I’m a dumbass about a lot of things, but not that. Tavey may have the kindest heart in the world, but she wouldn’t make the effort day after day to engage with a grumpy asshole like me just out of the kindness of her heart.
Until now, I’ve ignored the attraction between us because common decency tells me she’s too damn young for me. Too sweet. Too generous. Too pure.
But for the first time, I see theflaw in my logic.
Yeah, I think she’s too good for me. And I might be noble enough to stay away from her.
There are plenty of other assholes in the world who won’t. And now that I know Devon is gearing up to make his move, that might be the tipping point for me. I don’t want to be the one to break her heart, but I sure as fuck am not gonna stand around and let someone else break it. Not if there’s a chance I’m the guy she wants. Not if there’s a chance I’m the guy who can make her happy.
She’s still standing there waiting for me to respond about the dragon I made for her. So I nod and try to smile. Pretty sure it looks more like a grimace, but I try.
“There was a bunch of dragon stuff on my social media feed, and I thought you might like it.”
“I love it.”
I nod again and turn back to my work, not sure what else to say. I’ve only just now realized that I’m going to make my move, but I have no idea what that move is going to look like. Which means I don’t know what the fuck to say next.
I hear rather than see that she takes a step away from me and then pauses. “The thing with Devon in the break room…”
I look back at her. She’s fiddling with thestrap on her bag, her gaze shifted away from mine as if she’s trying to pull her thoughts together.
“It really was just the tag on my shirt. It was driving me crazy and I couldn’t get it out on my own.”
Then her eyes dart to mine … Fuck. She looks nervous and vulnerable. Like she’s pleading with me to believe her. Like sheneedsme to know she’s not into Devon.
Noted.
I meet her gaze and nod solemnly so she knows I’ve gotten the message.
This time, she’s the one who turns away first, and I watch her as she crosses the bullpen to the elevators. Once she’s stepped into the elevator, she looks at me again, catching my gaze from all the way across the room. She gives me one little wave as the elevator doors close.
Once she’s out of sight, I turn back to my computer and stare blankly at the screen for a long time before pulling out my personal phone and shooting off a text to my friend Nick. I ask first if he’s around. I served with Nick in the navy, and he could be deployed at the moment.
A few minutes later, he texts me back
Nick
What’s up?
I need advice.
About what?
About a woman
Holy shit.
You finally gonna get off the pot?
Hang on let me pull in reinforcements.
Cassie has joined the chat.
Nick
OK team, all hands on deck. Miller needs advice about a woman. He’s finally gonna make a move on Miss Princess.
Cassie
