Page 51 of When Annika Met Thom

“Does that pay enough to make ends meet?”

“No, but I like it.” He shrugged. “I have a second job.”

When he fell silent, Annika prodding him. “Doing….?”

“Detailing cars at a garage. Also parking them.”

They ate in silence for a few minutes.

“And do you like that?”

“Yes. Good guys there.”

Again, silence fell.

She decided to be blunt. “What’s Kyle’s deal?”

“Why?”

“Because he hit on me about nine times today.”

“Is that all?”

“Is that all he did or is only nine times somehow noteworthy?”

“Nine seems low. I would expect him to be making a move every five minutes or less.”

“Why?”

“Because Kyle is kind of impressive in his appetites.”

“How picky is he?”

She earned a dark look for that. “You’re fishing.”

Annika felt her cheeks heat because he was right. “Just a bit. Sorry. It’s reassuring to hear that you’re attractive after you get dumped. Human nature.”

Thom nodded. “Fair enough.” He met her gaze. “You are attractive. Never doubt it.”

Six words and her heart was on fire. She knew he didn’t just throw compliments around, though, so his admiration was more impressive than Kyle’s. “And Kyle?”

“Well, you’re female and you’re breathing and you’re new. That’s enough for him because he also lives in the moment.”

“So I should avoid him?”

Thom shrugged. “Up to you. Women seem to be pleased with whatever he offers. There don’t often seem to be hard feelings afterward.”

“He just moves on.”

Thom nodded.

Annika was thinking that Kyle might be just the kind of diversion she needed. He was incredibly good looking, in that blond surfer-bum kind of way. He was ripped, but not as big as Thom, and completely self-assured. He’d have no expectations, while she thought Bruno probably did. “He seems to be the president of his own fan club,” she said, almost to herself.

Thom laughed. “Sounds like you understand him perfectly. He’s got no lack of confidence.”

But neither did Leo. Annika had to wonder whether the sex would really be better. Two weeks meant she had time to think about her options.

Meanwhile, Thom was eating in silence.

---