Free Someone Like You by Susan Mallery

about wine? I’ve only had one glass and that was about three hours ago, so I’m probably safe.”
    â€œNot looking for a repeat of yesterday?”
    â€œI think not. I like to keep my passing out to a minimum.”
    â€œProbably a good policy.”
    He grabbed a bottle of cabernet from a small wine rack on the counter and opened it. When he’d poured them each a glass, he sat across from her and removed the foil. The delicious smell made his stomach growl.
    â€œI knew you hadn’t eaten,” she told him.
    â€œEm was full when I brought her home and it seemed like too much trouble to fix something just for me.”
    â€œTypical male,” she murmured, and sipped her wine.
    â€œThat’s a little judgmental.”
    â€œBut true.”
    He ignored that and took a bite of the lasagna. Even if he hadn’t been starved it would have been delicious. “Your aunt sure knows how to cook.”
    â€œAgreed. I had two servings at dinner.” She leanedback in her chair. “As did your daughter. Want to know how we got Emily to have some?”
    He glanced down at the tomato sauce covering the lasagna and remembered his daughter dressed entirely in purple. “She didn’t put up a fuss?”
    â€œWe played dress-up. Funny how the princess dress just happened to be red. She didn’t change back into her regular clothes until after the meal.”
    â€œPretty slick.”
    â€œYou’ll have to thank my aunt, not me. She’s the one who came up with the idea.”
    He put down his fork. “I’m sorry she’s so difficult.”
    â€œEmily? She’s not. She’s a sweetie.”
    â€œBut she’s dealing with some tough issues. The divorce. Being here for the summer.”
    â€œOf course. It’s all been strange for her, but if the worst of it is a little manipulation of the adults around her by being picky with food, I think you’re going to be fine. It’s a pretty safe way to act out.”
    He hadn’t thought of it that way.
    Sometime in the past few hours, Jill had let down her hair…literally. It fell long and straight to the middle of her back. She had even, delicate features—wide-set eyes, a straight nose and a stubborn pointed chin. She’d been a cute kid, but she was a beautiful woman. He vaguely remembered her having a crush on him when she’d been fifteen or sixteen. If she trailed after him with those puppy-dog eyes now, he’d have a hell of a time resisting her.
    â€œHow was your meeting with the social worker?” she asked.
    He tore a piece of garlic bread in half and handed it to her. “You don’t want to know.”
    â€œThat bad?”
    â€œWorse. He’s an uptight just-graduated idealist who doesn’t think men in law enforcement make good fathers. I have to report to him every other week, take care of Emily and not have any run-ins with the law.”
    â€œThat doesn’t sound too difficult, unless you were planning to commit a felony or two.”
    â€œNot this week.” He sipped his wine. “I know his job is to keep Em safe. I want that, too. I want her to be happy. What I don’t like is dealing with Hollis.” He shrugged. “I’ll survive.”
    â€œMaybe you can catch him speeding and give him a ticket. That would be fun.”
    He grinned. “Good idea. I’ll alert my deputies.”
    She nibbled on the garlic bread. “Do you really like it here? Are you happy?”
    He didn’t think in terms of being happy or unhappy. He just was. “I’m glad to be back. As you pointed out, this is a great place to grow up. I’ve always liked the town. Even when I was a teenager and raising plenty of hell.”
    â€œSo this is a permanent move?”
    â€œI’m running for sheriff in November.”
    Jill looked surprised. “An actual election?”
    â€œNot much of one. So far no one else is