allergic to chocolate.” She refused to look at him or encourage his flirtatious behavior. “You would’ve lost your only bargaining chip.” She saw his arrogant male grin without even looking at him.
“Oh, I doubt that.”
Ronni did, too. Especially since his shirt molded around his shoulders, back and torso, teasing her with glimpses of his solid, sculpted, muscular chest.
Bodie gazed up at the clear, dark sky. “Beautiful night to be outside.”
Ronni agreed. Ordinarily on nights like this, she would run the woods behind her house, only entering the sanctuary on full moon nights to avoid prowling, unmated males. Since learning of Jeb’s reemergence, Ronni had stayed on her back porch swing. Every shadow that flickered beyond the porch light elicited an involuntary shiver and she hated that the mere thought of Jeb Lyles induced such unease.
Something brushed her thigh and Ronni jumped.
“Everything okay?” Bodie’s deep, soothing voice drew her attention. Warmth spread beneath his palm, flattened against her leg.
“Yes,” she said, swallowing the tightness in her throat.
Doubt lingered in his gaze, but he offered a reassuring smile. He opened the thermos and poured a steaming cup of coffee, then handed it to her. “This should help you shake that chill.”
If only it could.
“Mmm.” She inhaled the fresh, robust aroma before taking a drink. Her body warmed, but it had more to do with the heat Bodie radiated as he scooted close enough for their hips and legs to touch. She shouldn’t allow him the liberty, but strangely she found his closeness comforting.
“Is the home team any good?” he asked.
“I suppose. I don’t really follow football.”
“What do you follow?”
“My instincts.”
“Yeah?” Humor sparkled in his eyes. “What do your instincts say about me?”
She swallowed another mouthful of coffee. “That you’re trouble.”
“Me?” Bodie’s deep, rich laugh rolled through her body like the rumble of distant thunder. “I’m a boy scout.”
“I have serious doubts about that.”
“I like your smile.” His gaze turned molten like liquid gold. “You should wear it more often.”
She looked away. “I’ll take that under advisement.”
“Oh, no.” He playfully bumped her. “Don’t try to hide it from me now. I’ll consider it a challenge to find it again.”
Ronni doubted it would be much of one. She found his playfulness more charming than she should, considering the trouble she could soon be facing.
The crowd roared around them.
“First touchdown of the night for the home team.” Bodie playfully bumped her shoulder. “We’re off to a great start.”
“Don’t get cocky,” Ronni said. “The night is young.”
“And chilly.” Bodie unrolled his sleeves.
Ronni gulped the last of her coffee and handed him the empty cup so he could have a hot drink.
“Your blanket looks toasty. Do you mind?”
“Tit for tat, huh?”
“Something like that.” Smiling, he took the blanket from her lap and wrapped it around their shoulders.
The simple comfort of a warm male body caused her heart to ache. This was so not the time to explore the possibilities.
Dammit, Jeb.
He hadn’t shown up yet and already he was screwing up her life.
* * *
Laughter rose above the comfortable buzz of patrons inside Dino’s Pizzeria. Willow’s soft, lilting tone was among them. Bodie couldn’t remember the last time he’d seen her so happy, carefree. Maybe never.
“They are good kids, right?” he said.
Ronni’s gaze landed on him, only the third time since they’d arrived. “Of course they are.” She gave him a questioning look.
“Willow has had a rough time with mean ones. I don’t want her getting hurt.”
“Alex and Lucas will look after her.”
“She seems to be having a good time.”
“Hmm.” The opening door pulled Ronni’s attention again.
“Are you having a good time?” During the football game, he’d sensed Ronni’s tension and assumed she was nervous because of his attention. Now he was sure it was something else.
“Yes.” She smiled, a perfectly pleasant plastic smile.
“What’s wrong?” Bodie decided to tackle the problem head-on.
“I told you earlier, I wouldn’t be good company.”
“Your company is fine, Ronni. But you jump every time the door opens. Who are you afraid of?”
The warmth drained from her eyes and her smile turned into a brittle frown. “It’s nothing.”
Bodie didn’t push. He wanted Ronni to confide in him but not at the risk of alienating her. He placed his hand over her fingers worrying the paper napkin beside her plate. “If you need someone to talk to...” He shrugged.
“Thanks, but—”
“Ah, don’t shoot me down. I’m hoping to strike a bargain.” He offered her a smile.
Her reddish-blonde brows arched.
“My wife died in childbirth, so it’s always been me and Willow, and my mom.” A dull ache rose in his chest. Though he hadn’t loved Layla, he had planned a future with her and sometimes he missed what could’ve been.
“My mother has helped me raise Willow, but some of her ideas are a bit old-fashioned. It would be nice to have someone to talk to.” Bodie looked over at Willow, her head bent toward Lucas as he showed her something on his phone. When his gaze returned to Ronni, her eyes had warmed and her expression softened.
Just the response he was aiming for.
“It’s hard being a single parent.” She blinked away the water in her eyes, then squeezed his fingers. “I lost my husband over a year ago.”
“Is this your first date since his death?”
Surprise registered in her expression. “This isn’t
