I snapped my fingers, pointing at her.“That’s why you looked so familiar.There’s a painting of you on the building, isn’t there?”
She palmed her forehead.“Uh, yeah.My hubby thought that would be a cool birthday present for me last year.The artist was crazy-talented, obviously.But I cringe every time I walk in and see myself plastered on the side of my building.”
I chuckled as I watched her pour a drink for herself.“Can’t really blame the guy, Codie.If I had a girl who looked like you, I’d probably do the same thing.”
She smiled as she tapped her glass against mine.“You have no filter.I love that.You, me, and Mav, we’re gonna get along just fine.”
I was used to working around burly, beer-chugging, tradesmen and construction workers all day.Before that, prison inmates.I didn’t date, just indulged in one-nighters from time-to-time, so filtering myself wasn’t really an issue.
“Sorry, if I?—”
“Hey, no apologies necessary.”She winked.“I like that you’re a straight-shooter.I am too.”
“You know my story?”I asked, wondering how many people Luc had already told about my past.
She shrugged.“Some, but this is a judgement free zone.We’ve all made mistakes around here, paid our dues.You’re no different.”
I appreciated her willingness to give me a pass, but didn’t feel I deserved one.If my own daughter didn’t want to know me, why would this woman?
“I doubt you’ve committed crimes, hung with gangbangers, bailed on your kid, stole from your folks?—”
“Wow, you’re really going in for the hard sell, aren’t you?”She grinned when I smirked.“Trying to convince me what a great guy you are.Why don’t you let me decide that for myself?”
We shared a look that told me this girl had been through it, and she got me.“I just think it’s better if I tell people up front, who and what I am, that way they can bail before?—”
“Before they get to know you?”She leaned over the counter.“Yeah, I know all about defense mechanisms, Taz.Trying to push people away before they get too close.Can’t get hurt that way, hmm?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.I know your type.Hell, I was your type.”
“Oh yeah?”I hadn’t met too many women like me, but Codie gave off a vibe that made me feel like we could be dark kindred spirits.“What happened?”
“Life happened.”She sighed.“My daddy bailed on us.I got my heart broken.Became a drunk.Met a man who tried to use me as his personal punching bag.Shall I go on?”
“No, I get it.”I took a sip of my drink, wishing for something stronger.I tried not to use alcohol as a crutch, but some days I still needed a little help just to keep going.“We all have our stories.That’s your point, right?”
“My point,” she said, sizing me up slowly.“Is that you wouldn’t even be here unless Luc Spencer saw something in you.So, why can’t you believe in yourself?Are you still punishing yourself for all the mistakes you made?”She raised her hands.“Hey, no judgement if you are.I get it.”
“I guess I’m still working through shit.”
“Are you seeing anyone, a therapist?”
I scowled.“Hell, no.I don’t need a shrink.Not that I could afford one.I’m trying to fix my house up, pay off my truck, and catch up on child support.”
She nodded.“That’s commendable.But if you sign with Luc, you wouldn’t have to worry about money anymore.So, why the hesitancy?Are you afraid your past will come back to bite you?Or just that you don’t deserve the break, because you’ve hurt so many people?”
Damn.This girl had my number.“I, uh?—”
The doorbell rang.“Oh, that’s my sister.We’re going for a burger and a movie, so you and Mav can have a chance to talk.”
I was kind of hoping she’d stay.I liked her, and I wouldn’t mind a buffer if her famous husband wasn’t as cool as she was.
I heard female giggling from the foyer, but didn’t want to turn around.For all I knew they could be laughing at me.
“Taz,” Codie said, walking back into the room.“This is my sister, Grace.She’s a therapist, but don’t hold that against her.”
Holy shit.There was some seriously good genes in this family.Grace, like her sister, was petite with long black hair, olive skin, and blue eyes.But when she flashed a bright smile, the similarities ended.Codie was sexy with rough edges, but her sister was all sweet innocence.The kind of girl I wouldn’t be allowed to touch with a ten-foot pole.
