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“Really? You do know that no man likes a woman who snorts when she laughs,” I growl, almost hiding my face in my arms.
“I wish I’d been there to see it.” She eyes me critically, her cinnamon eyes narrowed. “I think I can actually see where she hit you.”
I rub my cheek absently, grunting. “She’s got a hell of an arm for such a tiny woman.”
Ruth smiles softly. “I think that’s probably from all the work she does.”
“Yeah. Well, I wish she would have pulled that punch a bit. My damn face still hurts.”
“Be glad that’s all she hit you with. She’s got a lot of tools in there that could have done more damage than she did with just her hand.”
“What am I going to do now?”
You’re gonna have to grovel. Probably a lot. The whole town saw what you did. You essentially ran out rather than go on a date with her. They’re still talking about it. Her ego took a hit. Her pride got dented. And I think you hurt a lot more than just ego and pride. I think you hurt her heart, brother dear. That’s gonna take a long time to come back from.”
I raise my eyes to find her studying me skeptically. “I can’t see you having that much patience. You always expect things to happen immediately. This isn’t going to be an easy fix.”
“I just need to tempt her to come out and give me a shot. If she can let me try and win her over, I think I can. I mean, I knew when I left that she had feelings for me. I could see it in her eyes when I drove her home that night. When I kissed her it was like fireworks going off. But I just wasn’t ready to risk our friendship.”
She groans and crinkles her nose, her freckles dancing. “Dude, I wish you had more friends in this town. I’m your sister. That’s not something I want to know about.”
“What? The kiss?”
“Ugh. Actually all of it.” She gathers up her old silk purse with the flowers all over it. “I’ve got to get back to the shop. My half an hour is almost up.”
“When are you going to get help with that store? I can’t help you out all the time. I’m out on calls myself.”
She snorts and grins, her cinnamon eyes sparkling. “I don’t need help. I’m doing just fine. Someone else in the shop would just fuck with my mojo.”
“Little sis, you need to get a clue. You’d make more money if you were open more hours and you’d be able to be open more hours if you had help.”
Her hand waves in the air. “I’ll consider it.”
“Which means that you’re not going to hire anybody. You’re just trying to pacify me.” I stand and she gives me a peck on the cheek.
“Stay and finish your lunch. I’ll catch you later, big brother.” I watch her walk out the door, sighing.
Her ex-boyfriend did a number on her and she’s not willing to rely on anyone else. Not even me really. I wish she’d find someone to help her. Maybe even someone to go out with. Make her smile again.
I sit down and pick up my sandwich, only to drop it like a hot potato when Harvey’s friend, Amanda and her cousin, Jamie plop into the booth across from me. Both of them wear identical scowls and I groan internally.
“Ladies? Can I help you?”
“Really? That’s all you have to say? What you did to my cousin was awful. I should have my boyfriend kick your ass. If Rafe was even remotely inclined to violence I would.”
“The bartender?” I ask, confused. I must have missed something.
“He’s the bar owner, actually. And he’s a good man. Unlike some people,’ she growls.
I roll my eyes and luckily I’m saved from replying when the waitress, Devin, stops and offers the girls a menu. “Can I get you guys anything to start with?”
“Maybe something that doesn’t require a knife, please,” I reply, moving the silverware out of reach.
Amanda grins. “Dude, if she wants to shank you, you’ll never see it coming. She won’t do it out in the open like this.”
Jamie grins, her pale blue eyes sparkling. “I don’t need to shank you. I’d be more worried about what Harvey’s gonna do to you than what I’m gonna do. She’s way more dangerous.”
“I’d have to agree with that.” I rub my jaw, still feeling that ache in my cheek.
