She heard rustling of the phone and then, in the distance, Jon’s voice saying, “Who is this, Abe?”
“Harrryyy,” Abe said in his childish slur, and Dana grinned from ear to ear.
She’d helped build another family unit. And had a new member of her own family, as well.
Life was good.
Damned good.
* * *
JOSH COULD BE FORGIVEN for looking forward to dinner at Dana’s Tuesday night. Especially with her scent lingering in his house when he’d gone home for lunch, reminding him of...her.
Olivia, Ian’s wife’s friend, had phoned Monday night, inviting him to join a group at the country club for drinks, but he’d declined.
He didn’t want Olivia getting any ideas about him. Nor did he really want to run with the country club crowd. It would be too much like his old life. And he would risk running into someone who knew him—and also knew Cassie and Sam. Someone who might try to introduce them.
He left work on time on Tuesday and made it to Dana’s place before the kid who had the hots for her.
Dana was being modest about it. But Josh knew better. If the kid was male and had spent any time at all alone with Dana, he’d have the hots for her.
Which was why Josh stayed right by Dana’s side, acting like a devoted boyfriend, the entire ten minutes Jerome was in the house.
“That’s it, then,” Josh said, scooping L.G. up under his arm the second the younger man left. “I’ll get out of your way.”
The house was too small, too intimate, for just the two of them. “I thought you were staying for dinner,” Dana said from the kitchen. “At least take a container to go.”
He was selfish enough to accept the gift. Then he got the hell out of there.
If he’d stayed, he’d risk giving her the wrong idea. Telling her she couldn’t rely on him and then hanging out and letting her get more attached was making lies out of his words.
If there was one clear thing he’d learned from his relationship with Michelle it was that actions spoke louder than words. He’d never told her he was in love with her. But he’d bought her a ring and planned a lifetime with her. His actions had told her she could count on him.
Dana was far too important to him to risk leaving any false impressions.
* * *
It worked! Jerome asked about you in class this morning. And he’s bringing a girl from the computer club to Thanksgiving dinner! Thank you.
The text arrived while Josh was sitting in the campus pub with Ian Wednesday night.
Glad I could help. No need for thanks.
“Olivia’s called the house three times in the past week,” Ian was saying, working his way slowly through a second mug of beer. “She wants to know what you thought of her.”
“She’s nice.” Josh dropped his phone back into its case. He’d been home, heated up the last of the frozen barbecue and spent half an hour with L.G. before heading out again.
Too much silence wasn’t good for a guy who wasn’t used to any silence at all.
“She seems to have it bad for you, man,” Ian continued. “I think you can pretty much call the shots on that one.”
Josh shrugged. “I’m not really looking....”
The other man nodded. “You want me to blow her off for you?”
“Wouldn’t be a bad thing if you could steer her in another direction. It’s nothing against her...”
“Gotcha.”
“And tell Amy—”
“Not to find anyone else for now.”
Looking into his beer, Josh grimaced and glanced up. “Sorry to be such an ass.”
“No, man, actually, it’s cool. Much better to let her know up front so no one gets hurt.”
Josh sipped his beer. “But if your wife doesn’t mind a third wheel, I’d love to treat the two of you to dinner in Phoenix,” he said. He was making a life here. He had to have friends.
“Hell, I’m never one to pass up a free meal. But only if you come for dinner Saturday night,” Ian said. “Amy’s making lasagna and wanted me to ask you.”
Josh raised an eyebrow, and Ian quickly added, “Olivia has not been invited, and now won’t be.”
“You might want to check with your wife to make certain the invitation’s still open,” Josh said.
“No need.” Ian grinned. “You were a hit with my wife, man. She really liked you, and not just as someone for me to hang out with.”
“She’s looking for someone for you to hang out with?”
“Nah, just likes to know that when she’s working late, I’m not out gallivanting with a clod who doesn’t know how to behave himself.”
“What time’s dinner?” Josh asked, motioning for one more beer.