There was nothing like a bit of elbow grease and hard rock to make a man forget his worries. Not that I had worries, not really, but I had thoughts. More thoughts about Vivi than I would like, which is why I skipped the electric tools as I got started on her headboard, carving and sanding until my arms and back screamed in agony. It was better than the agony below the belt which had seemed to increase lately.

Which meant it was time to stop planning to call Zeke, and actually call him. And I would. As soon as I made some headway on this headboard. Vivi wanted something detailed and grand, beautiful she’d instructed, and I made sure that all my clients walked away satisfied. So I worked hard, for long hours I carved intricate swirls into the posts on either side, sanding down the areas that needed it, and stepping back to double and triple check my progress.

It was coming together, but even though I’d made plenty of progress, there was still a long way to go. But it was plenty of progress for today. One of the best parts of my job was that I got plenty of physical activity which meant I didn’t have to always make time for the gym. A quick shower to wash away the sweat and wood shavings, and it was time for lunch, which revealed that I also needed to go grocery shopping.

“Crap.”

“Well, that’s no way to greet your best friend,” Zeke said, his voice startling the hell out of me. “And by the way Sheriff, you might want to lock your doors.”

“Yeah, try saying that to Norah.” She was a whirlwind, running here and there as the mood suited her. “This morning, she tore out the front door and over to Vivi’s place to ask her for help with some hairstyle, interrupted her morning yoga and then darted back with just enough time to earn me an evil glare from Principal Martin.” But the sight of Vivi in what passed for yoga gear was worth the trouble.

“Yoga? Tell me more.”

I flicked my gaze to the paper bag in his hand. “Something in there for me?”

He flashed a smirk and set the bag down. “Roast beef with horseradish and caramelized onions and cheddar. Dill chips and a six pack of a new microbrew I’m trying out.”

“Market research?” I twisted the cap off and took a look at the bottle with the bikinied tomboy riding an old school banana bike. “Scotch ale? I like it.”

“You were saying something about yoga pants?” Zeke rubbed his chin, one brow hitched up to encourage me to spill.

“More like yoga booty shorts only, it was a one piece. Light purple.” And it hugged her curves like nobody’s business, especially that delectable looking ass that was firm, but had enough jiggle to make it fun to watch her move. “She’s in good shape.”

“Sounds like amazing shape. Based on the look in your eyes, I mean.” With a wide shit eating grin, he bit into his own vegetarian monstrosity of a sub sandwich. “So you gonna do something about it?”

“No. We’re friends.” And no matter what my cock said, I was in control. “Besides, it would get too messy with us being neighbors and all.”

“Or it could be fun. Late night rendezvouses and sneaking home at dawn.”

That did sound nice. But dangerous. “Or it could get messy and complicated. Besides, Norah likes her, and she hasn’t liked much of anyone lately.”

“Then you don’t mind if I ask her out?”

Hell yeah I minded! But what could I say? We were friends. Just friends.

“Not at all. Just don’t mess with her.” Zeke stared at me with that intense stare of his that seemed to see everything. The worst part was that he didn’t say anything. “You would’ve made a fine detective.”

“You’re really going to let me ask her out?” He shook his head. “And here I thought you were the smart one. Man, stop being stupid, will you?” He took a few more bites of his sandwich, taking turns moaning over the sandwich and shaking his head at me.

“We’re friends, Zeke.”

“Whatever you say, Nash.”

I needed to change the subject and fast. “You busy tonight?”

“Yep, going to check out this new club in the city with live music.”

I rolled my eyes. Every inch of New Orleans had live music, especially after dark. “Want company?”

“Do I want a wingman? Damn right, I do.” He grinned and finished his sandwich before tackling the chips and another beer. “Because you’re trying to prove something to yourself, I’ll wait to ask out Viviana.” He licked his lips. “Even that name sounds sexy on my lips.”

“Zeke,” I growled which was a mistake, because it only made the asshole laugh.

“Sorry, friend. I do hope you get that protective when people talk about me like that.”

“Every single time, and you should hear what they say!” Zeke glared this time, and I laughed, dodging a chip he threw at me just as a knock sounded. A slow, lazy knock that I knew well. “Hold that thought.” I pulled the door open and found Vivi worrying her plump bottom lip. “Hey.”

“You’re not in the middle of some afternoon delight, are you?” She fidgeted and hopped from one foot to the other.

“No, why?” I crossed my arms and leaned against the door, taking her in. She was adorable when she was anxious.

“Because I need your help, and it would be weird to ask if you were just balls deep in someone else.” I coughed at her words and took a step back. “Thanks. So if not some midday nookie, who’s car is out front?”

“Zeke’s,” I said at the same time Zeke said,

“Mine.”

She turned with a friendly smile. “The famous Uncle Zeke.” Vivi stuck out her hand, friendly and open as usual, with none of the usual desire and flirtation he was used to. It probably made me a dick for being happy about that, but I was.

“And you’re Vivi, who walks on water.”

She laughed. “Maybe, but somehow I manage to trip over even that.” She turned back to me, a twinkle in her big green eyes. “Which is, kind of, why I’m here.”

She nibbled her bottom lip again, and I had to have a quick private chat with my cock. “Are you going to make me guess?”

“Let me,” Zeke said in a low, joking voice.

“Sorry dude, but I don’t know you,” she told him and walked over to me, turned around and bent over. “It’s on my right leg right below my butt cheek,” she said, her voice muffled.

“Damn, Nash, you get all the luck.”

“Shut it,” we both told him at the same time.

“Something stung me, I’m pretty sure, because I saw it. But I’m not sure there’s enough yoga in the world that would let me hold my thigh and a mirror plus tweezers to pull it out so…can you?”

She was torturing me, that had to be it. Either that or it was some kind of cruel joke. “Yeah, sure. Did you disinfect it?”

“Yes and no. I put some alcohol on it, but it burned like hell so I rinsed it off.”

“Seriously, Vivi? Let me get my tweezers.”

She stood and faced me before pulling a small silver set of tweezers from her cleavage. “Got it. Ignore the warmth,” she said and shoved it in my hand. As though I could ignore the warmth knowing that it was from her tits.

“Right.” Vivi bent over again and I knelt behind her, ignoring the scent of flowers mixed in with her feminine sweat became impossible. The curve of her ass tempted me beyond all reason.

“You okay back there, buddy?”

I flipped Zeke off and repositioned the tweezers. “I need to tighten your skin.”

“Go ahead and do what you gotta do, Nash. I’m not shy.”

“No kidding. Hush before I pull something you don’t want me to pull.” She laughed, wiggled her ass a little and I had to bite back a groan. Once I was able to block out all the feminine curves, I could see the problem. “That’s a big ass stinger. What bit you?”

“Not sure, Nash. I don’t spend all day staring at my ass.”

“Pity,” Zeke said with a chuckle.

“Do you ever turn it off?” She asked and I had to hide my smile. Another reason Vivi was awesome, she didn’t fall at Zeke’s feet.

“No one has ever asked me to before.”

“That’s too bad. You’re pretty to look at, and Norah thinks you’re the cat’s meow.”

“The cat’s meow?” He arched a brow and she laughed, but it turned into a squeal as I grabbed the stinger and pulled it out.

“When you hang out with a little girl, the “fucking shit” isn’t quite appropriate. Damn, that hurt.” She stood nimbly and rubbed the back of her thigh. “Thanks, Nash.”

That smile should be registered as a weapon. “No problem.”

“You boys stay out of trouble.” She turned towards the door and then came back for her tweezers.

“Vivi, help me convince this old man to go out with me tonight, will ya?”

She looked up at me with a frown. “You don’t want to go out?”

“Not sure. It’s been a while.” That was true, but I was also fulfilled by my friendship with Vivi so I didn’t need to go out. But there was still one thing left unsatisfied, and it needed to be dealt with. Tonight.

“Go. Send Norah over later, and have fun.” She turned to Zeke with a smile. “Nice to finally meet you, Uncle Zeke.”

“Likewise.” Zeke grabbed her hand and kissed it, giving her his best bedroom eyes.

I wanted to punch his stupid, pretty face.

“Okay, I can see how that works for you. But in addition to knowing that you prefer Pinky Swear lip gloss to Red Alert, I also know that you have a lot of girlfriends. A lot, a lot, in the words of a reliable source.”

“Damn, cockblocked by a kid.” I held my breath, wondering if Vivi would be offended while hoping she wouldn’t.

“Oh my god!” She stared at Zeke with wide eyes for two beats, and then doubled over laughing. “I can’t believe you…oh, man.” She laughed and laughed until tears streamed down her cheeks and she began to choke. I shoved a glass of water in her hand and pushed her into a chair. “All right, Zeke, we’re gonna be friends.”

“That’s the wrong F word, sugar?”

“It’s the only one you’re gonna get, lover boy.” When Vivi walked out, Zeke was still laughing.

“I like her. A lot. This is going to be fun.”

I stood taller and a dark look crossed my face. “What is?”

“Watching things unfold between you two.”

He was wrong. “Nothing to unfold.”

“That’s why it’s going to be so fun!”