But that family … just watch yourself, Emma. You’ve had a rough year and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Of course. Thanks, Mr. Stevens.”
He nods and then disappears back into his office. Well, that tells me absolutely nothing. Since Patrick can’t tell me anything and I have nothing else to go on, I’ll have to use my own judgment here. What’s the big deal? I’m just supposed to be friendly to the guy and then put in a good word for his dad. I shouldn’t have to know his entire background to do that. But as I pack my things to leave for the day, I know I’m just fooling myself. I want to know more about Tank for reasons that have nothing to do with Maxwell Marshall or his insane job offer.
I want to know him because I’m attracted to him. Which is the number one reason I need to stay far away.
As if my thoughts have conjured him, Tank comes through the door at five minutes before closing time. He’s wearing the same beat-up leather jacket he had on a few nights ago at the club. His dark hair is spiked up at the top but not in a metrosexual I use hair product kind of way. This looks more like he’s growing out a buzz cut and his hair hasn’t figured out which direction is down yet.
“You don’t have an appointment today.”
He acknowledges the observation with a slight nod. “I don’t. I didn’t need all those other appointments either. But I’m sure you’ve figured that out by now.”
A warm tendril of pleasure unfurls inside me at his words. The thought had crossed my mind because he seemed to have more frequent appointments than any of our other clients but to hear him confirm it out loud is unexpected. He’s so … forward , sometimes. It’s like he has no fear, of rejection or embarrassment. Then again, considering the things he told me yesterday on our beach date, he’s had far worse to deal with in his life than a girl hurting his feelings.
“Maybe. But then maybe you flirt with every girl you meet.”
“No. I do a lot of things with you that I don’t do with anyone else.”
“Oh, you aren’t normally a beach-going kind of guy?” I tease. He’d seemed so out of place at the beach, like he wasn’t quite sure how to relax.
“Or an ask a girl out repeatedly kind of guy. I just don’t care that much as a general rule.” He tucks his hands in his pockets. “You seem to be the exception.”
“Lucky me.” I gather my things and then slide my arms into my coat. He follows behind me as I walk out of the law office. My car is parked directly in front of the door.
“You fixed it already?” I’d spent so much time obsessing over Tank that my car had completely slipped my mind.
“It turns out, I know a guy.” He laughs softly and I figure there’s probably way more to that story than I know.
“Still, thank you. If I’d had to go to my usual garage it would have taken at least a week before they’d finished with it. And they’d want my life savings and the blood of my future firstborn child.” I pull out my phone to text Ivy that I don’t need a ride anymore.
“No sacrificial lamb will be needed this time. Although, I feel bad about how off-track things got yesterday. We were interrupted, and then you end up playing hairdresser for my Mom and cleaning her kitchen. This can’t stay on my record. I need a do-over.”
“Well, the thing is I’m not going home. Today is my day to volunteer at the animal shelter.”
Tank leans closer and my breath seizes in my throat when he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. He’s so close that I can see that his eyes are actually a mixture of brown and green.
“Can’t you skip today? I really want to spend some time with you, Emma.”
Something clenches deep and low in my belly as his fingers brush over my cheek. I could skip going to the shelter but I know they really count on my help. They can’t afford to hire more people due to budget cuts. Blowing it off just to go out with a guy, a
“Of course. Thanks, Mr. Stevens.”
He nods and then disappears back into his office. Well, that tells me absolutely nothing. Since Patrick can’t tell me anything and I have nothing else to go on, I’ll have to use my own judgment here. What’s the big deal? I’m just supposed to be friendly to the guy and then put in a good word for his dad. I shouldn’t have to know his entire background to do that. But as I pack my things to leave for the day, I know I’m just fooling myself. I want to know more about Tank for reasons that have nothing to do with Maxwell Marshall or his insane job offer.
I want to know him because I’m attracted to him. Which is the number one reason I need to stay far away.
As if my thoughts have conjured him, Tank comes through the door at five minutes before closing time. He’s wearing the same beat-up leather jacket he had on a few nights ago at the club. His dark hair is spiked up at the top but not in a metrosexual I use hair product kind of way. This looks more like he’s growing out a buzz cut and his hair hasn’t figured out which direction is down yet.
“You don’t have an appointment today.”
He acknowledges the observation with a slight nod. “I don’t. I didn’t need all those other appointments either. But I’m sure you’ve figured that out by now.”
A warm tendril of pleasure unfurls inside me at his words. The thought had crossed my mind because he seemed to have more frequent appointments than any of our other clients but to hear him confirm it out loud is unexpected. He’s so … forward , sometimes. It’s like he has no fear, of rejection or embarrassment. Then again, considering the things he told me yesterday on our beach date, he’s had far worse to deal with in his life than a girl hurting his feelings.
“Maybe. But then maybe you flirt with every girl you meet.”
“No. I do a lot of things with you that I don’t do with anyone else.”
“Oh, you aren’t normally a beach-going kind of guy?” I tease. He’d seemed so out of place at the beach, like he wasn’t quite sure how to relax.
“Or an ask a girl out repeatedly kind of guy. I just don’t care that much as a general rule.” He tucks his hands in his pockets. “You seem to be the exception.”
“Lucky me.” I gather my things and then slide my arms into my coat. He follows behind me as I walk out of the law office. My car is parked directly in front of the door.
“You fixed it already?” I’d spent so much time obsessing over Tank that my car had completely slipped my mind.
“It turns out, I know a guy.” He laughs softly and I figure there’s probably way more to that story than I know.
“Still, thank you. If I’d had to go to my usual garage it would have taken at least a week before they’d finished with it. And they’d want my life savings and the blood of my future firstborn child.” I pull out my phone to text Ivy that I don’t need a ride anymore.
“No sacrificial lamb will be needed this time. Although, I feel bad about how off-track things got yesterday. We were interrupted, and then you end up playing hairdresser for my Mom and cleaning her kitchen. This can’t stay on my record. I need a do-over.”
“Well, the thing is I’m not going home. Today is my day to volunteer at the animal shelter.”
Tank leans closer and my breath seizes in my throat when he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. He’s so close that I can see that his eyes are actually a mixture of brown and green.
“Can’t you skip today? I really want to spend some time with you, Emma.”
Something clenches deep and low in my belly as his fingers brush over my cheek. I could skip going to the shelter but I know they really count on my help. They can’t afford to hire more people due to budget cuts. Blowing it off just to go out with a guy, a
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