Chapter Eight
CHAPTER EIGHT
A few days later, Canon walked into the duplex he and Albie were still sharing. It was quiet. Albie’s car was out front, but besides Mr. Doodle, nothing moved. The cat, at least, had peered up from his warm spot in a sunbeam.
He heard laughter next door. Grammie Nan was having her weekly tea. She was rather famous for her sweet tea. The ladies would flock to Grammie’s house, taking turns bringing scrumptious goodies.
He always looked forward to visiting with them when he had the chance. Grammie would show him off, and he would get to sample everything. Today, he wasn’t as eager to visit. He had wanted to chill and hang out with Albie.
He’d learned that she worked for an accountant and was the liaison for Stitt’s Truck Stop, among other Fortuna businesses. He would have never guessed by the way she’d dressed. But she had informed him that’s the way she dresses for the gym.
Canon changed and bounded down the stairs and out the front door. One more glance up and down the street before he pulled open the door to Grammie Nan’s house.
“There’s my boy. Isn’t he handsome?” Grammie said.
Grammie’s friends cooed and a short old lady named Desire Hardmann pinched his butt as he walked by. He was glad it was his backside this time.
“Hi, Grammie,” He reached for her and pulled her to her feet. Then he hugged her, lifting her. All her friends gasped, giggled, and exclaimed like they always did.
“Put me down,” Grammie huffed with pink cheeks and a smile. “You’ll break me in two.” This time, she tapped his crown with a romance novel. Once he set her on her feet, Canon snatched the book from her hand.
“Oh, this is good,” he said. “It has an unpredictable ending.”
“I beg to differ. It’s predictable,” Desire stated. “It’s a romance. They all end with happy ever after.”
“Yeah,” Canon agreed, stepping out of her reach. “Isn’t that cool? Love triumphs all.”
“Even fires?” He twisted to see Albie sitting between two of Grammie’s regulars. A pretty blush deepened as she lifted her cup to her lips. He stood mesmerized as she sipped.
“Sometimes it’s the love that sets the fire,” Desire said, wiggling her brows.
Canon smirked, feeling his face heat. “I’ll just get a glass of tea and see myself out.”
“Get some of my sticky buns,” Desire said, waggling her eyebrows again.
When Albie returned from the tea, she headed upstairs. From his place on his bed, he saw her top the landing. He laid stretched out in his basketball shorts and no shirt, reading a book, one hand behind his head to prop him on the pillow. She glanced at him, squeaked, and hurried into her room.
He sat up, curling his toes in the carpet. His new mattress was comfortable, but the softness did nothing for the butterflies in his stomach.
He and Albie had become roommates and friends. Sharing TV time and caring for Mr. Doodles. One night while watching TV, she fell asleep with her head on his lap. They’d shopped to get her a secondhand bedroom set. Together, they had painted it. And every time she hugged him, she held on longer than a usual hug until he kissed her head.
Canon’s phone chimed, pulling him out of his daydream. “Man up and ask her out,” Brad texted. The older man hadn’t teased him about Albie, especially after Canon had opened up after book club.
“To what?” Canon volleyed.
“Dinner. A movie. A moonlit walk. I don’t know your girl, you do. You choose.”
Canon smiled and warmth filled him. His girl .
Brad texted again. “The Dare.”
Canon swallowed and opened a book to where he’d hidden his dare papers. A superhero, a train set in the past. He folded them and squared his shoulders. “AImee, wish me luck.”
“Good luck, Canon,” his new home AI responded.
He tapped on Albie’s door. “Come in.”
“Hey, I uh—” Canon’s mouth went dry.
“What do you think?” she asked, swirling. The red dress skirt flared as she spun. Her toned legs caught his attention. He swallowed and motioned for her to spin again.
“Nice.”
“Do you think so?”
“What’s it for?”
She tilted her head as if debating to tell him. “Well, I was hoping—”
Ring! The doorbell clanged. “I’ll get it.” Before he left, he winked, and she blushed.
He took the steps three at a time, hoping whoever it was would be quick. Canon opened the door and found a smirking B.J., holding a handful of novels.
“Hello, I was talking to Brad about you-know-what.” B.J.’s gaze shifted as he leaned left, peering over Canon’s shoulder. “We found these in the book hoard. Thought they might give you some ideas you can research.” He wiggled his brows.
Canon sighed. Behind him, the stairs creaked, and he hoped Albie had changed.
“Are you going to invite me in?” B.J. asked, stepping into the room. “Hello, Albie. You look like a dream come true.”
“Thank you.” Albie glanced from one man to the other. “How will reading romance novels be research?” she asked, one dainty brow raised.
“Oh boy,” Canon mumbled, rubbing the back of his head. “Thanks a lot,” he growled to B.J.
Ignoring Canon, B.J. stepped closer toward the stairs. “I'd be happy to enlighten you. Would you care to join me for a drink?”
Canon clenched his fists as heat rose to his face.
Albie skipped down the stairs to Canon’s side. She slipped her arm through his and placed her head on his shoulder. “That’s very kind of you, B.J., but Canon and I have plans.”
Instantly, the anger that had been building slipped away. He smiled down at her.
B.J. rocked back on his boots and snapped his hand. “That’s a shame. I hear there’s a great deal on dinner at Hammered tonight.”
“Would you like to get dinner?” Canon asked Albie. A new warmth spread in his gut.
“That sounds perfect.” She tiptoed and kissed his cheek. “Thanks for asking. I’ll finish getting ready.”
“Wait—” B.J. said, stopping her in her tracks. “You look great already. What more is there?”
She blushed and glanced down at her feet.
Canon offered, “Her jewelry. And she likes to put this thickener stuff on her lashes. It really makes them pop, although they’re spectacular without them.”
“You are an observant one,” B.J. teased with a laugh.
“He’s my hero,” Albie said, reaching the steps.
“That’s perfect! It fits the dare perfectly.” B.J. slapped Canon on the back.
Albie’s eyes narrowed, and she stopped three steps up. “What dare?”
The happy warmth dissipated, and Canon’s stomach turned to lead. “I will explain at dinner. B.J., the king of dares, is something else.”