“Love you right back, Ballard. Now, about that hot sex…”

***

By the time Alex arrived home after six o’clock, Paul, Adam and Jenny had moved from the store to the house, where Adam was working on Paul’s laptop. He’d had the idea to log in to the system from the laptop and try to change the password that way. He was seated at the table with Paul and Jenny standing behind him, offering suggestions and moral support.

Watching Adam operate behind the scenes in the guts of the computer had been nothing short of fascinating for Jenny. The guy was clearly brilliant, and she had full faith that if anyone could get them into the system, he could.

Marion had left a short time ago for a ride with one of her friends but would be returning soon.

“Hey,” Alex said when he came in, looking tired and dirty. “Are we having a party and I wasn’t invited?”

“Goddamned Sharon,” Paul said. “She password-protected the system before she rode out of town on her broomstick. We’ve been working all day to try to get in.”

Alex’s dark eyes flashed with rage. “Are you freaking kidding me?”

“I wish, and I’ve already reported it to Blaine. He’s issued a warrant for her arrest.”

“Good. Tell him we’re pressing charges.”

“I just want the damned password.”

Jenny sent Alex an empathetic smile, wishing she could go to him and hug him, but she quelled the urge until a more appropriate time.

“I’m going to hit the shower,” he said as he cracked open a beer to take with him. Looking directly at her, he added, “I’ll be right back.”

The message couldn’t have been clearer—don’t leave. As if there was anywhere she’d rather be. Adam and Paul continued to converse about the system, and Jenny pretended like she was paying attention, but all she could think about was Alex and the despair she’d sensed in him at the thought of yet another challenge to contend with. She wanted to wrap her arms around him and provide all the comfort she was capable of. Hopefully, he’d let her.

Before Alex emerged from the shower, Marion returned home with her friend.

Paul left Adam to work on the computer alone and got busy putting dinner together for his mother.

Jenny eyed the pan of lasagna Paul had pulled from the fridge. “Could I help with that so you can keep working with Adam?”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I know I don’t. I’m offering anyway.”

His smile was warm and full of gratitude, but it couldn’t hide the exhaustion. “Thanks. That’d be great.”

“No problem.” Jenny cut a piece of lasagna, heated it in the microwave and served it to Marion, who was seated at the bar.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“I’m Jenny.”

“I don’t know you.”