AllFreeNovel
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I ignore the way my heart races just a little faster, knowing that I’ll get to see her again tonight. That’s not supposed to happen. She’s a friend, the one who’s doing me a huge solid. My family, both blood and my Everlasting Ink family, are going to benefit greatly from this arrangement. I know that, but I can’t stop thinking about how, for a while, no matter how short that time will be, Monroe is going to be mine.
CHAPTER
SIX
Monroe
I’ve been here a few times before. It’s always been with Emerson. However, it still feels like the first time as I pull into his driveway and put my car into Park. Taking a deep breath, I grab my phone and purse and push open the door. I’m barely at the front door when it’s pulled open and a smiling Legend greets me.
He’s wearing a black T-shirt that’s molded to his muscular frame, a pair of well-worn jeans, and he’s barefoot. Why is that so sexy? His full, kissable lips are tilted into a smile, all aimed at me. “There she is.”
“Hey.” I return his smile.
“I hope you’re hungry.” His ice-blue eyes rake over my body. I’m wearing my scrubs, having come straight from work, but the heat of his gaze makes me feel as though I’m in the skimpiest of outfits.
“Starving, actually. What are we having?”
“Nothing fancy. I grilled some chicken breasts and tossed a couple of baked potatoes on the grill as well.”
“Perfect.”
“Come on in. Make yourself at home.” He holds the door open for me, and I step past him, my shoulder brushing his chest. A spark ignites as we touch, but I pretend to ignore it and keep walking.
“It smells amazing. What can I do to help?”
“Nothing. I just need to grab everything off the grill. You’re right on time. Help yourself to whatever you can find to drink in the fridge. I’ll be right back.” He walks past me, pausing to give my arm a gentle squeeze as he does.
I follow him into the kitchen, grab us each a bottle of water from the fridge, and take a seat at the small dining room table. I allow my eyes to roam around the space. It’s small but surprisingly roomy.
“I marinated the chicken,” Legend says, stepping in from the patio doors. “Do you want any other sauces?”
“No, I should be good.”
He sets a serving platter with grilled chicken and potatoes in the center of the table. “Let me grab the butter, cheese, and bacon bits.” He rushes off to the fridge, and I decide to serve us both while he does.
“Thanks,” he says, placing everything on the table before grabbing his water and taking a long pull. He sets the half-empty bottle on the table and gives me a shy smile that does nothing to ease the tension in the air.
“How was your day, dear?” I smirk, and the nervousness that surrounds us fizzles as we both chuckle at my question.
“I had a client cancel, so I surprised my girl with her favorite drink and some flowers. How about you?”
“That’s so weird. My guy showed up with my favorite drink and flowers. It was a welcome surprise and a first for me.”
“A first?”
“No one has ever given me flowers before.”
“Never?”
“Nope.”
Something happens. His eyes sharpen, and his chest rises and falls a little faster with each breath. “I’m glad I got to be your first.”
It takes all of my focus and effort not to squirm in my seat. Why are his words so… hot? “They were beautiful. Thank you, Legend.”
He nods. “You’re welcome.”
We make small talk throughout the meal. I’ve never had an issue talking with Legend, or any of the guys, for that matter, and tonight is no different. We talk about his client, who came in for a memorial tattoo for his little sister, and I tell him about the adorable little girl who got her first dental cleaning from me today. She was a challenge, but she left smiling and telling her mom she was excited to come back to see her new friend, Mo.
