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“Yes,” she said.
Jacques brought the bottle of wine out from beneath the sink and opened it with a corkscrew.
“Sorry, I don’t have wine glasses,” he said as he poured the wine into two coffee mugs, set them on the table with the dinner trays and dropped into the chair opposite hers.
He lifted his mug. “To fancy dinners, of which this is not one.”
She lifted her mug and touched it to his. Her fingers brushed his, sending a shock of electricity through her.
Jacques drank from his mug and set it on the table.
When Danny laid her mug on the table without drinking, Jacques frowned. “Is it not good?”
“I’m sure it is,” she said.
He stared across at her, his face serious, his eyes gentle. “If I had been drugged like you were, I’d be afraid to drink anything in mixed company, too. If I taste yours first, would it make you less wary?”
“Maybe,” she said.
He lifted her mug and drank. “Not bad,” he said, setting it on the table. “Still, you don’t have to drink it. I can offer orange juice or water.”
She shook her head, lifted her mug and drank. Before the incident, she’d loved red wine. She hadn’t had any alcohol since. The wine slid down her throat, rich, fragrant and perfect. Moments later, warmth spread through her, bringing a welcome sense of well-being.
“Okay?” he asked.
She nodded and set the mug on the table. “Before I drink any more, we should establish some ground rules since we’ll be sharing the same space.”
He nodded. “Agreed. You can have the bedroom with the door locked, as long as I can use the bathroom before you lock up.”
“Or,” she raised a finger. “You can have the bedroom with the door lock, and I’ll sleep on the sofa as long as I can use the bathroom before you lock the door.”
Jacques frowned. “You should have the bedroom. You’ll feel safer with the lock on the door. Not that you should worry about me.” He held up his hand as if taking an oath. “I promise not to take advantage of you, touch you or make you feel like I’m coming on to you in any way.” His lips curled upward. “Unless you want me to, but that would have to come with a very clear invitation that cannot be misinterpreted.”
Her cheeks heating, Danny glanced away. “You don’t have to worry. I would never invite you.”
“Never say never,” he whispered and then smiled. “So, we’re settled? You’ve got the bedroom. I’ll take the sofa.”
She shook her head. “I’m not taking your bed. You’ve got making a bed down to a fine science. Your drill instructor would be proud.”
He grinned. “I look at it this way: if I don’t have a good reason to lounge in bed, I get up and make it. If I don’t accomplish anything else that day, I’ve made my bed. There’ve been times a bed was a luxury. I don’t forget those days.” He glanced around the living area. “Now, the rest of the place might need attention, but I’m not as strict there. At the end of the day, it’s fun to dive into bed and twist the sheets.”
She could picture him doing just that and smiled.
They ate in silence for a few moments, sipping the wine between bites.
“How was work?” he asked.
“Busy until after the supper rush.”
“Any of the Fontenots show up?”
Her lips twitched. “No. You’ll be happy to know I didn’t have to faceplant anyone.”
“Glad to hear it,” he said.
Her brow twisted. “The names of my classmates…did you do anything with those?”
“As a matter of fact, we did. Swede found their contact information. We spent the afternoon setting up times to interview them. We talked with a couple late this afternoon. They didn’t remember much of that night. Each man remembered you had secured a hotel room and thought you’d left early to go there. We have more interviews that will take place tomorrow.”