“Give him time. I’ll get you that recipe, Charles. I think it’s a good trade.” She tucked the one Charles gave her in her bag.

“Thank you for coming back. It means so much to me.”

“I’ll see you again.” She shook his hand, then turned back to Julio. “The snapper was fabulous.” She kissed his cheek. “You bastard.”

He let out a laugh that boomed as effectively as his curses. “Maybe I’ll forgive you.”

“Maybe I’ll let you. ‘Night.”

Del ran a hand down her back as they walked outside. “That was a very nice thing you did, on both counts.”

“I can be nice.”

“You’re like a lemon soufflé, Laurel. Just the right blend of tart and sweet.” As he brought her hand to his lips to kiss, she blinked at him.

“Well. Somebody’s going to get lucky tonight.”

“I was hoping.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

MOVING AS QUIETLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE DARK, LAUREL CREPT TO the bathroom to change into a sports bra and bike shorts. She had to start remembering to get her workout gear together the night before when Del stayed over.

That’s what Parker would’ve done, she thought as she wiggled into the shorts.

She clipped up her hair, pulled on her socks, then decided to carry her shoes. As she eased the door open she let out a strangled gasp. Del sat on the side of the bed, illuminated by the bedside lamp.

“What, do you have superhearing? I was quiet.”

“Reasonably. Working out? Good idea. I’ll dig up some gear and join you.”

Since he was awake anyway, she sat to put on her shoes. “You can leave some stuff in here next time.”

He smiled a little. “Some of our tribe are sensitive about such matters.”

“I’m not.”

“Good. Neither am I. Makes it easier all around.” He glanced at the clock, winced. “Mostly.”

“You can go back to sleep. I won’t hold it against you, or think you’re a wimp. Or soft. Or lazy.”

He squinted at her. “I’ll meet you in the gym.”

“Okay.”

She strolled out thinking it was a good way to start the day. Teasing Del, getting in an hour’s gym time followed by a hot shower, hot coffee, and a solid day’s work.

In fact, it was pretty damn perfect.

In the gym she found Parker already doing cardio to CNN.

“Morning,” she called out.

“Good morning.You look awfully damn chipper.”

“Feeling awfully damn chipper.” Laurel got a mat from the rack, unrolled it on the floor for warm-up stretches. “Del’s coming in to work out.”

“Which explains the awfully damn chipper. How was dinner?”

“It was good. Really good. Except ...”

“What?”