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Irrational anger rose in her at his attitude. The fool must not believe her. “Apparently, he didn’t tell me assholes run in the family. Consider this a wrong number.” She disconnected the call and slapped a hand over her mouth. Way too unprofessional. Crap!
She had dealt with belligerence from people before and had learned to let it roll off her back. Why the heck did she get mad? Because she’d been so hopeful, feelings that had nothing to do with her job? After
she kicked herself a few times, she wondered why he would get so mad. Then she put it down to anger problems, the same as Kenny and dismissed the entire incident.
The rest of the day dragged along as she called numerous volunteers and various small business owners to ask for their assistance. By five, she’d had it and packed up to go home. Tomorrow was soon enough to figure out what her next step should be.
Chapter Five
Jaz carried a fourth box down the hall to the room where she’d begun sorting through gifts. She stumbled when, of all people, Torrian turned the corner from the opposite end. He spotted her right away and increased his step. She had no choice but to continue toward him. He’d dressed in slightly faded blue jeans. The same leather jacket from the night of the party hung open to reveal a pullover, rust-colored sweater with two buttons open at the throat.
When he reached her, Jaz sidestepped him. “What do you want?”
“I came to apologize.”
“That wasn’t necessary.”
“I think it was.”
She kept walking. “Look, dude, no one is chasing you, okay? Whatever chip you have on your shoulder or for whatever reason you think all women are beating down your door, I suggest you get over yourself.”
He reached out for her arm. “Wait, please, Jaz. Just hear me out.”
Of course Rhashon appeared out of nowhere. She wondered if her brother had a sixth sense when it came to her. Then again, his classes were just around the corner from where they stood. “You have two seconds to get your hands off my sister before I rip your arms off and feed them to you.”
Jaz rolled her eyes. “Back off, Rhashon. I’m sure Torrian doesn’t mean me any harm.”
Her brother looked doubtful, and she looked at Torrian. He nodded.
“I’m here to help,” he said.
Rhashon gave him a look that said he was watching and strode by. Jaz sighed and continued to the room where she was working for the day with Torrian following. “So you’re calling me Torrian now?”
She ignored the question. “What do you want?”
“I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions.”
She eyed him up and down. He was still the sexiest man she’d ever seen, but now she refused to look at him that way. Her last boyfriend had a big head and thought she should be grateful he gave her the time of day. Someone else could stroke Torrian’s ego and leave her out of it.
“I was calling you because of a special project we’re working on,” she explained and detailed the plan. “Don’t worry about it. I have someone else.”
“Do you really?”
“Does it matter?”
He touched her hand, and she jerked away, almost dropping the box on her foot. Torrian caught it and set it on the table. All around them were other boxes to be sorted through, including the four new ones she had received that morning. Some held clothes, she knew, and from the clanking around in one, other items they may or may not be able to use. Unfortunately, some people used them as a means to dump junk, which annoyed the heck out of her. The center didn’t have the staff to have someone standing by with each delivery and decide to accept or reject. She was it, and her mornings were spent at the outreach center.
“Jazara.”
Against her will, a tingle ran down her spine at him pronouncing her full name, and all the annoyance drained away. Besides, she didn’t like to stay down. Her usual demeanor was happiness, and she would not let this man or any other steal it away.
“Fine, no we don’t have anyone. Would you be interested?” She smiled, and he stared at her mouth a moment.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call.”
“Tor—”
“I like how you say my full name.” He moved closer. She scooted away and used the box cutter to open the box he’d set on the table. Just as she thought, the box contained an old blender and of all items a toaster oven. Who used those anymore? Torrian wouldn’t let her ignore him. He touched a lock of her hair and rolled the strands between his fingers. “I was stupid enough to get a cold after that night.”
