But the most immediate source of Roxie's anxiety was probably the phone calls she'd received from the kennel where her behaviorally challenged dog was being boarded. They'd informed her that Lilith was not socializing well with male dogs and male kennel workers. This was not a shocker.

Though Ginger had enjoyed the tasty seared tuna and the mixed green salad, she couldn't relax during dinner, either. Her mind kept wandering back to Luciothe expression on his face when she gave him her card, that sly grin that revealed his amusement at her lack of willpower. All she'd needed to do was say good-bye and walk away. But she'd left the door open for Lucio when she gave him her card.

Why? Why? Why had she done that? She didn't need a man in her life. She wouldn't have the time or energy to deal with a man even if she had one. Especially a man who stretched the truth!

Which reminded Ginger of the main reason for her unease. Her boys were staying with Larry for the weekend, which was nothing unusual. But her ex-husband's attention span was growing increasingly short, and Ginger wasn't sure she could trust him to keep an eye on the twins, or, more specifically, Jason. She knew Joshua could take care of himself and most of the West Coast. But Jason needed eagle-eyed adult supervision, something that had recently proven too much for Larry.

In the last few months, Jason had been picked up for curfew violation, destruction of public property, and underage drinkingall while in Larry's care. In each instance, Larry admitted he'd been preoccupied with a girl, which wasn't a sexist comment because he clearly preferred the company of females under twenty-one years of age. Maybe he always had.