The corners of Bennett’s mouth eased upward. She slowly slid her key into the lock, and pushing open the door, she held out her hand to Ruby. “I’m not sure you noticed, but the coffee machine I have makes more than just coffee. I can offer you anything from a latte to a Red-Eye for breakfast. Which would you prefer?”

“Red-Eye,” Ruby said, slipping her fingers through Bennett’s. “Definitely a Red-Eye.”

Chapter Twenty-One

By the time Ruby got home Monday night, she was dragging ass. With the help of the Red-Eye, she made it to lunch with no problem, and a candy bar and an extra-large coffee had her flying until almost four, and then Ruby hit a wall like a cartoon roadrunner. She struggled through the last hour of work, pacing around her office for fear she’d fall asleep at her desk, and even though the temperature was hovering below freezing when Ruby drove home, she did it with the windows down and the heater off.

Ruby reached the third floor and saw Bennett standing outside the door to her apartment, holding a glass of wine. “Good evening.”

Ruby’s smile was automatic, widespread, and filled with teeth. “Hi there.”

“You look exhausted.”

“I didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“If I’m not mistaken, you’re the one who said it takes two to tango,” Bennett said, her eyes wrinkling at the corners.

Ruby snorted. “I did, but if you want to dance tonight, you’ll be doing it alone.”

“I’m somewhat familiar with the concept.”

“Whew.”

Bennett’s laughter echoed in the hall. “Relax, Ruby. I’m not standing here hoping to have my way with you tonight.”

“You’re not?”

“Now you sound disappointed,” Bennett said, laughing again. “Make up your bloody mind, woman, before our dinner burns.”

“Our dinner?”

“Don’t read into this more than there is.”

“It’s kind of hard not to.”

“No, it’s not. It’s rather simple. If I’m not mistaken, we both had quite an enjoyable weekend, and last night neither of us got much sleep. I, however, could catch up on what I missed today, and I doubt you were that lucky.”

“Yeah, work kind of takes a dim view if we fall asleep at our desks.”

“As well they should,” Bennett said with a nod. “Anyway, since I have tonight off and I doubted you’d have enough energy left to open a bag of chips, I made dinner for us. Pork medallions in a port wine glaze, roasted garlic-parmesan new potatoes, and asparagus. That is, if you’re interested.”

Until that moment, Bennett’s charcoal yoga pants and long-sleeve Henley had gone unnoticed. “You’re not working tonight?” Ruby said.

“No. The gallery won’t reopen until tomorrow. That gives our customers a chance to return and pick up any easily transportable items, and it gives Finn and Gunnar time to crate up the rest to ship out.”