He groaned with great feeling.

Making sure Tabby wouldn’t overhear, she murmured, “I promise to make it up to you.”

“Talk like that and I’ll get a boner.”

Vanity imagined it, then issued her own groan.

With amusement in his tone, Stack said, “Soon, darlin’. Real soon.” He blew out a breath. “You get things hammered out with those security installers?”

“Yes. They’ve already taken care of everything. Very efficient.” She cleared her throat. “Guess I’ll need to give you the code tonight. And I was thinking...” Taking the next step on the phone seemed easier than in person. “You should have a key.”

Without missing a beat, Stack asked, “To your place?”

Very unsure of herself, she nodded. “Yes?”

“Great idea. I’ll give you one to my apartment, too.”

Her jaw loosened. He’d accepted that with no hesitation at all. “Um, okay, great.”

“Did the shelter like your paintings?”

“They were really pleased. Remember the one of the mama dog and her puppies? They liked it enough that they want to hang it in the shelter lobby instead of including it in the auction. I told them I’d make a donation so they wouldn’t have to sell it.”

“I remember it. All the paintings are fantastic, though, so I’m sure the shelter will make a bundle.”

She glowed with his praise. “Thank you.” Belatedly, she realized Tabby was done with her call and waiting. “I guess I should go.”

“Drive carefully.”

“You, too.” She wanted so badly to add that she loved him. It felt natural, like the perfect, appropriate thing to say to Stack. Instead she sighed. “See you soon.”

“Not soon enough.”

Okay, so his impatience was almost as good. Grinning, Vanity put away her phone, pulled on her mittens, and together she and Tabby went out to her car. “Want to just ride with me?”

“Since I took the bus, that’d be great.”

“You didn’t drive?” Vanity unlocked the doors, so they could both get inside.

“Phil has the car.” Tabby smoothed a hand over the leather seat. “Usually walking to the bus stop isn’t a big deal, but it was awfully icy outside today.”

With each passing minute, Vanity disliked Phil more. “I’ll drive you home after we’re done.” Luckily the snow had stopped, and without the wind, it didn’t feel so miserably cold. After Vanity started the car it didn’t take long for the heater to warm the interior, especially with the help of heated seats.

Tabby kept looking around. “I like your car.”

“Thanks. I do, too.” It wasn’t a luxury car by any stretch, but she supposed any new car held appeal. Driving out of the lot, Vanity tried to find the right words. “Didn’t Phil say something about finding a new job?”

Tabby looked away. “I don’t think so.”

“Oh. I thought maybe that’s why he needed the car.”

Tabby just shook her head.

Ooookay. A dead end there. Vanity wasn’t sure how to tactfully ask her about the money she’d given Phil for work boots and such. So she didn’t. Right now, it didn’t matter. She just wanted Tabby to have fun.

The salon wasn’t far from the mall. In true power-shopping mode, Vanity bought herself a few new, cozy sweaters and convinced Tabby to accept two new outfits, new boots, a coat, scarf and mittens.

Within an hour and a half, they were heading home. The roads were clear, the air crystal cold, the early evening a beautiful shade of blue-gray.

Looking somewhat dazed by it all, Tabby kept glancing at the bags in the backseat. “It feels like my birthday and Christmas all rolled together.”

“I loved it,” Vanity assured her. “This has been so much fun.”

“I think you’re nuts, but it’s a terrific kind of nuts.” Admiring her manicured nails, Tabby added, “I don’t know how to thank you enough.”

“I know how. Promise you’ll wear one of the new outfits when we go to the movies.”

Her head lifted. “You still want to?”

“Shoot, yes! You’re terrific company. And you know what? You have to start going to the MMA competitions with me. You’ll love my friend Yvette. She’s married to Cannon Colter.”

“Stack’s friend.”

“Right, do you know him?”

For the rest of the ride home they talked about the fighters, the competitions, and by the time Vanity pulled up to the curb, she’d gained Tabby’s promise to go to some of the local SBC fights with her. Denver Lewis would fight in a week in Columbus, and even though Vanity offered to pay her way, Tabby said she couldn’t yet afford the time off work.