Page 24

Why was a very good question. And, he thought, none of her business. Right now, he was asking himself why he’d come back after fixing the doorbell. Why he hadn’t slunk back to the condo. It wasn’t as if Pearl was his new neighbor. “I didn’t want to get in the way,” he muttered. And took far too big a gulp of his wine.

Anna’s gaze bored holes in him. “I thought you wanted your space,” she countered. “You said you had work to do.”

His gaze locked on hers. “What sort of work do you think a wilderness instructor needed to do at night in his room?”

“I don’t know.” She flapped her hands at him. “Learn new campfire lighting techniques. Review what to do when your canoe capsizes.” He was unable to keep the amusement from his expression. “Write letters of apology to people you’ve pissed off,” she added testily.

Pearl let out a loud guffaw and they both turned to look at her. “Oh, please don’t stop on my account. This is the most entertainment I’ve had in ages.”

He inhaled a deep breath and tried to find his calm.

“So, Luke still eats in his room and works on his campfire and canoe knowledge.” Pearl’s mouth twitched and her eyes found his. “That seems a shame when you’re sharing a condo with a pretty woman.”

“Oh shit.” Anna’s curse was barely audible.

“Help me,” he hissed.

Anna swallowed. “Maybe he doesn’t want to eat with me, Pearl.”

Okay. That wasn’t what he’d meant.

“Why wouldn’t he want to eat a meal with a pretty woman?” Pearl’s brow furrowed as she turned her dark gaze onto him. “Unless you don’t think she’s pretty?”

“I think she is. Very pretty.”

Pearl’s eyes crinkled with satisfaction at his qualification and the flush on his neck became so hot he was certain she’d see steam.

“Then maybe you should make her a nice dinner tonight when you leave here,” Pearl stated, looking smug. “Something better than mac and cheese.”

Anna let out a noise like she was being strangled. “In fairness it was a very good mac and cheese.” Her teeth sunk into her bottom lip. “It had bacon in it and everything.”

Don’t look at her mouth, dimwit.

“So the tall man with the eye-catching green eyes and big calloused hands can cook,” Pearl remarked. “I wonder what else he can do?”

She looked over to Anna and the two of them shared some sort of secret language that maybe only the female species was privy to. Was it a compliment? Were they teasing him? Luke mentally cursed his friend for putting him in this position.

Deciding the only way to cope was to drink and keep his mouth shut, he eased back onto the sofa. And jolted, nearly spilling his wine, when a black paw, followed by a black furry body, slunk onto his lap. It circled twice before deciding to settle down.

He must have lost his poker face entirely because Pearl roared with laughter. At least he was making someone happy. “Not a cat fan, Luke?”

“Not particularly.” In his opinion cats were snooty creatures only out for themselves.

“Well Nyx seems to like you, and she’s very fussy whose lap she sits on.” Pearl eyed him with what looked like renewed interest. “Maybe there’s more to you than I thought.”

“Thanks. I think.”

Anna let out a snort, like she was trying not to giggle but had failed miserably. She must have read his discomfort though—not just the cat, though it didn’t help. “We should get going.” She glanced sideways at him. “We need a trip to the supermarket now that Luke is making us dinner.”

Christ. But as it beat being grilled by an old woman who looked like she could see right through him, he nodded in agreement. “Sure.”

He downed the rest of his wine in one gulp—he figured he’d earned it—and ignored the disgruntled hiss of the cat as he stood up. Nyx stalked away, tail in the air. He reckoned if she had fingers, she’d be giving him the middle one.

“Thanks so much for the drink and the chat.” Anna, gracious as ever, provided all the charm and manners he lacked. “I’ll make sure to come back soon.”

“You do.” Pearl’s gaze skimmed Luke’s face before she smiled back at Anna. “I look forward to hearing how the next few weeks go.”

“Oh, before we leave, we need a photo of the three of us.” Anna wrapped her arm around Pearl and indicated for him to come into the selfie.