Page 60 of Whispers and Wildfire

“You’re absolutely smirking. You’re making fun of me.”

“I’m not. It’s just…”

“What?”

He casually rested a forearm on the counter. My swirling insides were back, as was the warmth in my cheeks.

And elsewhere.

“I just never know what I’m going to get with you.” He sounded mildly amused. “Sometimes you’re completely self-assured, like you have no doubt you’re going to get exactly what you want. And other times, you’re a hot mess.”

“I’m not a hot mess,” I said with a pout.

He raised his eyebrows. “It’s a miracle you didn’t knock over your water bottle just now.”

“I was talking with my hands, wasn’t I?”

“A lot.”

I tucked both hands under my thighs. “There.”

He grinned again. “Look, let’s just… be at work today. And not worry about the rest of it.”

Still pouting slightly, I nodded.

With a soft laugh, he shook his head a little and turned to go to his office. I felt a hint of disappointment, as if I didn’t want him to leave.

He paused and turned back to me. “Can I just ask you one thing?”

“Yeah.”

“Him? Are you sure?”

It was my turn to smirk. “You said we were going to just be at work today and not worry about the rest of it.”

“I know, I know. It’s not my business. But really?”

“What’s wrong with Hank?”

“That dude’s name is Hank?”

I pressed my lips together to suppress a laugh. “Yes. And of course I’m not sure. I went out with him one time. And since apparently we are going to talk about this, if he asks, I’ll see him again. I’m open to the possibilities.”

“You’re really ready, though?” His gentle concern was disarming. “For dating again?”

The way he said that softened me, and instead of being flippant, I answered honestly. “Yeah, I am. I know it seems like my divorce just happened, but we actually split up over a year ago.”

“All right. Just making sure.”

I pulled my hands out from beneath my thighs, pretty sure I wasn’t going to knock anything over. “Thanks. You should probably go fix a car or something.”

His half grin was back. “Yeah, I’ll do that.”

I scowled at the door as he left the lobby. But for once, Luke wasn’t making me angry. It was the unfairness of it all. The fact that the last man on earth who ought to be giving me tingly feelings was the one who did.

My phone buzzed with a text. It was Hank. I blew out a breath, hoping to rid myself of all vestiges of Luke-induced sensations.

It didn’t really work.

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