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Guilt from using the attraction Mick had felt toward her for personal benefit hung heavy on her shoulders. No matter how she sought to justify her behavior, she’d led him on. It’d been purposeful at first. He’d been so nice at the store. It shouldn’t have ever been more than that, but then when the delivery guy had called and told her it was the porch or wait three more weeks she’d stopped being the pretty-girl-using-her-looks-to-survive and had actually needed saving. The desk she could’ve eventually figured out.
But moving appliances and couches and a massive cherry-wood bed—that was beyond her capabilities. He had rescued her. And she’d looked at him with goo-goo eyes again, burying the warning reminder that she’d agreed to take him on as a client.
Telling him “no” had taken every shred of willpower, but she couldn’t get involved with him. With anyone.
She needed more time.
At least that’s what she told herself as she climbed the stairs back to her bedroom.
Chapter 7
The Wild Crumb was buzzing with life. A line for their famed coffee stretched out the door not long after he’d arrived and snagged a table for the meeting with Laurel. The hum of conversations around him blended together like white noise, but when she walked through the front door it was like the silence of church descended.
She was all that existed.
Her long dark hair was braided down one side of her head, the tail trailing down past her collarbone, grazing the top of her breast. He blinked, wishing his hand could take the place of her hair would not get him any closer to his prize. She wore a long navy blue dress, that just skimmed the tops of her feet with each step. The material was gauzy and flowed around her long legs, accentuating their every muscle. Mick’s mouth watered at the image of those perfect legs naked and wrapped around him.
“Mick?” Her voice cut through his daydream and he blinked. She was standing directly in front of him. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, fine.” He laughed and gestured to the seat across from his. “Please, sit,” he answered, standing to help her push in her chair.
“Such a gentleman. Your date is going to be a lucky woman.” She hooked her bag over the corner of the chair back and smiled brightly.
God, she was gorgeous and…happy again. His miscalculation last night apparently hadn’t dampened her mood.
She pulled out a stack of papers from her tote bag andthunkedthem onto the table in front of her.
The candidates. Of course.He could play this game. Eventually she would agree that the only choice for him was the woman sitting in front of him the entire time. For now he’d bide his time and find out what exactly was hindering Laurel from taking a chance. It was almost Valentine’s Day. Love was practically in the air, right along with his overly romanticized fantasies of taking Laurel Hart on an official date.
“I’ve put together three profiles. The women were very friendly and are actively looking for a significant other. Two of them contacted me only a few days ago.”
“How did they know what you did?”
“I’m quite sure my realtor put out the word.”
“Edie Grantham?” Mick asked, leaning forward to take a closer glance at the folders.
“Yes, how did you know?” Laurel opened the first folder and picture of one of his buddies ex-girlfriends stared up at him.
“Edie does her best to know everything about everyone, especially new people in town.” He shook his head and pointed at the blonde in the photo. “That’s my buddy’s ex, Penelope. No go. They just broke up a few weeks ago.”
“Oh.” The tiniest hint of elation fluttered across her face, but she masked it quickly. Laurel put the file back into her tote and opened the next one. This time a familiar brunette face smiled up from a stack of papers. “This young woman was very sweet on the phone. Loves animals. Works up at—”
“The animal shelter. I know, Jordan VonBrandt too. I dated her sister, Judith, before she got married.”
“You’re not going to make this easy are you?” Laurel smiled, sliding Jordan’s file back into her tote with Penelope’s.
“I told you there wasn’t anyone in town for me. It’s tough here. Either all the women went to school and grew up with me, or they’re involved with one of my friends…or were. I don’t cross that line.”
A heavy sigh slipped from Laurel’s lips. Mick couldn’t tell this time if she was relieved or frustrated. “I have one more. Maybe the third time’s a charm.” She flipped open the last folder on the table. “This is Felicity, do you know her?”
Mick scrunched his forehead and frowned down at the perky blonde in the photo. Bleached hair, blue eyes, and makeup that probably hid every single truth. Still, he didn’t know any Felicity. Couldn’t remember her from school. Couldn’t remember her from anywhere in town. “No.”
“She’s from Dallas, so I was hoping you wouldn’t.” Laurel’s voice carried a tone of victory, but there was still an underlying hint of dejection. Was the chemistry between them obvious to her too, or did she really want to match him up with a stranger? He couldn’t tell for sure. “Felicity is an old almost-client of mine. She works from home as a copy editor, I thought she might be a good fit. After all, you’re both writers.”
As much as he hated to admit it, her logic was sound. Maybe it would be nice to pair off with someone who would truly understand his passion for writing. Long nights in front of their respective computer screens. Deadlines giving them both the motivation to keep working. No one to ever interrupt them.Geeeeze, that sounds boring, now that I think about it.
“I’m not sure—”
