A Little Harmless Fantasy(71)

He pulled back and looked at him. “It’s hard at times, this relationship. Most of the time I am okay with it, all the time really. Just hearing she had talked to you about her folks, that’s…well, she avoids it.”

“And you’ve known her longer and you love her.”

“Just me?” Rory made a face. “Okay, I won’t push you but at some point you’re going to have to deal with it. Both of you.” He gave him a kiss.

“Now, get some breakfast for me, or I might just kick you to the curb.”

“I’d like to see you try.”

When Rory turned he noticed that Maura was walking down the stairs and she was watching them.

“No, don’t stop on my account. I find it very sexy,” she said, her voice happy—truly happy. He realized that for all the months he had known her, he had never seen her this happy.

“What did Jillian want?” Zee asked and pulled her into his arms as Rory went back to work on breakfast.

“She’s stuck and needs to get out of the house for a bit. She wanted to know if I could run into Kailua Old Town and do some shopping this afternoon. I hope that’s okay.”

No, it wasn’t bleeding okay. He wanted her to stay there with them, not out traipsing around. But he didn’t say anything.

“Yes, we need to talk to Conner about a couple things. Did you want to go out tonight?” Zee asked.

She scrunched up her nose and shook her head. “Can we stay in tonight? I can pick up whatever Rory wants to make us for dinner. We have a great place to dine on the lanai and I would rather enjoy the sunset from there and just relax with you two.”

He shared a glance with Zee. “Sure. That sounds like a great plan.”

She looked at the bread he had in the pan. “That breakfast isn’t going to cook itself.”

She gave him a kiss and wandered over to get more coffee. He forced himself to focus on cooking. He would have time enough later to worry about the woman who was worming her way into his heart.





Jillian smiled at Zeke when she stepped in the door. She was dressed like she normally did. Do rag on her head, cut off shorts, and an old T-shirt. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.

“I promise not to keep her long. We need some girl time.”

“No problem, Jillian.”

“Yay, girl stuff,” Maura said. She gathered up her purse and glasses. Then, she stopped and grabbed her hat. As if it was the most natural thing in the world, she gave Rory a kiss then him. “Should be home soon. Text me what you want me to pick up for dinner.”

They watched as the women climbed into the Jeep and then headed off for their day of fun.

“So, what do you want to do?” Zeke asked. He was antsy, ready to do something—anything. He wasn’t accustomed to long days of leisure.

Rory frowned. “I’m planning on relaxing out back. I think you have a few dishes to clean up.”

He glanced over at the kitchen. “Dammit, she left me with the plates to clean up.”

Rory laughed. “Our Maura isn’t stupid, that’s for sure.”

For a second he said nothing as he let the words sink in. He had seen the way Rory had reacted earlier. Rory had never had a real relationship with a woman. One night stands or fuck buddies for vacations, but no real relationship. In truth, Zeke was pretty sure he was the only relationship he had ever had that was, well, a relationship.

“Our?”

Rory looked up at him. “What?”

“You used the word ‘our’ for Maura.”

He frowned. “Well she is.”

“Come on, admit it. You want to make this permanent.”

He said nothing but turned around to find something on the TV.

“I don’t know if I can do that.”

His heart sank. The only hope he had at the start of this was that somehow they might all make it through the week and maybe they could keep it going. He thought it was a long shot until he saw the way Rory and Maura had interacted. Every time the three of them made love that connection seemed to grow stronger. He had been hoping against hope that they would end up together in the end. The interaction he’d seen this morning at the breakfast table had reinforced the idea that Rory was falling for her. There was only one thing that could be keeping Rory from committing.

“You’re afraid.”

“No.” He stood up and threw the remote control down on the couch. “That’s not it.”

Zeke watched the man he’d loved more than ten years struggle. He hurt for him, but Zeke was also glad for it.

“Do you want to elaborate?”

Rory’s frown turned darker and the look he shot Zeke told him he was trying to think of ways of killing him. It made Zeke want to dance.