Page 24 of When Annika Met Thom

He frowned at the wall. “Of course not. I’ll be back around dinner, in time to feed Cerberus. Six-ish probably.”

“Right around the same time as Leo.” There was no smile or anticipation in her voice this time and he couldn’t guess at her thoughts.

Or he didn’t want to.

“Maybe,” was the most Thom could acknowledge. “See you.”

“Maybe not,” she said. “We might bebusy.”

He paused and risked a glance her way. “Here?”

“It’s his apartment.”

Thom was getting tired of that reminder.

She stood up and stretched for the ceiling. She stretched almost as much as Cerberus did. “Don’t be surprised if you find the deadbolt on.”

Thom looked around the apartment, debating the merit of warning her about the dog’s curiosity. On the one hand, it was only fair. On the other, Leo wasn’t coming back today, so there was zero chance of the happy couple expressing the joy of their reunion.

He should have just shut up, but he couldn’t. It pissed him off that Annika thought it would be okay to lock him out and he’d had just about enough of this Leo’s apartment shit.

“I live here, you know,” he said, his tone a little sharper than it had been. Her eyes widened a little in surprise. “I pay rent to live here and I’m all paid up. And my dog will need to go outside as well as be fed.”

“Oh, I hadn’t thought…”

“No. Youdidn’tthink.” Thom was more angry than he realized, and it wasn’t just because he was protective of his dog. “Maybe you and Leo do belong together, because that was an asshole thing to say.”

She braced her hands on her hips, not backing down. Her eyes flashed. “Well, we’re not going to do it on the couch and leave the door open for you to come in.”

“No, of course not, so if I’m inconvenienced, whatever. As long as you get what you want. That’s the only thing that’s important.” He held up two fingers, keeping them together, and shook them before her. “Two peas in a pod and fuck the rest of the world. I hope you two are happy together.”

She flushed crimson. “That’s not what I said!”

“You might as well have. They say no good deed goes unpunished. I should have left you in the corridor instead of trying to benice.” With that, he patted Cerberus and reached for his coat, his blood simmering. He turned to glare at her. “Don’t hurt the dog or I will find you and make you regret it.” She took a step back, looking alarmed. Well, she should. “And if this door is locked against me when I get back tonight, I will kick it down to get to my dog. That’s a promise. It’s Leo’s apartment. He can pay for the repair.”

He’d hauled open the door before she spoke, and when she did, her tone was so soft that he was surprised into stopping.

“You’re right.” He glanced over his shoulder to find her eyes shimmering. “I’m sorry.

“Donotturn on the taps,” he said.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“That women always start the tears to get around somebody or duck an apology. It’s a manipulative trick and I don’t have to put up with it from you.”

“Women as inallwomen?” She was insulted—again—but at least she was blinking away her tears.

“All the ones I’ve known.”

“Maybe you need to get out more.”

“Maybe you don’t like someone calling you on a cheap trick.”

Annika shook her head and stood taller. “I’m not most women, but you haven’t had time to learn that yet. I’m apologizing. You’re right. You’ve been nice and that wasn’t fair.” Her voice faltered. “I’ve just been missing that part of things.”

Thom bit his tongue to keep from noting that Leo hadn’t been missing anything.

She lifted her chin and met his gaze steadily. “Thank you, Thom. I really appreciate that you let me stay and I will take care of Cerberus today. Promise.” She crossed her heart with two fingertips as he watched, astonished.

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