Page 32 of Bone’s Choice

I took the cigarette from my mouth. “What are you doing?”

Her eyebrows lifted. “I asked first.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m answering first.”

She shook her head. “I was looking for a job.”

My eyes moved to Bing’s. Then back to her. “Here?”

“That was my answer.” She pointed at me. “Now what about you?”

“Riding.”

“Riding,” she parroted.

“Yeah, needed to clear my head.”

She looked at my bike, then at the way it was parked directly behind her SUV. “Does clearing your head usually involve blocking random women into parking spaces?”

I glanced at her SUV as if I hadn’t noticed. “You’re not random.”

“No?”

“You’re Ma’s neighbor.”

“Ah.” She nodded. “Of course. Very important distinction.”

I chuckled and took another drag. “Besides, seeing you was a bonus.”

The words were out before I thought much about them.

Hazel went still for half a second, then a small smile pulled at her lips.

I liked making her smile. Didn’t need to examine why.

“Smooth,” she said.

“Wasn’t trying to be.”

“That’s what makes it worse.”

I grinned.

Her eyes dropped briefly to my mouth.

That I noticed too. Fuck.

I flicked ash onto the pavement. “You really thinking about working at Bing’s?”

Hazel glanced over her shoulder at the building. “Maybe. Why? Should I not?”

I shrugged. “Can get rough.”

“So can every bar.”

“Bing’s gets a little rougher than most.”

She didn’t look worried. “Are the tips good?”