Abby smiled. “I’d like another look myself.” She covered her mouth to stifle a yawn. “What else do you need me to do?”

Gage glanced out the window. Darkness had begun to settle over the neighborhood, and the restaurants and bars were beginning to fill up. “That’s enough for today. We’ll start again tomorrow.”

“Are you sure? I can stay a little longer if there’s something else you need me to do.”

He almost smiled. He loved her enthusiasm. He remembered his first expedition and the excitement he had felt, the driving need to get the trip underway. “You’ll do better work if you’re rested. Let’s get something to eat and go to bed early.”

The moment the words were out of his mouth, he regretted them. Taking Abby to bed wasn’t going to happen, at least not anytime soon. He locked down his unwanted desire and forced his thoughts back where they belonged.

“There are a couple of things I’d like to finish,” Abby said, “but I have to admit a glass of wine doesn’t sound half bad.”

“We’ll go to Dorgan’s. It’s an Irish pub just down the block. Grab your jacket, and let’s get out of here.”

Maggie had already gone home. Gage locked the office, and they headed down the street. Dorgan’s was in a historic building with exposed brick walls and molded tin ceilings. As it was Friday, a band played Irish music in the corner. On weekends, it got busy and loud, but the main crowd wouldn’t arrive till later.

Gage asked for a table in the back, and they both sat down. “Everything here is good. I’m a fan of the fish and chips.”

“I’ll try it.”

The waitress walked up just then. “Hey, Gage, how’s it going?” Colleen was pretty, with black hair and big blue eyes. He’d taken her out a few times, taken her to bed, but it was never anything but sex for either one of them. By the time he’d come back from his last trip, Colleen was in a serious relationship. He was glad they could still be friends.

“Colleen, this is Abby,” he said.

“Nice to meet you,” Abby said.

“You, too, Abby.”

“We’ll both have the fish and chips,” Gage said. “And I’d like a Guinness. Abby wants a glass of—”

“A Guinness sounds great.”

“I’ll be right back.” Colleen smiled and hurried away.

Abby unfolded her napkin and settled it over her lap. “Another one of your friends with benefits?”

He flicked a glance at the brunette, felt not the least bit of interest. “Just friends. No benefits these days.”

“For a guy who travels as much as you do, you certainly manage to keep yourself busy.”

He smiled, couldn’t resist. “Jealous?”

Her chin went up. “Of course not.”