Page 28 of Twice in a Lifetime

I would have given anything to fix things for her, but if there was anything I’d learned from having sisters, it was that sometimes women needed to vent without having the answers thrown at them.

I placed my hand on the seat behind Blythe and twisted to look out the back window as I reversed out of the spot with my mind reeling.

Silence filled the cab of my truck, along with the smell of her intoxicating perfume. It was the same as it had been all those years ago. Like amber and roses. Despite how subtle the fragrance was, it packed the strongest punch.

“How’s the hand, slugger?”

She lifted the hand she’d used to punch Oswald in the throat and flexed it, opening and closing her fingers. “A little sore, but nothing a little ice won’t fix.” A pleased smile pulled at hermouth. “I’d be lying if I said it hadn’t felt really freaking good to do that.”

My dick jerked against my thigh like the fucking thing was trying to punch out of my jeans. Still, despite my arousal, I couldn’t shake the concern I felt tightening my chest. “You need to be careful with guys like Lonny Oswald, Blythe.”

She waved that away. “Oh, it’s fine. Besides, that prick’s deserved a punch in the throat since we were kids.”

“Can’t deny that. Just... try to stay away from him, okay?” Something told me she’d put herself on that asshole’s radar, and I hated the thought of her being there.

Chapter Fifteen

Blythe

Gretchen came speed-skipping into the break room with Diana and Merritt close on her heels. I swirled the wooden stirrer around in my mug as I turned from the coffeemaker. Gretchen and Diana had grins a mile wide while Merritt looked more curious and unsure than anything.

I frowned at them before hitching my brows up as I took a sip of my coffee. “What’s happening right now? You guys are being weird.”

Gretchen did a little hop and clasped her hands in front of her. “There’s someone here to see you.”

My head tilted to the side in confusion. “To see me? Who?”

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask his name.”

Diana chimed in then. “She was struck dick-stupid and forgot to ask.”

I choked on the sip I’d just taken. “What?” I croaked.

Gretchen fanned her face and rolled her eyes back in her head. “Can you blame me? The dude isgorgeous.”

I could only think of one man who was worthy of that kind of salivating. An entire horde of butterflies came to life in my belly as my fingers gripped my mug tighter. It had been two days since Rhodes had given me a ride home from the bar, and I hadn’t been able to stop thinking about him. Because my life wasn’t complicated enough, I had to go and start fixating on my ex again.

“Um, okay... thanks.” I started out of the break room, the three of them plastering themselves against the wall so I could pass, then skittering after me.

I bypassed the entry for the nook where our desks were, and moved straight into the waiting room. Sure enough, Rhodes was standing there, his back to me, as he took in the pictures lining the wall. It was impossible not to notice the way his jeans molded to his firm, round behind, or the way the muscles on his back danced with each inhale beneath the material of his shirt. Rhodes had always had a big presence, but it was so muchmorenow, almost overwhelming.

I cleared my throat to get his attention, not trusting that my voice wouldn’t come out as a squeak.

He turned around, a grin already firmly in place, and damn if it wasn’t a flutter-inducing one. “Hey, Angel.”

Diana squeaked and Gretchen let out dreamy sigh at the use of the pet name Rhodes had given me when we were kids. Growing up, it had been impossiblenotto notice my best friend’s older brother, and I would have been lying if I said I hadn’t formed a crush long before he ever noticed me. And having him call meAngelonly made that crush stronger.Angelwas what got me through when I thought I would never have a chance in hell, andAngelwas what had solidified my love for him.

That was why hearing it the night he’d come over for dinner had hurt so damn much. I hadn’t been able to handle it. It wasstill hard. But I would have been lying if I said it wasn’t starting to feel good.

“Hey. What are you doing here?”

His gaze darted over my shoulder, and I turned to see that Heather, and even Dr. Shaundry, had joined the huddle behind the desk to listen in.

“Any chance you can take a break? It’ll be short. I don’t want to take up too much of your time.”

“Um...” I looked back at the girls again and bugged my eyes out, silently communicating that they were all being ridiculous. “Yeah, sure. Follow me.”

The thick soles of his motorcycle boots thumped against the floor behind me as I led him back to the break room. “Can I get you a cup of coffee or anything?” I offered, pointing at the snazzy machine I’d come to love like it was my fourth child.

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