Would he ever have that again? He missed it more than he could say. Give it time, he reminded himself. Give it time.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Rob was in the living room watching the local news when MJ got home. She’d missed him. How was that possible? She’d seen him only a few hours ago. “How was your afternoon?” she asked after hanging her coat on hooks in the front hall. He pulled her to him and captured her mouth with a kiss. Exactly the kind of greeting she liked.
After tasting her mouth and hugging her tightly, he pulled back and put his arm around her shoulder. “Good. I talked to somebody about putting in a security system. Frank Deluzzia from Protect and Defend Alarm Service.”
She drew back to look at him. “Do you really think we need one? This is Ridgeview, not New York City.”
“I don’t like somebody sneaking over the fence and putting out poison for Maverick. Sometimes I’ll be away, and I don’t want to leave you here unprotected.”
“How much is it going to cost? I don’t have extra money in my budget for something like that.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll pay for it. I want some cameras on the backyard, and alarms on the perimeter. Somebody targeted Maverick, and I don’t want to ignore it or assume we’re not in any danger. We don’t know who it was, or what his ultimate intentions are. Having cameras back there would help us identify the trespasser.”
“Okay, I guess, but I can’t let you pay for it.”
“I insist. I want you to be safe. I’ve got savings, and it won’t be that expensive. Frank is coming over tomorrow to install it.”
She scowled at him. “I can’t believe you arranged that without talking to me first.”
He dropped his head like a little boy who’d been caught stealing cookies. Damn it. How could a big, strong warrior be so adorable?
“I’m sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing. This is important. Somebody tried to hurt your dog. I couldn’t stand it if something happened to you or Maverick. I guess I overstepped.” He paused and caught her eye. “I don’t care about the money. Your safety is worth any amount.”
Her heart melted. Between his chastened look and his words, how could she stay mad? His intentions were good, but she wasn’t used to somebody making decisions for her. She didn’t even let her brother Nick get away with that.
“Okay, but next time, don’t make decisions that concern me without consulting me. We need to be equal partners in this relationship. I don’t need some overbearing guy bossing me around.”
“I’m sorry.” He sighed. “I’m not used to checking with somebody else. I’m used to making decisions for me and my teammates. You’re right. If we’re in a relationship, we need to respect one another and check with each other.”
“Thank you. I’m glad you understand.”
He looked up at her, hope shining in his eyes. “Are you still okay with going out for dinner? I meant what I said about celebrating the first step to my recovery.”
“Of course. That sounds like a great idea. Where do you want to go?”
“I’m not sure. What are you in the mood for?”
“I haven’t had Mexican for a long time. I’d love a margarita and enchiladas.”
“That sounds great. I love Mexican food.”
“Then we’ll go to Los Banditos. You’ll like it. They have a huge menu.”
“Okay. Let me take Maverick out again, and then we can go.”
She nodded. “I’ll get him some dinner while you’re doing that.”
“C’mon, boy.” He attached the leash, and Maverick followed him out the back door.
She shook her head. This relationship stuff was a lot of work. They didn’t know each other well enough to predict where the snags would be. Living together no doubt intensified it. She had a feeling this was only the first of many pitfalls they’d discover. They needed to communicate. That was the key.
Rob and Maverick came in from the backyard as she finished pouring the kibble and refilling the dog’s water bowl. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah. He headed right to that bush, but I didn’t notice anything unusual.”
“Good. Hopefully, we’ve seen the last of the threats.”
“I hope so.” He leaned down and tousled the dog’s fur. “You watch everything, Maverick. We’re going out, so you’re in charge.”
She giggled. “Don’t answer the door, boy.” She kneeled down and gave Maverick a hug, followed by a big kiss on his nose. “I love you, Maverick.”
Rob retrieved her jacket and helped her on with it, leaning down and nuzzling her neck. “Hope I get some kisses like that later, only you don’t have to bother with my nose.”
She pretended to be considering it. “We’ll see. I suppose you deserve a reward for confronting your PTSD.”
“Damn right. Now let’s go eat so we can come back and make out.” He pulled her tight into his side.
***
Rob couldn’t have hoped for a better dinner. Los Banditos was one of those great locally-owned authentic Mexican restaurants. MJ introduced him to the owner, Manuel Ortiz, and they heard the story of his family emigrating from Mexico in the 1950’s. They’d opened the restaurant a few years later and had generated a booming business, given how full the place was. Manuel recommended Rob try a combination plate, and he willingly agreed. He wanted to sample a half-dozen things on the menu, and the combo plate allowed him to do that. MJ ordered chicken and cheese enchiladas, along with a margarita. He decided on a beer—Modelo with a lime stuck in the neck. They talked easily
