“Yeah well, now we’ll never know for sure,” I replied, taking a sip of my drink.
“Was it the word or what it means?” she asked gently.
I thought about that for a moment, my finger skating over the rim of my glass. “What hurt most was him not acknowledging that we were dating,” I explained. “The fact that my being quirky was the first thing that came to his mind certainly didn’t help. Hell, I don’t mind having some quirks,” I was quick to add. “But the way he said it—it was like a dismissal. Like it was the reason for him to avoid the topic all together.”
May reached over and took my hand, squeezing once. “You know what I think, honey? You are unique. You’re special. You put your own stamp on things and you can be adorably, lovably quirky. If he doesn’t see that, then it’s his loss. But Emmie, I think he sees that,” she assured me gently.
I offered a sad smile before taking a sip of my drink. “You know you’re my best friend,” I told her sincerely.
“I know.” She smiled. “Now, how about a little half-naked Brad Pitt to cheer you up?”
We both knew it was really for her, but I went along with it anyway. “Sounds good, May.”
When I went back to the cottage later that night, I saw Travis standing on my porch before he saw me. I debated running in the other direction, but figured I’d have to face him sooner or later. He’d texted me more times than I could count, and I hadn’t responded to a single one.
“What do you want, Travis?” I asked with a sigh when he turned to watch me approach. I unlocked the door, walked in, and turned to face him, making it clear he wasn’t welcome to come inside.
“Why haven’t you responded to any of my texts? I came by the other night, too. I was worried,” he began.
I shrugged, eyeing him coolly. “I guess I’m quirky like that.”
He let out a breath. “Well, that answers what you heard,” he muttered, running a hand over his closely shorn hair. “I’m sorry, Em. I fucked that up.”
“Yep,” I agreed succinctly. “Listen, we can be cordial when you come to pick up Hudson. He loves to see you, and I want him to have that. But I’m not interested in carrying on any more of this conversation. I heard more than enough already.” I moved to close the door.
His hand came up to stop the door’s momentum. “Wait, Em.”
“What?” I clipped with frustration.
“The other night? You left too soon. You didn’t hear the part where I said how much I liked that you’re quirky. That you make me laugh. That you’re so different than me but the same in all the ways that count.”
“Yeah well, you still sat across from me all night and basically pretended like you didn’t even know me,” I retorted.
“I know. I was caught off guard,” he admitted. “I don’t share much about my personal life with anyone. I wasn’t sure how to handle it, but I obviously didn’t handle it well. I also wasn’t sure what you’d want to share.”
I hadn’t considered that part.
That didn’t mean I wanted to open myself up to further hurt. “I appreciate you coming over to apologize,” I said quietly. “But I’m not interested in pursuing things.”
“Well I am,” he replied without delay. “I like you, Em. I like you a lot. That doesn’t happen to me, and I realize now more than ever how much I want to hold on to that. To hold on to you. I’ll give you a bit more time—I was an ass. I know that. But I’m not giving up.”
I stared at him blankly, unsure what to say to that.
His expression softened. “I never intended to hurt you. I’ll spend as much time as I need proving that. But babe, I got to tell you, those soft lips hit mine, and that was it. I was done for.”
“You’re delusional,” I scoffed, despite some of what he said worming its way into my heart.
“I’m not as adorably quirky, kindhearted and gorgeous as you are. But I see things pretty clearly,” he assured me.
“There’s that word again,” I muttered.
“It’s a good thing,” he replied. “I wouldn’t want you any other way.”
“Goodnight, Travis.” I moved to close the door again.
“Night, Em.” He shot me a smile that was far too confident. “See you soon.”
Right.
****
“Should I just rename my brother ‘the ass’?” Sam demanded the next day as she approached me after yoga class. I felt badly that I’d been avoiding her texts, but I just didn’t know what to say. “I’m sorry if you were hurt by what you overheard,” she added, eyeing me worriedly. “Would you be willing to grab a drink with me so we can talk?”
I eyed her cautiously. “Sam, I’d love to. But I really don’t want to put you in the middle of this.”
She snorted. “Don’t you know I love sticking my nose where it doesn’t belong? And plus, I really think I might be able to help. Please?”
“Okay, but can we go to my house? I need to let the dog out.” I’d been gone for much of the day.
“Sure,” she agreed readily. “I’ll follow you.”
For once I was grateful for the ever-present Los Angeles traffic, needing the extra time to collect my thoughts. The blaring of horns and low bass rumbling from the car next to me offered a surprisingly soothing soundtrack for my muddled mind.
On the one hand, I welcomed the opportunity to hear Sam out, hoping that maybe, just maybe the result would be something akin to hope when it came to Travis. While on the other, that same hope meant I might just have to let Travis in, something I was terrified of for fear of future hurt.
I sighed as we neared my neighborhood. Regardless of my reservations, it was now or never.
“He’s so cute!” Sam exclaimed when we’d arrived back at my cottage. Able was all over her, frantically trying to get as much love as possible.
“He knows it, too,” I replied dryly. “Do you want something to drink? I have some white open.”
“Sure,” she agreed, still kneeling on the ground greeting Able. “I didn’t used to be a dog person,” she explained.
I watched her getting licks from Able. “Obviously, you are now.” I laughed.
“Trixie sort of changed my mind.” She shrugged, standing to accept the glass I offered her.
“They do that.” I nodded knowingly. “I wasn’t looking for a dog or a cat.” I pointed toward Buster sleeping on the sofa, far too lazy to be bothered to greet guests. “They found me.”
“I’d imagine you’re a magnet for animals and kids.” She smiled warmly. “And men named Travis.”
“Nice segue.” I held up my glass in mock salute.
She laughed. “I try. But seriously, Em, I feel so bad about the other night, especially after Travis told me what you actually heard. He called to talk to me about it. That has never happened,” she marveled. “Anyway, I don’t want to push you. Whatever happens between you two, I really want us to be friends.”
“Me too,” I assured her as we made ourselves comfortable on the couch.
“I just have to say—my brother can be a surly, closed-off guy a lot of the time, and I have never seen him like he’s been since he met you. I saw something different right away. I think he just didn’t know how to share something like that with us—not right away. He never talks about his personal life. And as for the quirky comment, Em, he loves that about you. Seriously. So do I. Though I think it takes one to know one.” She winked.
I laughed, feeling lighter already. “I get it. I just—that word doesn’t have a good connotation for me,” I shared glumly. “Let’s just say my being unique didn’t bode well growing up. I grew up feeling like I should be embarrassed to be myself. And overhearing your conversation, I felt that same way.”
She reached for my hand “I’m sorry. But honey, it’s not like you’re totally wacky or something. Why was this such a big thing growing up?”
“I know,” I agreed. “My parents weren’t the best. Anyway, I appreciate you talking to me,” I continued, not wanting to talk abou
t it further. “I’ll think about what you said. I’m just still not sure Travis and I….” I trailed off, not wanting to say it out loud.
She offered a knowing smile. “That’s fine. He’s sure enough for the both of you.”
She looked so sure, I almost believed her. That was the tricky thing about hope; it could mean everything you’d ever wanted—or it could devour you whole. I wasn’t sure which road I was headed for, but I found myself surprisingly willing to venture down the path regardless.
Chapter 8
“Did you see? Uncle Travis is here!” Hudson’s exclamation of delight came right after snack time the next day.
I looked up toward the doorway, confused. It wasn’t time for Hudson to be picked up.
I watched Travis talking to Mike, who ran our soccer program for the kids twice a week. They shook hands and my gaze narrowed in suspicion.
I went back to helping Tabitha open her yogurt as the kids finished up snack.
I felt him before I saw him, the heat at my back like a beacon of awareness.
Hudson squealed, jumping out of his seat to greet his uncle.
“Hi, bud.” Travis’s voice was warm as he moved to stand alongside me, scooping Hudson up in his arms.
“Time to go home?” Hudson asked.
“No. I’m going to help coach Mike out today,” he explained.
I looked at him in surprise. “Since when?”
He stared at me with that trademark intensity. “Since I just really like the view around here.”
I flushed, glancing down at Tabitha, reaching out just in time to prevent a giant yogurt glob from landing on her dress.
I tried like hell not to stare out the window as the soccer lesson started ten minutes later.
“Wow, he is so hot,” Lindsey breathed reverently as she stared unabashedly at Travis helping Mike with the kids.
“Yeah.” I had to agree.
Travis was hot at any time, but Travis kneeling down to talk to the kids, with that gorgeous dimple on prominent display? Well, that Travis was downright irresistible.
It was a good thing I’d discovered a newfound form of willpower. Maybe. Probably.
When they wrapped up, the kids came in to nap, and I packed up my things. I left at midday three days a week and taught more yoga classes those days.
I’d learned to be scrappy and creative when it came to making ends meet.
“You headed out?” Travis asked, falling into stride with me as I walked out to my car.
“Yeah.”
“Want to grab some lunch?”
I knew he’d broken through when I felt disappointed that I really couldn’t. “I have class.”
“Dinner, then,” he replied easily.
I let out a short laugh. “Don’t you have work?”
“One of the benefits of being the boss.” He shrugged with a sideways grin.
“Maybe another time,” I replied quietly.
He reached out, grabbing my arm to gently halt my progress. “Em… please tell me I haven’t fucked this up beyond repair.”
I looked up at him, finding his expression shrouded in worry. “A few days ago I would have said yes,” I admitted. “But I’ve had time to think, and although you did hurt my feelings, I think I understand where you were coming from, and I’m willing to accept your apology.”
He visibly slumped with relief. “Good. Does this mean you’ll start returning my texts?”
I had to smile at that. The man had probably texted me a hundred times over the past few days. “Maybe,” I answered coyly.
Accepting his apology didn’t mean he wasn’t going to have to work for it.
His eyes were blazing with intensity as he looked down at me. “I’ll take it. And I’ll text you later. Have a good class.”
With a nod, I watched him walk to his Jeep, admiring the way he moved. For such a big man, there was something so graceful about him.
I shook myself out of my Travis fog and focused on getting to class.
****
My phone rang later that night just as I was crawling into bed. My heart thudded with anticipation when I saw Travis’s name flash on the screen.
“Hi,” I murmured in greeting as I snuggled deeper into my covers.
“Hey.” His voice was impossibly sexy over the phone.
“This isn’t a text,” I commented with a smile.
“No, I wanted to hear your voice. How was the rest of your day?”
“Good. I taught three classes, and then I had to help Mabel pack. Charlie’s taking her on some romantic getaway. She seriously packed a month’s worth of clothes.”
He chuckled. “Oh yeah? So, are we settled on Charlie now?”
I laughed. “You never know with May, but taking her away somewhere will definitely give him some points. I’m going to watch the house for her while she’s gone.”
“Are you going to sleep there?”
“No, but I’ll definitely take advantage of her tub,” I shared. I missed having a bathtub desperately, and May’s was like a small swimming pool. “How was your day?”
“Fine. Things have been a little more hectic since I lost my best receptionist, Sarah, last year. Since then it’s been a revolving door of ineptness.”
“Why did Sarah leave?”
“She was mysterious about it. The girls are still pretty upset. They were close. And whether he admits it or not, there was something going on with her and Theo. Obviously, I could check up on her, but I’m choosing to respect her privacy.”
“So, you’re sans receptionist?” I asked, enjoying any small detail about his life he was willing to share.
“As of this afternoon when I fired the last one? Yes,” he grumbled.
“I don’t imagine it’d be an easy job working for a bunch of type A retired military guys,” I commented.
“Who says I’m type A?” he replied, sounding comically affronted.
“Um, the dictionary?” I retorted, earning a deep belly laugh from him in response.
“I guess that’s fair enough. So, what’s on for tomorrow?”
“The usual. Work, then more work. I’ll pop by May’s to get her mail and check on things. She gets about a hundred catalogues a day. Then I was hoping to catch Ryan on Skype at some point. We haven’t talked in a few days.”
“You two are close,” he commented.
“Yes,” I replied simply.
“Maybe I’ll get to meet him one day.”
I’d never introduced my brother to anyone I was dating before. Not that there had been a long line of suitors. “Maybe,” I replied evasively.
“How about dinner on Friday night?” he suggested.
I thought about that for a minute. “Okay.”
“Okay? Damn that feels good.” He chuckled.
I grinned.
“I’ll pick you up at seven, that work?”
“That works,” I confirmed, grinning like a lovesick schoolgirl.
“All right, I’ll check in with you tomorrow.”
“Okay. Night, Trav.”
“Night, Em.”
****
His nightly calls continued for the rest of the week. He’d call as I was getting ready for bed, and we’d talk until I was nearly falling asleep. I loved hearing his voice at the end of the day.
Friday evening found me soaking in May’s tub when he called.
“Hi.” I smiled as I answered the phone. I swore my face hurt from smiling so much.
“Hey. I can hear an echo, where are you?”
“In May’s tub,” I replied blissfully.
He groaned. “You expect a man to carry on a conversation with that visual?”
I blushed. “Yeah well, it’s awesome for my sore muscles. It’s the one thing I really miss in my place—I just have that tiny shower.”
“Well, you can come soak in my tub anytime you want,” he invited, his tone low and full of intent.
“Oh yeah?” I replied. “I think you’ll have to take me to dinner fi
rst,” I teased.
“Fair enough,” he replied, just as my ears perked to what I swore was movement in the house.
“Hang on.” I pulled the phone from my ear, listening intently, and was sure I heard the tread of footsteps below. Fear had my heart pounding frantically in my chest. “I think there’s someone in the house,” I hissed to Travis as I sprang from the tub and wrapped a towel around myself.
“What?” he clipped, his tone immediately changing to something I hadn’t heard from him before.
“I hear footsteps,” I whispered. “What do I do?”
“I’m patching in the police, and I’m coming, Em.”
“I could try to hide but they’ll know someone is here because of the bath,” I whispered worriedly.
“You’re on the second floor?”
“Yes.” My breathing grew more rapid as I heard multiple steps below. “It sounds like they’re in Benny’s old office.”
I whipped my yoga tights up my legs and threw my sweatshirt back on. I didn’t want to be caught with just a small towel wrapped around me.
“Is there a good place to hide?” he demanded as I heard his engine rumble to life.
I looked around the large bathroom, trying to think. Holing up in a closet would make me feel like a sitting duck.
“If they’re in Benny’s office, I can make it down the stairs without them seeing me,” I whispered urgently.
“Stay where you are,” he instructed firmly. “The police are en route. Five minutes. I’m ten.”
So, in other words, an eternity.
“So, I just sit here and hope they don’t come up here?” I hissed frantically.
“Baby, I need you to stay calm for me, okay?” The combination of his no-nonsense tone mixed with the endearment had me calming a bit. “I want you to stay put. That’s a big house. It’s possible whatever they’re after is downstairs. The police will be there soon,” he reiterated. “I’ll stay on the line with you the whole time.”
“Okay,” I whispered, despite it feeling completely counterintuitive to simply stand and wait.
I fidgeted as I sat on the lip of the bath tub, unable to keep still. I could hear the sound of Travis’s motor and my own frantic breathing as my heart thundered in my chest. When I heard footsteps on the stairs, I froze in panic. I didn’t even have time to tell Travis before the knob turned.
Claim (Talon Security Book 2) Page 5