With a Little T.L.C. by Teresa Southwick Page A

think about them. Part of her wanted to call them back. Part of her was afraid he would turn down her offer.
    â€œSure,” he said.
    â€œI just picked up a previously-viewed action thriller at the video store.”
    He held up his wounded hand. “You haven’t seen enough blood today?”
    â€œOr I have an old musical guaranteed to clear the room of testosterone in five seconds flat.”
    â€œLet’s go with video number one. I’d hate to deprive you of your plasma quotient. Besides, if it’s new, you should check it out and make sure there’s nothing wrong with it.”
    â€œRight,” she said, pretending to go along with his thought process. She poured a little more peroxide on his thumb. Couldn’t be too careful.
    â€œI have something I’d like to ask you,” he said.
    Her body tensed. Habit sent her to the place where she believed badly of what he was about to say. She shook off the feeling. Anger bubbled up inside her as strongly as the peroxide on Joe’s thumb. Her father and his chronic unfaithfulness had made her distrustful. She hated that he’d robbed her of the ability to meet a man without automatically assuming he was a deceptive jerk who would make a fool out of her.
    â€œOkay. Ask away,” she said with a bright smile.
    â€œYou know my brother Nick is getting married in four weeks.”
    She nodded. “A June wedding. What about it?”
    â€œWould you like to go with me?”
    She halted in the act of dabbing at the moisture on his hand. “Me?”
    â€œYeah. We’re friends and you would be doing me a big favor.”
    â€œHow’s that?” she asked.
    â€œNumber one, it would get the meddling Marchettis off my back. Ma never misses an opportunity to play cupid. She keeps asking me if I’m bringing anyone and uses the excuse that she needs a head count for the caterer. Number two, there’s the problem of someone to ride shotgun for me.”
    â€œExcuse me?” she asked.
    â€œEvery wedding I’ve ever been to has an unattached female looking to go home with an unattached guy in the wedding party.”
    â€œYou’re one of the groomsmen?”
    He nodded. “I’m the best man. And before you have a field day with that, it’s the traditional title, not my own comment on my character.”
    She bit back a grin as she dabbed cream on his cut. “I wasn’t going to say a word.”
    â€œUh-huh.”
    â€œExcept that being the best man would make you the best target.” Even if he wasn’t good-looking enough to give whiplash to a parade of nuns.
    He ignored her comment and continued. “Anyway, if you come along as my guest, I won’t have to worry about predatory females and I’ll be able to enjoy my brother’s wedding day.”
    â€œYour cover?”
    He thought for a moment and said, “You could say that. So how about it? Will you go with me?”
    â€œYes. For two reasons. Number one, I really like your family and I would very much enjoy seeing them again. Number two, you held back. You didn’t say I owe you for this whole desk thing and you easily could have. But if I can repay the favor by riding shotgun to protect your virtue, then I would be happy to.”
    â€œGood,” he said.
    After putting ointment on his hand, Liz finished up with a very large Band-Aid. She gave Joe her stern nurse look. “I’m about to give you the benefit of my medical experience in layman’s terms. Keep this booboo clean and don’t get it wet.”
    He saluted. “Aye, aye. In that case, do you mind if I make a phone call?”
    â€œHelp yourself. Phone’s in the office.”
    He nodded. “While I’m there, I’ll make a notation of the wedding date on your calendar.”
    While he was gone, she refused to give in to suspicions of him calling another woman. He had every right to call anyone he wanted. It