“Of course, I do, but Gus and Cathleen beat you to the punch. I’m supposed to be there at the break of dawn on Christmas morning. Something about anxious children.”

“Yeah, I have a few of those, too, which reminds me. If I don’t get the stocking stuffers, Bridget’s going to have my head.” Gunnar placed a light kiss on Bennett’s cheek. “Merry Christmas, boss.”

“Merry Christmas, Gunnar, and please, extend that to your family.”

“I will,” Gunnar said, heading for the door. “You take care, and I’ll see you in about a week.”

Bennett gathered up her packages and continued down the hall, walking into the office as Lisa was coming out of the powder room. Bennett drew in a slow breath and admired what she saw.

Lisa was wearing a V-neck forest green satin blouse, its fit relaxed and its fabric shimmering, and her skirt was her preferred style, pencil in design and ending just below her knee, except this pencil skirt was leather…dark green scrumptious leather. Bennett swallowed the moisture building in her mouth and tore herself away from her ogling. “Good evening.”

Lost in her thoughts, Lisa’s hand flew to her chest, and she sent Bennett a look meant to do harm. “God, you just scared the crap out of me. Do you always have to walk so quietly?”

A smile broke through Bennett’s lips. “It’s a trait of the breed, I’m afraid.”

Lisa’s grin formed, and then it melted away. “You look tired.”

“I’m fine. It was a long weekend, and I didn’t go over to Max’s last night like I had planned.”

“Why not?” Lisa quickly held up her hands. “Never mind. I forgot. Ruby. My bad.”

“It’s not entirely what you think. Like every other mortal woman who’s been involved with me, her curiosity has come to the forefront. She wants to know all about me, and that takes a lot of time.”

“And you’re just telling her?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“Um…last time I checked, you usually keep a really low profile. Isn’t that a trait of the breed, too?”

“Normally, but even I can handle only so much of a solitary life before…before the need for companionship becomes too great, and part of companionship is talking about one’s self.”

“Yeah, I guess.” Lisa hesitated for a second before going over and snatching her phone off the desk.

Bennett frowned. “Is there any way you and I can get past this friction between us? I really don’t like it.”

Lisa let out a long and loud sigh. “Neither do I,” she said, turning around. “I miss our nightly chats. Going to the warehouse…talking about art.”

“So do I.”

“But you have Ruby now.”

“It’s not the same thing.”

“No?”

“No,” Bennett said, looking Lisa in the eye. “Not even close.”