Page 85 of Nothing to Fear

“Smart and pretty. You did good, bro.”

Tripp offered his hand to help her out of the car. He was gracious, gentle, didn’t stop Darroch taking her hand back the moment they were on the sidewalk.

“Come in and eat with us,” Darroch said to his brother.

“No, thanks, Fernando’s not talking to me.”

“What did you do? His daughter or the dirty on his debt?”

“Nothing that fun,” Tripp said, still smiling at her, curiosity pinching his lower eyelids. “You really are beautiful.”

She glanced between the men. “Are you screwing with your brother?”

Because he couldn’t be coming on to her for real.

“No, just surprised.”

“Don’t hit on her,” Darroch said, relaxed. With his humor on, a tease flavored his voice. “Have some class, brother.”

Tripp laughed. “Man, you are possessive of this one. Cabe was right.”

“Yeah, what you doing down here when your thing’s tonight?”

“Not for hours,” Tripp said. “You bringing your girl?”

“Yeah, ‘cause I’m fucking insane. Where were you at tonight? If it was dinner, where’s your date?” He bumped her arm with his. “Tripp can only eat food if there’s a beautiful woman at the table with him.”

“A lot of things I can only do with a beautiful woman present,” Tripp said, full of confidence. “And not to disappoint, but no dinner date. Not yet anyway, I might pick one up on the way upstairs. This is me getting home from last night.”

“Why do I even fucking ask,” Darroch said, smirking and shaking his head. “Is Roxie home?”

“You want her to be? Bring your girl up, we’ll find out.”

“No, raincheck, we have something on tonight.”

“Oh, yeah? Standing me up?” Tripp snickered. “I’d do the same if Savvy was my alternative.” From nowhere, he snapped his fingers. “Sizzle Girl.”

She gasped. “Oh my God! You don’t—you know about that?” Laughter released her tension and anxiety. “Really? How do you know about that?”

“I know things, and I never forget a face or a body,” Tripp said, his gaze traveling down her form. “Where you working now? No way I heard right that you’re still at Breckenridge, you can do so much better.”

“Thanks, but I…” She shook her head. “I don’t do that anymore.”

“‘Cause of this lug? You can do better than him too.”

“No, no, Darroch’s amazing.”

“You must’ve got him on a good day.” They laughed again. “But, seriously, think about it. I can get you representation. Great representation. Whatever you need. I’ve seen it, you can write your own ticket. There’s a shoot in St. Barth’s next week—”

“No, thank you. That chapter of my life is closed. Completely.”

“Shame,” Tripp said. “You ever change your mind…”

“I know where to find you.”

“You’ll never get away with sneaking out on Mom,” Darroch said, getting them moving.

“A double date,” Tripp said, joining them. “Breck better step up his game.”

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