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“No. All good vibes tonight.” I set my fork down. “Bricks—one of my brothers—popped in with Ravage to cover me. I haven’t seen him in a bit, so I got to catch up with him.”
She tilts her head, studying me. “You were in a club with naked women and instead of watching, you stopped to have a conversation with a friend you presumably see at ‘church’ every week?” Disbelief coats the question.
“Brother, not friend,” I correct. “And yeah. He had some stuff on his mind.”
“Is he okay?” she asks.
My chest squeezes. She’s met Bricks maybe once for five minutes, but concern still resonates in her question. “He’s fine. His girlfriend wants to have another kid and he doesn’t. I guess she thinks his older kids can help out and he’s not cool with that.” I reach over and rest my hand on her leg. “Made me think of what you told me aboutyourparents.”
She glances at the kitchen door as if she’s afraid Libby’s on the other side, listening in.
“I’d never say that in front of your sister, Emily.” How dense does she think I am?
“That’s not what I was worried about.” She glances down at her lap and rubs her hand over mine. “I was thinking how last week you came over banged up from kicking a customer’s ass and tonight you’re all kindness and sensitivity.”
I tickle my fingers over her thigh. “I’m a mixed bag.” Fuck, I don’t want her to have the wrong idea about me. “I don’t go deliberately looking for trouble.”Not always.
“But if it finds you, you don’t run away.”
She gets me. “That’s a good way to put it,” I agree.
After confirming I’m done, she stands and clears the table, rinsing off the plate, but leaving it in the sink.
I come up behind her and wrap my arms around her waist, resting my chin on her shoulder. “What’s wrong? You seem troubled.”
“I’m sorry if it seemed like I was trying to sneak attack you at work.”
“Huh?” I slip my hands to her hips and turn her to face me. “I told you to come see me anytime.” I stroke my knuckles over her cheek. “I get that it makes you uncomfortable. And I want you to understand I have nothing to hide. You have an open invitation tosneak attackme whenever you want.”
“I really like you,” she whispers.
Fear thumps through my chest. She doesn’t sound happy about it. “I like you too.” I cup her chin, tipping her head. “It was brave of you to stop in. By yourself.”
“Definitely the last place I thought I’d ever find myself.” A tight smile curves her lips. “Agitation said I looked like I was from the corporate office.”
One corner of my mouth quirks. I tease my fingers under the hem of her shirt until my knuckles brush against her stomach. “I liked that blouse on you. Couldn’t stop thinking about taking you home and undoing those buttons, one by one.”
She lets out a nervous laugh. “In a club—”
I press my finger against her lips. “Donotsay any variation of ‘with all the naked dancers, you thought the blouse was hot.’ Don’t question me when I tell you something. Understand?”
Her eyes widen. “Is this?” she mumbles, and I remove my finger from her lips, allowing her to finish. She slicks her tongue over her lips. “Phew, for a minute, I thought that was a blink once for yes, two for no situation.”
“It will be if you keep arguing with me every time I tell you something.”
She pulls her shoulders back and lifts her chin. “I wasn’t arguing. More like,clarifying.”
I grip her waist and lift her onto the counter, pressing my body between her knees.
“You want clarity?” How do I express this without sounding like I want to tattooproperty of Dexon her forehead? “How’s this? If I actually prayed to any higher power, I couldn’t ask for anyone more perfect than you.”
I absently tug on the ends of her hair.
She tilts her head and presses her lips against the palm of my hand. “I’m not a natural redhead.”
“Huh?” I stop and stare. “I’m not talking about yourhair, Emily.” I rough my hand over the top of her head. She squeals and bats my hand away.
“I’m just saying, this,” she flips her hair over her shoulder, “is salon bought. Celia is a genius with color.”
