by Marie Harte
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Buddy, you got a mom who loves you. She wants grandkids because she wants little mini-me’s of you. Make her happy and get married. Settle down.”
Evan studied him, a bemused look on his face. “Did you give this same speech to Reid?”
Not that Cash needed to. His little brother had already fallen hard for Naomi. Cash saw it in the way Reid looked when talking about her. And to see Reid get all dopey around the chick… “Didn’t need the speech. He’s already a goner.”
Evan nodded. “He and Naomi are good. I like her.”
“I do too.” And I don’t because she’s stealing Reid.
“Too bad you haven’t given that speech to Reid. I’d love to see his face when you tell him about making little mini-me’s.” Evan grinned. “Better yet, tell that to Naomi.”
“Hell, no. I don’t tell that woman what to do. I don’t have a death wish.” His brother’s redhead had a temper.
“Well, what about you? You’re the oldest of us. You’re, what, thirty-eight?”
“Thirty-six, dickweed.”
“I’m only thirty-one. Still a baby, really.”
Cash scoffed.
“I have plenty of time to fall in love, have kids, get divorced, start all over, get married and divorced again, then become a raging alcoholic because my life is a mess. You’re not getting any younger.”
Cash shook his head. “You really went there, huh?”
Evan laughed. “Hey, I watch all the same shows you do, Drama Queen. I’ve also been to several weddings in the past ten years, and only about a third of those couples are still married.”
“Yeah, but your mom and dad loved each other.”
Evan smiled. “That’s true. Dad passing about broke Mom’s heart.” He sighed. “And now I’m feeling guilty for ignoring her. But she nags me about dating every friggin’ time we’re together.”
They sat in silence for a moment then resumed eating.
The next time Cash spoke, he asked the question he’d always wondered about his cousin. “Hey, I’ve gotta know. Is it weird that your parents were always so much older? I mean, people used to ask if you were with your grandma, not your mom.”
Evan made a face. “Yes and no. When I was little, I didn’t care. But as a teenager, it was a little embarrassing. And then I’d feel bad for being embarrassed. Now Mom is realizing she’s getting up there in age. That’s the reason she’s all over me to settle down. So she can handle a grandkid before…before she can’t.”
Aunt Jane had just celebrated her seventy-first. “I get you. But at least your mom loves you. Mine was too spaced out to do more than blink for most of my life.”
“That’s true. Your growing up wasn’t so good.” Evan didn’t need to say more than that.
Cash shrugged, so tired of having nothing good to look back on except for Reid. “Maybe that’s why I don’t see myself ever getting married. Chicks are a lot of work.” Jordan wasn’t. “Women expect too much.”
“No, they don’t.”
Cash sat up to study Evan, who watched him with compassion. Not pity but empathy. Cash didn’t like it, but he could handle it.
“A good woman can make you feel like Superman,” Evan said. “It’s the ones who want nothing but money or your dick who aren’t worth the effort. Mariah wasn’t worth it, Cash. You know that.”
“I don’t like to talk about her.”
“Suck it up. I don’t like to think about Rita. But she existed. Ignoring her doesn’t make her go away.”
“Doesn’t get you married any faster either,” Cash muttered then wished he could unsay the words.
Evan had paled, and the last thing Cash had wanted was to come down on his cousin, who’d been nothing but nice.
“Shit. I didn’t mean it.”
Evan sat back and propped his feet on the coffee table. “Doesn’t mean it’s not true. Yep. I avoid getting serious with a woman because I don’t want to risk getting hurt again. You avoid women because Mariah was a bitch and you think you’ll never be good enough. Your father was a tool.”
The blunt truth, coming from laidback Evan, shocked Cash into a laugh. “Harsh but true.” He drank to soothe his parched throat. “I appreciate it, but I’d rather not talk about my asshole dad and cheating ex, thanks.”
Evan groaned. “See? This is the real reason I don’t date. I used to be good with people. Especially women. Now I say all the wrong things. Friday night isn’t for lamentation, it’s for enjoying our time off.”
“Lamentation? Been reading again, eh?”
Evan snorted. “You should try it. Broadening your vocabulary impresses people.” He paused then added with a sly smile, “Especially pretty Army vets who have too many men circling them as it is.”
* * *
Evan knew he shouldn’t have badgered his cousin, but he and Reid had talked, and Evan shared Reid’s concerns about Cash. Though Evan hadn’t been around the Vets on the Go! crew much due to work, he’d seen the way Cash responded to Jordan.
From what Evan knew of the woman, she seemed smart, did her job well, and could handle Cash. Something many people couldn’t.
Evan’s oldest cousin had always been someone he’d respected. Cash was big, strong, and bold. When thrown out of the house by his parents—really his father, since Aunt Angela had been clueless about everything—Cash hadn’t broken down. He’d thrived, working on his own, doing well despite all the challenges he’d faced.
Secretly, Evan had been envious of his cousins, wishing he’d had a close brother instead of being an only child.
Despite Cash being older and away from his home, he’d waited for Reid to graduate so they could join the Marine Corps together. There he’d earned accolades and awards for bravery in the face of danger several times over. Cash led people because he was real. He did his best to help others, not to make himself look good but because he cared.
Buried deep down beneath all the bluster and machismo, Cash liked protecting those he cared about. He’d been built to defend the little guy. Probably conditioned into it by having to protect himself and anyone Charles Griffith deemed unworthy.
Mariah cheating on him then stealing from him had been a blow. Especially coming on the heels of a mother who hadn’t loved her sons equally or well.
Yet nothing stopped Cash—except the man himself. He had a big mouth, and Evan doubted he knew the meaning of the word compromise. But he loved well and deep. If someday he did find a woman worthy of him, Evan knew that woman would never want for anything.
Maybe Jordan could be for Cash what Rita had once been for Evan. If the big doofus would stop irritating her enough to find out.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about with Jordan.” Cash flushed but did his best to appear stern.
“Yeah, right. I don’t work there. I’m barely around you two. But the few times I’ve seen you guys together, the sparks fly.”
“We don’t get along.”
“Well, she is kind of mouthy.”
“But smart,” Cash said, immediately backing her up. “Funny in an obnoxious kind of way.”
“Personally, I find her charming. Pretty too.” Evan watched his cousin, noting the telltale clenching of his jaw. “You know, you make a good point.”
Cash blinked. “I do?”
“Yeah. You two don’t get along too well. But she seemed to like me, and you’re right, I should start dating seriously again. Do you think she’d mind if I—”
“She’s busy with her brother. Doesn’t want to date for a long time.”
Evan stared at him.
Cash glared. “What?”
“So lame.”
Cash glared a moment more then covered his face with his hands. “I know.”
“Are you even a little embarrassed you’re so obviously into
this woman?”
“Yes. Fuck, Evan. I work with her. I’m technically her boss.”
“That’s true. You really need to ease away from the situation.” But he knew Cash wouldn’t.
“So do you.”
“Oh, so that’s how you want to play it? We’re both her bosses, so we can’t date her?”
“Exactly.”
Evan studied his cousin, noticing his wan features. “Are you losing weight?”
“No. Maybe. Been working hard.”
And stressed from Aunt Angela dying. Or was his cousin lovesick? “Okay. So maybe we shouldn’t date her. But Hector or Finley certainly could.”
“No fraternization at work. That’s our policy.”
Evan wondered if Cash heard himself sounding so possessive. Poor, poor Jordan. He grinned.
Cash scowled. “I mean it.”
Evan held up his hands in surrender. “Hey, I’m fine with that policy. But that’s not going to stop men who don’t work for Vets on the Go! asking her out. She’s pretty, smart, and funny. Lethal combo there.”
“I know.” Cash swore. Then swore again and said something under his breath.
“What?”
Cash looked miserable. “We accidentally made out last night.”
“Accidentally?” Evan raised a brow. “What, did you trip into her lips?”
Cash growled. “Tell Reid and I’ll bend you into a pretzel.”
Evan decided to shut up. Fast.
“I’m trying to pull back. But I really like her. And the kiss…” Cash swallowed. “It was…good. Really, really good.”
Evan had hope for the knucklehead. “I would remind you that you are a minority partner. In fact, you’ve been pretty clear that you just work with the guys, drawing a paycheck the same as them.”
“I’m still her boss.” Weaker.
“Not really, but kind of. You know, we could say only Reid and I can hire and fire. We’re majority shareholders. We just talked about this last week.”
“Oh. We did, huh?” The pathetic hope on Cash’s face was embarrassing.
“You really need to stop sleeping through our meetings. But that kiss—technically you didn’t do anything wrong. You know damn well you guys don’t have a no fraternization policy at work. I do agree that her boss should steer clear. But like I said, you’re not her boss.” He paused. “And after that accidental meeting of the mouths, was Jordan upset?”
“No. I don’t think so.” Cash stared at his hands. “She didn’t say much, but if she’d been mad, she’d totally have let me know. Jordan doesn’t hold back.”
“Well then. There you have it. You two kissed, you got that spark out of your systems, and you’re done. No harm, no foul. You can still be friends and coworkers.” Evan didn’t believe a word he was saying.
“Sure, sure.” Cash ate more pizza, like a man starving, a glint of purpose in his eye.
Cash would go after Jordan like a heat-seeking missile on target. Had Evan had any worries about Jordan coming to harm, he’d have subtly crushed Cash’s hope. But he had a feeling about the pair.
And it would be nice to see Cash happy for a change. At least until he annoyed Jordan by being stupid and insensitive about something. But, hell, from what Cash had said, Jordan could hold her own. Maybe the pair had a chance at something more.
Just because Evan despaired of ever easing his loneliness didn’t mean all the Griffiths were doomed to failure. Look at Reid and Naomi. So good together, so in love…
He cleared his throat, erasing memories of Rita. “Now how about we stop talking about girls for two seconds and watch Drama Island? I hear Valerie is trying to overthrow Celia as Island Queen.”
Cash sat straighter and leaned toward the TV. “Seriously? As if that’s gonna happen.”
Evan shook his head. His cousin was a goner. He just hoped Cash would remember that most of the things Charles Griffith had said in the past were lies and should stay buried. Like the man himself.
Chapter 6
He had no reason to be nervous. None at all.
Yet Sunday afternoon, Cash had to work to keep from appearing agitated as he waited for Jordan to arrive. He sat in one of his favorite diners near the house, Rusty’s Rest, a hip kind of greasy spoon that had affordable and mouthwatering food.
The diner had a fifties feel, with shiny red vinyl booths, white-and-black-checkerboard flooring, and a jukebox filled with Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Chubby Checker. Stuff his Aunt Jane still listened to when he made the odd visit over.
And speaking of which, he needed to drag Reid with him as payment for Evan’s pizza. Aunt Jane needed the company, and they liked her. Reid could keep it in his pants for one night and spend a few hours apart from Naomi, couldn’t he?
Surly and hating that he felt at all jealous, he didn’t notice Jordan until she stood over him with a smirk.
“Well, well. That’s a pretty big frown. I guess you didn’t go to church and rid your soul of evil this morning.” She grinned down at him, looking way too cute in shorts and a Lynyrd Skynyrd shirt.
“Yo, fellow sinner. Have a seat.” He glanced at the clock on the wall and couldn’t resist. “You’re late.”
“I knew you’d say something.” She sighed and plunked down across from him. “You’re lucky I’m here at all.”
“Oh?” Had something bad happened?
She frowned at him. “Yeah, oh. I went to Miriam’s class yesterday morning. Asshole. Thanks for the warning.” That he hadn’t given.
At thoughts of Jordan attending Miriam’s empowerment class, he started laughing. And he grew hard, but he focused on the humor of the situation.
“You know what? Get whatever the hell you want. It’s on me.”
“I’d already figured that.”
“But you have to tell me what happened yesterday.”
She just looked at him.
“Coffee on me all this week too.”
She grunted. “Fine. So, yesterday… For starters, all of my classmates wore robes…with nothing underneath,” she added in a hiss.
Which sent him into more gales of laughter. His favorite waitress, a sweet, middle-aged woman by the name of Irene, wandered over with a pot of coffee, knowing him all too well. Cash didn’t ask, just turned over Jordan’s cup. “Just black for both of us, Irene.”
Jordan continued to glare at him as she sipped. They took a quick moment to scan the menu then ordered.
“Breakfast for ya both. Got it.” The older woman sailed away to refill more coffee cups as the place continued to crowd.
“This is the best breakfast joint in all Seattle,” he told her. “Rusty’s Rest even beats Biscuit Bitch and Krispy Kreme. Straight up.” He visited at least once a week and tried to sit in Irene’s section. She always gave him extra everything at no charge.
Jordan drank more coffee then sat back and crossed her arms over her chest. It never failed to surprise Cash to see those arms full of muscle. Jordan had a streamlined build, ropy arms and thighs, but not like a bodybuilder. More like a sleek roller derby girl. Two sides of sexy mixed with whoopass. Her breasts weren’t too big or small but just right. He wondered what she’d be like in bed, especially after that kiss…
“Hello? Eyes up here.” She pointed to her face, her cheeks flushed.
He slowly raised his gaze to her face and tried to appear innocent. “Sorry. I was trying to read your shirt.”
“Right.” She blew out a breath and groaned. “How could you not have told me what those classes were about?” She slapped her hands on the table and leaned close. After glancing around to see they were alone, she whispered angrily, “Those chicks got naked and started touching themselves!”
“Oh God.” He tried not to laugh again. But her angry embarrassment made him want to lean close and kiss her.
“Yeah, t
hey were saying a lot of that too.” She huffed, but he saw her lips quirk, as if trying to hold back the laughter. “I knew something was up from the way the guys were teasing me Friday night. The same way you did. But I thought it would be some kind of weird woman woo-woo thing. Not a group masturbation session!”
The waitress stood at the table, blinking down at them.
Jordan turned tomato-red. Cash bust out laughing.
“Ah, I just wanted to confirm.” Irene cleared her throat and asked Jordan, “Eggs Benedict for you, right? I meant to ask if you wanted the crab Benedict or the classic?”
Jordan blew out a breath. “Classic, please.”
“Anything else I can get you? That’s on the menu, I mean?” Irene shot a stern look at Jordan. “We run a family establishment, hon. So I can’t get you anything more than that. No group…specials.”
Jordan looked as if she wanted to sink through the floor.
Irene winked. “Kidding. Sounds like you had a great weekend. I’ll be back with your food soon.” She laughed. “Ah, to be young again.” She waved at Cash, and he promised himself to tip her heavily.
“I cannot believe you threw me to the wolves like that,” Jordan muttered.
Cash finally stopped laughing and drained his water glass, his mood better than it had been in a long time. “Come on, details.”
“For details, I’d better be getting a to-go box of donuts on the way out,” she grumbled. “I earned it.”
“I bet you did.” He felt like his smile had taken over his face, it was so wide.
“You’re such an ass.” Yet her reluctant grin said otherwise.
“And you wouldn’t have set me up on something similar?”
“You know I would have—and will if I get the chance.” She paused. “Hold on. Didn’t Miriam try to get you to help her class out?” Her eyes widened. “Doing what?”
“Let me ask you this. How exactly did everyone get, ah, in the mood?”
“You don’t want to know.”
“I do. I so do.”
She let out a loud, dramatic sigh. “It started out okay.” Jordan paused when Irene brought their plates and refilled their coffee. After the waitress left, she continued. “Miriam had a dozen of us in the back room. Her place is a lot bigger than it looks from the outside. Once you get past all the vintage clothes and doodads on sale, she’s got space. So I joined a bunch of normal-looking women in the back.”