“Actually, we’re going back to the place on the lake.”
He frowned. “Isn’t that the restaurant where the fury who took on the form of Gluttony attacked you guys a few weeks ago?”
“It is, but we never really got to enjoy our dinner that night. Since it’s not the restaurant owner’s fault, we thought we would give it another try.”
“Do you think you’ll be able to relax there?”
“I don’t see why not. I can relax anywhere.”
Tyler made a dubious face. “I love you dearly, but that is a bald-faced lie.”
“It is not.” Hannah was indignant. “I’m a very easygoing individual.”
“Oh, the fact that you can say that with a straight face is hilarious.” Tyler poked her side when she refused to smile. “You’re as high-maintenance as they come.”
Hannah wasn’t positive — mostly because he said it with such good-natured charm — but she was fairly certain there was an insult buried someplace in there. “I’m not high-maintenance. I’m low-maintenance.”
He held her gaze for a beat and then nodded. “Right. My mistake.”
She frowned. “I really am low-maintenance.”
“That’s what I said.” He went back to fussing with the bridle he’d been working on before Hannah arrived with Jinx in tow. “You don’t have to worry about your furry son. I promise to protect him with my life.”
“I’ve never doubted that,” Hannah reassured him.
When she didn’t move to leave, Tyler slowly tracked his eyes back to her. “Do you need something else?”
“No.” Hannah offered him a pretty smile. “I’m just waiting for Cooper to show up. He had to run home and change.”
“You should have him give up his place and move in with you. He spends almost every night above the saloon with you anyway. It would probably make things easier if he could keep an eye on you up-close-and-personal on a regular basis.”
Hannah’s frown was back. “I don’t need anyone to keep an eye on me. I’m an adult. I can keep an eye on myself.”
He cast her a sidelong look. “I didn’t say otherwise.”
“I’m strong ... and not weak.”
“Oh, geez.” Tyler rolled his neck. “Is this you being low-maintenance?”
Her scowl was pronounced, only fading — and by a tiny bit — when Cooper approached from the parking lot.
“All set?” he asked, casting her a fond smile.
“I guess.” Her expression was cloudy, which had him pulling up short.
“What did I miss?” Cooper queried, turning an accusatory look in his best friend’s direction. “Did Tyler upset you? If so, I can totally take a few minutes out of my day to chase him around the paddock and make him cry.”
Despite her agitation, Hannah found that she was fighting off a smile. “It’s nothing. I’m ... fine.”
“She’s mad,” Tyler countered, not caring in the least that he was only adding to Hannah’s annoyance. “First she said she was low-maintenance and I disagreed. Then I suggested you should move in with her so you can watch over her. She then responded by saying she’s not a baby and can take care of herself. I think I trampled over her delicate sensibilities.”
Hannah’s eyes turned into narrow slits. “I’m not high-maintenance.”
Cooper’s snort matched Tyler’s earlier offering for tone, but he quickly recovered. “Of course you’re not, baby.” His smile was bright. “You’re the most easygoing person I know.”
Hannah was familiar with his tone, to the point where she knew he was lying. “You think I’m high-maintenance, too.” She folded her arms across her chest and jutted out her lower lip. “I can’t believe this. I’ve been going out of my way to be helpful and giving and I still get a rap for being high-maintenance.”
“Oh, there’s nothing wrong with being high-maintenance,” Cooper countered, sliding his arm around her narrow waist and tugging her close. “It’s not as if you’re high-maintenance like a Kardashian. You just like to talk about things ... a lot.”
“I thought you liked talking to me.”
Cooper wasn’t an idiot. He recognized a trap when he saw one. “I absolutely love talking to you. It’s my favorite thing in the world.”
“You’re lying.”
“I’m not.” He refused to back down. “You know those rare weekends when we get to hole up in your apartment the entire time, when we do nothing but order takeout and spend endless hours in bed?”
She nodded.
“They’re my favorite.”
“Yes, but they’re your favorite because of the ... cuddling and stuff.” Hannah felt awkward having the discussion in front of Tyler. It wasn’t because he was gay, of course, but because he was a complete and total gossip. He liked to spread certain stories from one end of the town to the other and she preferred those stories have nothing to do with her.
“Oh, the cuddling,” Tyler intoned, giving Cooper an understanding head bob. “I am a big fan of the cuddling.”
“Shut up.” Cooper flicked his friend’s ear, causing Tyler to yelp and pull back. “I think this conversation has taken a turn and we should focus on something else.”
“I’m going to agree,” Hannah said. “Only because that’s what a low-maintenance person would do, though.”
Cooper beamed at her. “See. This is working out already.” He tightened his grip on her and focused on Tyler. “Thanks for watching Jinx. Do you want us to pick him up when we get back, or are you keeping him?”
“I’ll keep him, but only because I don’t want you guys waking me up when you get back.”
Cooper rolled his eyes. “It’s not as if we’re loud.”
“Puh-leez. When you guys get back from a night out, Hannah giggles and you make these manly chuffing sounds as you case her. It’s very annoying to a guy who hasn’t had a date in six months.”
“Maybe that’s because word has gotten out that you’re high-maintenance,” Hannah suggested.
Tyler snickered. “You’re never going to let this go, are you?”
“Nope.” Hannah’s smile was sunny as she turned to Jinx. “Be good for Uncle Tyler. Try not to give the goats too much grief. I’ll see you in the morning.” She moved to hug the dog, but he was already distracted by the
