Part 38 (2/2)

He was tired-they'd stayed awake long into the night making love-but content.

He waited for the need to bolt that usually followed spending the night, but his only pressing emotion was one of confusion.

Technically he and Penny were both single, consenting adults. They liked each other, obviously found each other attractive. So they'd taken things to the next level. It happened all the time.

In reality, though, things weren't that simple. He and Penny weren't dating. They worked together, and he'd always done his best to keep his personal life very separate from his work environment. And even if they'd once loved each other enough to commit to forever, he didn't believe in do-overs, so why was he here?

Penny stirred, then opened her eyes. ”Morning,” she said. ”What time is it?”

”Nearly six.”

She groaned. ”It's my day to check in the order. I'm going to be late.” She sat up, then smiled. ”I'll be tired all day and it's your fault.”

”Sorry.”

Her smile widened. ”No, no. Don't apologize. It was so worth it.”

She stood and stretched, her naked body his to admire. The proof of her pregnancy jutted out toward him, making her seem more lush. Her b.r.e.a.s.t.s were definitely bigger. He'd already touched every inch of them and wouldn't mind doing it again. Then he glanced at the clock and groaned. He was running late, too.

Five minutes later, she walked out of the bathroom in a robe. Her face was washed, her hair tied back in a braid. ”I'll have to sneak back at some point so I can shower,” she said, pausing to give him a kiss. ”Take your time. Just lock the door behind you, okay?”

”I will.”

She stepped into the closet, reappearing minutes later fully dressed. ”See you at the restaurant,” she called as she hurried down the hall.

He watched her go, then sat up. As easy as that, he thought.

He stood in his ex-wife's bedroom, after making love with her most of the night and wondered what on earth he'd been thinking.

PENNY ARRIVED thirty seconds before the delivery truck. She checked everything in, then stored what needed immediate refrigeration. The sky was bright, the birds were singing and the new cat had left two dead rats by the back door. It was a very good day.

She walked through the quiet kitchen and felt at one with the world. It was as if every cell in her body had just taken a big breath and relaxed. s.e.x was a very fine thing and something she should do more of. Especially if it could be as good as it had been last night.

She supposed that made Cal the perfect lover. Not only did he know what pleased her, he knew without being told. They'd already worked out the kinks in their physical relations.h.i.+p and they didn't have an emotional one.

Oh, sure, she liked him. He was a decent guy. But not for her. They'd already tried that once. Him not wanting kids was too big a hurdle to overcome.

But he sure could make her toes curl.

She went to work on her menu for specials that evening. Sometime around eight-thirty, Edouard showed up. The unnamed cat appeared shortly after, looking fat and sleek and wanting plenty of scratches and petting.

”I don't want to know what you've been doing,” Penny told him. ”But I haven't seen a single rodent since your arrival.”

The cat purred louder.

Naomi strolled in around ten. ”Morning all,” she said. ”How is everyone do-” She stared at Penny. ”Oh. My. G.o.d.”

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