“Are you still going to stay?” I asked.
“On your sofa, yes. In your bed, no.”
I bit my lip and nodded, trying to hide my disappointment.
“Stop,” he warned.
I let out a frustrated groan. “Sorry. I have never been good at hiding my thoughts.”
“I already know that.” He stood before leaning down to kiss my cheek. “Where’s your bathroom?”
“Down the hall, first door on the right.”
After letting Lord out once more, I settled him in his crate, then climbed into bed… alone. Knowing Scooby was so close, however, made sleep virtually impossible.
Rowan
The next morning, I awoke before the sun and padded out to my kitchen, passing my sectional to find it empty. Lord came bounding up to me and I leaned down to scratch him behind his ears with a smile. “So, it looks like you were released, huh?”
I grabbed my phone off the island where it had been charging and found a text from Scooby.
Fed Lord. Took him out. Had shit to do. Squishy’s out back, Orion’s out front.
I didn’t know who Orion was, but I figured I’d probably find out soon enough. I got dressed and brushed my teeth before throwing on some makeup and heading downstairs. Lord settled onto his bed in my office, and I made my way to the kitchen.
“Morning, Rowan.”
“Hey, Monty. You’re early. How are you?” I asked as I tied on an apron.
“If I were any better, you’d have to arrest me.”
I grinned. “Glad to hear it.”
“You want some eggs benny?”
“Oh my god, I’d love some, if you wouldn’t mind.”
“It’d be my pleasure,” he said.
While he made breakfast, I set up the tables for the day, then opened the diner, eating quickly before our first customers arrived.
A family of five had walked in just as Dusty had pulled out a batch of fresh blueberry muffins, so the day had started out perfectly, and continued to improve as business increased throughout the day.
By the time dinner was over, I was missing Scooby something fierce, and didn’t like that I hadn’t seen him at all during the day. I pulled out my phone and sent him a text.
Me:Hey. You okay?
Scooby:I’m good. You good?
Me:Yep.
He didn’t reply immediately, and I tried to think of something witty to say. In the end, I caved and just asked the question I’d wanted to ask in the first place.
Me:Are you coming by today?
Scooby:No. Tango’s on shift tonight.
I frowned, dialing his number.