Page 46 of When Annika Met Thom

Her eyes flashed and he thought she might smack him. Instead, she took a step back and glared at him, her eyes simmering that witchy green. “Fine,” she said, biting off the word.

“Fine,” Thom said, much more calmly, then took the dog out for her final walk of the day. He took his time, running with the dog to numb his desire before he went back. He was fully prepared to find the door locked against him when he returned an hour later.

But Annika was asleep, her cheek on her hand, her russet lashes splayed on her cheeks. She looked so fragile and innocent that Thom wanted to gather her up to keep her safe.

She wasn’t his to protect. He tucked the comforter over her and turned out the lights, then went to the bedroom. He closed the door, putting a chair behind it so he’d have a warning if she opened it during the night.

It took a long time for him to go to sleep.

Maybe it was because for the third time in just over twenty-four hours, he felt like an asshole.

* * *

They metin the kitchen the next morning like two strangers at a coffee bar. Annika had gotten up early to shower and dress before Thom, not wanting to hog the bathroom. She couldn’t decide whether it would be more awkward or less if they’d actually done it the night before. She was a bit embarrassed that she’d come on to him, but glad that she’d said outright what she wanted. Even if she hadn’t gotten it, that was new and better. She’d always waited for Leo to initiate things between them but she was done with that.

She was sipping her tea when Thom came back from his walk with Cerberus and she felt a definite surge of satisfaction at his appreciative survey of her. Percival was on his harness, running laps around the apartment, and the dog immediately noticed that the ferret was out of his cage.

So did Thom. He seized Cerberus’ collar and told her to sit.

Then he looked at Annika again. “You’re ready to go already.”

“I figured with two sisters, you were used to being cheated of bathroom time.”

He smiled and Annika was relieved that they were apparently going to continue as if she hadn’t propositioned him the night before. “You’re determined to challenge my assumptions.”

“Can you blame me?”

“I have the feeling I shouldn’t be surprised. Do you know how to get to wherever you’re going?”

“I think so.”

“Good.” He hung up his jacket and took another slow look.

“Boss lady day,” Annika explained and he nodded.

“You’ve nailed it,” was all he said before he headed into the bathroom.

Annika found herself smiling with pleasure at just three gruff words from this man. She’d bought the tweed pant suit particularly for this job. It was a silk blend in shades of ginger and pumpkin with dashes of black. She preferred pants to a skirt at work, not just because flats looked better with them. She tended to work with men and didn’t want to trouble with heels—she also liked that pants and a turtleneck sweater ensured no one got a glimpse of something she didn’t want to share. She’d braided and coiled her hair tightly so that it was sleek and smooth—that took some effort but it tended to stay put. Her big briefcase was more like a pilot’s bag but it was packed with all she needed for the day. She had a small purse and the inevitable raincoat and thought she’d planned pretty well for her first visit to the city. Thom’s praise convinced her that she had it right.

She’d thought a lot about Leo during the night and she’d shed more than a few tears. There was something about a sunny morning, though, that filled her with purpose. It worked every time, but on this Monday, Annika was ready to conquer the world and never look back.

Thom was right: it was Leo’s loss, and Annika would find someone who appreciated her better. She planned to tell her older sister first and would call her after work. Margritte had never liked Leo so she’d be on Annika’s side.

Plus Annika owed her an apology.

Thom was quicker than she’d expected and Percival was still out when he let the dog out of the bedroom. Cerberus lunged for the ferret, tail wagging and Annika feared the worst. She pulled on the leash, but Percival dug his nails into the floor and wouldn’t move. Cerberus had stopped about three feet away from the ferret and the pair were staring at each other.

“See if they work it out,” Thom said quietly. He stood at the kitchen counter with the bag of dog food, watching and ready to intervene.

Annika let out a little more of the leash so Percival could run if he wanted to. She hardly dared to breathe as Cerberus took a step closer. She looked friendly and curious, but she was enormous compared to the ferret. The tail never stopped. She took another step and then another, as Percival stared at her.

Then she barked and bowed, dropping her chest to the floor. Percival arched his back and hissed, but he didn’t run. The dog’s sniffing was audible as she stretched a little closer. To Annika’s amazement, Percival took a step closer, raising his own nose. She held her breath. They sniffed. They eased closer to each other and the tension could have been cut with a knife. Thom moved slowly to take a position behind Cerberus.

The dog edged closer. The ferret wriggled closer.

Their noses were a finger’s breadth apart when they both recoiled in surprise.

Cerberus growled, making some commentary on the situation, and eased closer again. Percival chattered a little to himself, then stretched out to sniff again. This time, their noses touched.

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