Read Online Hot Licks by Jennifer Dellerman - Free Book Online Page B

about to ensure their privacy. “You sure you’re okay? Rome said yesterday you looked as if you had some bruised ribs.” Her eyes narrowed. “And you smelled of alcohol.”
    Dennis’s lips tightened at the accusation. “I wasn’t drunk.”
    “All right, but you also weren’t coming down with a cold. You were in a fight.”
    He kicked at the ground. “Yeah, but it’s not like we started it. Paul and I were getting ready to leave the bar – before midnight I’d like to add – when these two guys came up to a group of other guys next to us and start talking smack. Next thing I know, beer is thrown, fists are flying and I’m somehow in the middle of a fight I had nothing to do with in the first place.”
    Gwen’s brow furrowed. “So you were an innocent bystander?”
    He lifted a scrawny shoulder. “I think those guys were just looking for a fight and we just happened to be in the right place at the wrong time.”
    “Where the cops called?”
    “We didn’t stick around to find out. Never did see either of the two guys that started the whole mess again.
    They must have bailed when things started getting out of hand. I mean everyone in the bar was fighting and throwing stuff. It was crazy.”
    “Hmm.” Digesting all that, she glanced down at her watch. “It’s eleven-forty. I’m going to head up to the house and scrounge around for some food. Why don’t you come with me?”
    Dennis shook his head. “No, but thanks. I brought my own. I think I’ll spend my lunch hour in the lounge. Maybe grab a quick nap on the couch.”
    He did seem pale and he moved slowly as if
    everything ached, which it probably did, but he hadn’t complained once. They still had a lot of work today and she worried he might cause more physical damage to himself.
    A period of rest would do him good, but she had to consider she might need to cut him loose after lunch.
    “Probably a good idea, just set an alarm. We need to get the reserve line finished before it rains.”
    Dennis looked up at the few soft clouds that littered the otherwise blue sky. “Rain?”
    As a native Floridian, Dennis should know the weather patterns better than Gwen, which only went to prove how off his game he was. After swiping away sweat from her brow, Gwen pointed out toward the ocean. “Rain.” In the far horizon, the sky took on a gray cast that washed away the endless blue. Based on the direction of the gentle breeze, the curtain of rain was heading their way, just not anytime soon. Though once it reached land it was going to be a lengthy downpour.
    She turned to head back toward the jeep she’d parked midway of her section of fencing. “I’ll drive you to the crop shop.” The name they used for the building that housed the offices and the produce equipment.
    “Yeah. Okay.”
    Though they walked to the jeep in silence, Gwen had the feeling Dennis wanted to say something more. She didn’t prod, knowing if he wanted to talk, pushing wouldn’t help. He needed to make up his own mind.
    It was as they were nearing the office he cleared his throat. “So I was thinking.”
    Gwen glanced over to see him staring out the open side window. “Yes?”
    His hands rubbed over his thighs. “I don’t have school on Tuesdays, so, uh. I was wondering if I could pick up some more hours. I mean, you don’t work Tuesday and Wednesday so maybe they could use an extra hand. At least on one of those days.”
    Gwen wondered why, after over a month in school, Dennis just now brought the subject up. Then it hit her.
    Starving college student. Though she had opted to live at home while attending college, Dennis was living in a house he shared with three other guys, all of whom were working part-time while attending college. Money was probably tight. Though why he didn’t jump at the chance for a free lunch Gwen didn’t understand. Unless it was due to male pride or guilt or some other such nonsense. Very little came between Gwen and food.
    “As much as I would