Bare It All

Maybe he hadn’t had dinner the night before either. His work as a detective had literally landed on his doorstep, and she doubted he’d had time to relax, much less enjoy a real meal. A man his size likely required a lot of sustenance.

Yesterday had consisted of bad guys coming and going, good guys sneaking in, gunshots and arrests, deaths and ambulances.... Shivering, Alice wrapped her arms around herself.

The life-or-death scenario had been unsettling for her, too. Having Reese on her couch, near at hand, gave her a sense of security that no weapon could. Even having Cash underfoot was reassuring. People still left her ill at ease, but animals were so nonjudgmental, so welcoming, she naturally took comfort from them.

Reese didn’t know it, but being Cash’s dog-sitter was the greatest gift. Until he’d proposed the arrangement a few days ago, she hadn’t realized what a difference it made to have another living, breathing creature nearby.

She sighed, noticed several minutes had passed, and decided she’d ask Reese what he’d like to eat.

Picking up her keys, Alice locked the door behind her. Never again would she take chances when it came to security. On her way out, she glanced up the steps at Reese’s apartment door. Unlike in the movies, there was no dramatic caution tape draping it, but yesterday Reese had said his colleagues preferred for him to stay out until they’d finished gathering their forensics, or taking photos, or whatever they had to do. She really had no idea of police procedure. Other than Reese, she’d never known a good officer.

Sure, she’d been acquainted with a few shady men who claimed the badge but not the honor that should have been inherent in the job. Yesterday, she’d met good cops.

She’d learned the hard way to recognize the difference.

Remembering the day before made her palms sweat. Yes, Reese had only come to her because of the destruction in his place, but she was glad for any reason. While she hopefully put up a brave front, no way had she wanted to stay alone.

As she’d done so many times, she pushed the unpleasant memories to the back of her mind and went down the steps to the glass, double entry doors.

Before she stepped out, she saw Reese standing there in the shade, Cash’s leash held loosely in his hand.

Two neighbor ladies, one a beautiful blonde with oversize breasts, the other a cute and petite brunette, stared at him adoringly while chatting.

They wore jogging shorts and sports bras and had a lot of skin showing. They stood far too close to him for mere conversation.

Alice didn’t think about it, didn’t even have time to process her reaction before she found herself striding out to the yard and right up to Reese and Cash. She snatched the dog’s leash from his hand, startling him.

Lifting one eyebrow, he looked down at her. “Alice.”

Her heart punched painfully against her breastbone. Unfair that a man with morning-rumpled hair and whiskers could still manage to look so good. “The coffee’s done.” She stared at the women while thrusting the keys out to him. “I can wait with Cash until he finishes up, if you’d like to go on in and get a cup.”

Slowly his expression shifted from surprise to amusement. “Why, thank you, Alice.” With a knowing grin, he accepted her key ring. “Your hospitality knows no bounds.”

She had no idea how to reply to that.

With a pleased smile, Reese touched her cheek, bid good day to the others and headed inside. The bright sunshine gleamed on his shoulders and gilded his fair hair. Though barefoot, he didn’t pick his way across the grounds; he strode like a confident man in control of himself and those around him.

When Alice realized that she wasn’t the only one noticing, she cleared her throat, loudly.

The blonde laughed. “Sorry, honey, but you know, I just can’t pull my eyes away. He’s an awful lot of man.”

The brunette agreed. Looking at Alice, she asked with palpable doubt, “So, you two have a thing?”

A thing? Understanding sank in. “What? No!” Alice looked down at herself, too. No, she wasn’t cute and petite like the brunette, and she certainly didn’t have the curves that the blonde flaunted. She was just herself, plain, understated, most times all but invisible.

Hadn’t she been told that often enough?

And thank God for it.

“We’re only neighbors.”

“Uh-huh, sure you are.” The friendly blonde continued to smile. “I wish I was that type of neighbor, too. I’ve suggested it, but I swear, Reese is a squirrely one, always dodging me.”

“You’ve actually suggested...”

“That we hook up, sure. And believe me, I haven’t been subtle!” She laughed. “I figured he turned me down because we’re too close for comfort, being in the same apartment building and all that. But if he’s spending the night with you, then that must not be an issue for him.”

The women stared at her, waiting for an explanation. Why hadn’t she left well enough alone? She had no claim on Reese, so she should have kept her nose out of it.

But she had butted in, behaving like a territorial girlfriend, giving them reason for speculation. Walking away now would be both rude and fodder for gossip.

“Do you both live here?” she asked, while trying to decide how to proceed.

“Upper floor,” the brunette said. “She’s on one side of Reese, and I’m on the other.”

“Doesn’t that sound naughty?” The blonde laughed again. “We’ve known Reese awhile now.”

Alice’s temples pounded. “How...nice.”

The blonde performed introductions. “I heard Reese call you Alice. I’m Nikki, and she’s Pam.”

“Hello.” Until Reese, Alice had managed to keep her distance from all of her neighbors. Now she had Reese’s admirers curious about her.

Knowing she’d just complicated her life, Alice turned her attention to Cash. Perhaps she could distract the women by playing with the dog?

But no, Cash flopped down in a ray of sunshine and looked so comfortable, she hated to disturb him. There was no help for it. She smiled at the women. “If you live that close to Reese, then you already know what happened yesterday.”

Pam lifted both brows. “You mean between the two of you?”

“No!” Good grief. Such a suggestion. “Really, nothing happened between us.”

Nikki grinned some more.

“I was talking about the police conflict that took place in his apartment.”

“We were out late,” Pam said.

“And much of the morning, too,” Nikki added. “What happened?”

Hoping to extricate herself soon, Alice did her best to summarize. “Yesterday, I saw a person going into Reese’s apartment, so I called him.”

“You have his number?” Pam asked with disbelief.

“I... Yes.” Alice wanted to groan. Pam and Nikki looked ready to pounce on her every word. She nodded toward Cash. “I watch his dog for him while he works, so it was necessary to exchange numbers.”

The women peered at Cash with disdain. Nikki said, “He pees everywhere. I’d send him to the pound for that.”

Feeling very protective of the dog, Alice scowled. “He’s a puppy still. He’s learning.”