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“Damn it,” he muttered as he realized the figures he’d written were wrong. He’d been sitting there for an hour trying to get the damn thing right, but he was distracted. Shayla’s voice kept playing over and over in his head like a broken record.
He wadded the paper up and tossed it in the vicinity of the trash can. He needed to finish the freaking thing already. More coffee; that was what he needed. Maybe it’d help him get his head out of his ass so he could focus for five damn minutes. When he stood and started for the coffeepot, a loud knock on his front door stopped him. Not Shayla—she’d said she had a phone conference with an online vendor and email to catch up on. Apparently, she’d been away from work too long and shit was piling up. Suited him fine. The day away from each other was supposed to do him good. Give him time to think straight. But the only thing he’d done so far was think about Shayla’s little bombshell.
Well, that and the way she’d come undone in his arms. His cock thickened in his jeans at the reminder.
Another knock on his door, louder this time, tore Vance out of his lusty musings. When he reached it and yanked it open, Sammy stood on his porch, frowning.
“It’s cold as hell out here,” he groused. “Mind letting me in?”
Vance stepped back. “Sorry, I was going over a bid.”
Sammy stepped inside and slammed the door shut. He looked around the room before asking, “Shayla here?”
“No, she had some things to do today. We’re meeting later tonight.” And already he missed her. Christ, this wasn’t good.
Sammy unfastened his coat and tossed it over the recliner, then rubbed his hands together to warm them. “How’s it going between you two anyway? You seemed awfully chummy at the diner.”
“She told me she loves me,” Vance blurted out as he headed to the kitchen.
“Already?” Sammy took a chair out at the table and straddled it.
“My thoughts exactly.” Vance grabbed the coffeepot and held it up. Sammy nodded. As he went about pouring them each a cup, he said, “I didn’t return the sentiment.”
“I don’t imagine you did. It’s too soon.” He took the cup from his outstretched hand and blew on the hot liquid. “What did you say?”
“That I needed to think about it.” He shrugged and leaned against the counter. “I don’t think I handled it well, but she blindsided me.” He shook his head. “What was I supposed to say?”
“Women have a tendency to do that,” Sammy replied with a grin. “Julie sure as hell managed to throw me for a loop.”
“A good loop, though. With Shayla, I just don’t know. Sometimes it’s like we’re just getting to know each other, but other times it feels like I’ve known her my whole life. Like the years we were separated didn’t even exist.”
“About that. What was her reason for dumping you, if you don’t mind me asking?”
Vance related the story about Shayla’s tyrant father. “Damn,” Sammy said. He took a careful sip of his coffee. “I can’t believe that bastard had the nerve to threaten you. To threaten the Jennings.”
“Well, according to Shayla, she broke it off because she was trying to protect me.” He shifted from foot to foot, suddenly uncomfortable with the discussion. Uncomfortable with the knowledge that Shayla had tried to shield him when he hadn’t even known what she was going through. Oh yeah, he was a real friggin’ catch.
Sammy rubbed his chin. “I remember her dad. I ran into him a few times at the diner. Both times, he tried to get out of paying his bill.”
Vance snorted. “And how’d that work out for him?”
Sammy chuckled and took another sip of his coffee. “Oh, you know Dad. All he had to do was glare and grown men scattered. Riggs was no different.”
Vance sighed. “I still can’t believe Shayla went through all that shit. I should’ve known, God damn it. I should’ve protected her.”
Sammy took one last drink and stood. “She’s a strong woman, Vance. I could see it in her eyes at the diner yesterday.”
“You were giving her the evil eye,” Vance grumbled as he stared at his oldest brother. “What was that, a test?”
He brought his cup to the sink and ran water in it. “I needed to know if she was good enough to date my little brother.” He turned and said, “I haven’t forgotten what it did to you when she left. You were a fucking mess for a long time, bro.”
He couldn’t deny it, so instead, Vance asked, “And did she pass?”
“I like her,” he said with a grin. “So, don’t screw it up by being an idiot.”
Vance shook his head. “Gee, thanks for the words of wisdom, Sammy.”
He chuckled. “Any time, buddy.” He checked the clock. “I need to head to the diner. Will you be there later?”
