She blinked a few times. “How did you know?”
“I ran into the sheriff outside.”
“Never knew Hayes to be a gossip,” she muttered.
“I don’t think he is. I was pushy.”
“Of course, you were.”
I chuckled, but the sound died out quickly. “I was worried about you.”
“You don’t even know me.”
“I’ve gotten a couple of glimpses. I’d like to know you better.”
“Boden, I have no interest in sleeping with you. Don’t get me wrong, you’re hot. Gorgeous in a way that I’m sure has had smart women doing some very stupid things. But I don’t need that kind of complication in my life right now.”
I opened my takeout bag and handed Laiken a sandwich. “Fair enough. I won’t lie. I think there’s a spark here.”
“I didn’t say there wasn’t.”
The corner of my mouth kicked up at that. “But I respect having a complicated life. Truth is, mine is too complicated to bring anyone else into it. How would you feel about friendship?”
Laiken stared down at the parcel in her lap. “You brought me a sandwich?”
“I did.”
She peeled back the paper. “An egg salad BLT from Spoons?”
I grinned. “I take it that was a good pick?”
“My favorite.”
Gizmo sniffed the air.
“Uh-uh, baby. Not good for dogs.”
He let out a little whine.
I unwrapped my sandwich and broke off a tiny piece of bacon. “Can I give him this?”
She shook her head. “He’ll never leave you alone if you do.”
“I’ll risk it.” I gave Gizmo the bacon, and he immediately left Laiken’s side to sit by me.
“Traitor,” she mumbled.
I laughed and pulled two drinks out of my bag. “Coke or iced tea?”
“Tea, please.”
I handed her the bottle.
“You think of everything.”
“Even dessert.”
Her mouth curved into the barest smile. “If there are whoopie pies in there, I’ll marry you. It’ll be a loveless, sexless marriage, you understand. But I’ll marry you.”