Have Me

Rebecca’s eyes jerked open, her face flushed with heat, even though she knew no one could tell what she’d been thinking, but her voice was firm and in control as she ordered the biggest espresso they made. And a lemon bar.

“LEAVE IT ALONE, OLD MAN.”

“I didn’t say a word.” Mike Donnelly rolled himself out of the path of the coffeemaker.

“I’m in no mood,” Jake said, filling his cup for the third time since he’d gotten up.

His father looked at his watch again. Jake knew it was noon. So he’d gone to bed the minute he’d gotten home, what of it. He wasn’t missing out on a day of work. And he’d already called to reschedule his physio appointment.

“You’re not gonna tell me anything? Not you had a good time, the dinner was crap, nothing?”

“The dinner was great, I had a terrific time and I’m not seeing her again, so what difference does it make?”

“Oh. What happened? She say something?” He leaned forward, his eyes wide. “You say something?”

“No. Neither of us said anything. It was the deal. That’s all. It was never going to be more than the one night.”

“Oh. So you work these things out ahead of time, huh? Like something in your day planner or your BlackBerry appointment book.”

“I don’t have a day planner or a BlackBerry. Pa, it’s no big deal. It was a setup, we had a nice night. She was … great. Really great. But no more than that.”

“Huh.”

Jake let out a hell of a sigh. “What?” He sat down at the nook, his thigh killing him. Worth it, though. Every ache and every pain. He’d do it again in a heartbeat. Which wasn’t an option.