back in a flash.” True to her word, I’d barely poured syrup over my waffle before two glasses of orange juice were added to the table.

I mock toasted Sam. “To surviving our first week of parenthood.”