She took a sip of brandy, then shook her head. Things went fuzzy for a few seconds. “Hazel’s at her friend’s house, and she’ll go right from there to Mary’s in the morning. So there’s no need for you to leave until after breakfast. Or even lunch.” She wiggled her eyebrows up and down. “And we get to use my bedroom instead of the office. No mosquitoes to worry about.”

Mike stood, grabbing the bottle and tamping the cork into the top with his fist.

“In light of this wonderful news,” he announced with a grand gesture, “I propose we move into the house forthwith, along with the bottle of brandy, which I’m sure has rendered you incapable of doing repairs safely.” He pointed to the door. “Safety first, right?”

Zoey giggled, then covered her mouth in surprise. She wasn’t normally a giggly sort of girl, but now she couldn’t stop. “I accept your proposal, sir. Let’s go find a bed. And real glasses that won’t dissolve at the touch of this...” She gestured at the bottle he was holding. “This...this...apple-flavored rubbing alcohol you brought with you.”

When she was close enough, he put his arm around her and pulled her tight to his chest, planting an apple brandy–flavored kiss on her mouth. “I’ve got news for you,” he whispered. “I’ve got another bottle in the car!”

“Oh, no!” she laughed. “Let’s go rescue it immediately!”

The rest of the evening was a blur. A fun, sexy blur, but still...a blur. They gained a bit of clarity after Zoey warmed up some lobster mac and cheese she had in the fridge. Vickie had brought it over yesterday for her. It was leftover from a dinner party Vickie had at her place to introduce Gordy to some of her book club pals.

Zoey would have loved to have been a fly on the wall for that party. Gordy didn’t seem very bookish, but she had a feeling he could hold his own against the sharp-tongued seniors.

“Someday soon, we’ll be having a party like that,” she said.

“With the book club?” Mike sounded confused.

She winked at him. “With anyone you’d like. Of course, we pretty much have the same circle of friends, so it won’t really be an introduction.” He was looking at her as if she was speaking in another language. She smiled. “I’m going to tell Hazel this week. I don’t know how she’ll take it, but it’s time to face the music.”