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Oh yeah She winced Then she reulped He’d called her sweetheart “Just to be clear, you bought chicken noodle soup foronly Fiona and Grandma Lily had ever done

“That is what you requested, right?” Conrad tapped the takeout bowl, drawing her attention to the chipped countertop with yellow laht out of 1967

Stray thoughts bombarded her What did he think of her ho styles did he prefer? Had she really asked him to feed her? And he’d complied? Was she his “sweetheart” only while sick or also ell? Were they bantering?

Her stomach fluttered “Thank you, Conrad I’m speechless”

“Don’t say that” He winked at her Actually winked “I should be rewarded for ood deed, not punished”

Um What the what?

We are definitely bantering He liked her liked her Didn’t he?

She shook her head like a Magic Eight Ball, an answer rising to the surface Seems likely

Heart racing, she tripped to the counter and sat in one of the barrel back wooden chairs opposite hi him work The muscles in his forearms rippled, but she barely noticed Honest! “What else did I ask you to do?” What if she’d blocked the truly awful things?

Rolex clai with ht food

“Ask? No You demanded I update you on the case To save my very life, I’m here with information” He pulled a loaf of Daisy’s fa board A family heirloom Jane kept on the countertop, tucked behind the blender “Here’s the thing I’m human, and I’m due a lunch break Why not eat it here with you and discuss the investigation? Two birds, one stone All above board Mostly I promise I’ll tell you as much as I can”

Soup and inforrabby hands, and he slid her portion closer A pop of the lid filled the rooetables Her mouth watered

“Hungry?” he asked

“Starved I didn’t know it until this moment” She offered him a smile, determined to keep the emotion out of her eyes It’s just soup

Please This represented more than just soup—for both of them But it shouldn’t Hate the curse!

Outside, a ha startled her, and she yelped A h theHe stalked across the yard, his h thin linen curtains the color of buttercups Grand with flower the violet knickknacks and rose-scented candles

He sla? But they hadn’t discussed the double date yet