Family Man

right, what about that little place near Edmonds?”
    “Too far out of town.”
    “And the location near the interstate?”
    “It was all right for a gas station,” Luke admitted, “but not for a place like Pesto Presto. Take it from me, Katy, the agent didn't show you one decent location. They were all second rate.”
    “She was showing me locations in my price range.”
    “Then you'd better think twice about opening up Pesto Presto anytime soon. Wait until you can afford a decent location.”
    “I'm not going to wait one second longer than I absolutely have to wait,” Katy ground out.
    “Don't let your irritation with Gilchrists in general drive you into doing something stupid.”
    “I don't believe this.” Katy threw up her hands and turned to Matt. “You see? It was like that all afternoon. He just sat there in the backseat and made nasty comments about every single location the agent showed me. It was a miserable experience.”
    Matt looked distinctly uncomfortable. He glanced quickly from one to the other. “Uh, yeah. Well, I guess there's no big rush, is there? I mean, you've got time to find something.”
    Luke smiled approvingly. “Good point, Matt. There's no rush at all. Katy's got plenty of time to find a location.”
    Katy gave him a smoldering look. “Fortunately, I do have some time. But I will undoubtedly have to find another real estate agent before I can go out looking again. That poor woman who took us around today will never want to see me again. I still cannot believe some of the things you said.”
    “Business comments.” Luke ambled into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. “You should have been grateful.”
    “Business comments my foot.” Katy trailed after him, still scolding. “You were deliberately trying to make things difficult, Luke Gilchrist. And I will never, ever take you out on another location search. What are you doing?”
    “Pouring myself a glass of wine. I'm pouring one for you, too. Something tells me you need it even more than I do.”
    “If you think I'm going to invite you to stay for dinner after the way you behaved this afternoon, you can think again.”
    Luke gave her a reproachful look. “I don't have anything to eat back at my cottage.”
    “Tough.”
    “Think of Zeke. You know how much he looks forward to trying out your pesto creations.”
    “I am not cooking for your dog.”
    Zeke appeared in the doorway, looking hopeful. Luke smiled sadly at him. “It's not looking good, boy. I'm trying to talk her into a meal, but she's in one of her moods. Probably that time of the month.”
    Katy's outrage jumped another notch. “Don't you dare make stupid, idiotic, macho comments like that.”
    Luke smiled grimly. “I'm just evening the score a bit. Or don't you think I get a little tired of all those Gilchrist mood remarks? I swear, if you tell me one more time that I'm sulking or being difficult or melodramatic because it's in the blood, I'm going to do something drastic.”
    “Yeah?” She lifted her chin in challenge. “Like what?”
    “I don't know. Try it and see.”
    Katy took a deep, calming breath and went to the refrigerator to take out a plastic sack full of fresh basil. Zeke whined happily.
    Matt came to stand in the doorway. “Have you two stopped arguing?” he asked.
    “I have,” Luke assured him. “I don't know what your sister's plans are for the evening.”
    Katy realized she would sound extremely petty and childish if she continued to berate him for his actions that afternoon. She adopted an air of lofty disdain as she rinsed the basil leaves. “Don't worry. I don't intend to discuss this matter any further. Suffice it to say I have learned my lesson. I will never hire you for professional advice, Luke.”
    “Your loss,” he said cheerfully. “By the way, I'm going into Seattle to talk to some people at headquarters tomorrow. I want you to come with me. We'll be staying over, so bring a bag.”
    Katy smiled brightly. “Sorry. I'm going to be busy tomorrow afternoon. Got to catch up on some of the things I had to put aside today.”
    “You work for me, Katy, remember? I want you with me tomorrow.”
    She eyed him warily, not trusting the bland tone of his voice. “In that case, I'll take my own car. There's no need for me to stay overnight.”
    “Yes, there is. We're having dinner at the Pacific Rim. I'm going to sample the menu and check out the service.”
    Katy scowled at him. “Fat lot of good it will do