Page 27 of Meet Cute or Your Money Back

“You don’t have to walk me home,” Allie says when they’re out of sight.

“You were planning to walk home alone? At this hour?”

“It’s only ten-thirty, grandpa,” she says and I see the protest setting into her piercing hazel eyes. “I only live a few blocks away. And…” She reaches inside her purse, digging around inside for a few moments before pulling out a small device with a button at the top. “I’ve got this personal alarm thingy from my sister. It’s obnoxiously loud.”

With a shake of my head, I snort my opinion of that little alarm. “Wow, a personal alarm thingy? How comforting. And it only took you thirty seconds to retrieve it from the black hole that is your purse. Do you know how much can happen in thirty seconds?”

“I’mguessingit can turn you into a condescending prick.” When I don’t give her the satisfaction of a response, she huffs another sigh and rolls her eyes. “Look, even if youdidwalk me home, Biscuit needs his late-night stroll around the block before bed.”

“I’m joining you for your walk. It’s not up for discussion.”

Shoving the alarm back into her purse, she relents, hopefully realizing that arguing with me on this one is futile. “Fine, you win. But only because you’re scarier than any would-be night prowler.”

“Smart choice,” I reply, a ghost of a smile softening my features for a fleeting moment. We start walking together in the opposite direction of her sister.

The warmth of the night air is nothing compared to the simmering annoyance heating in Allie’s gaze as we walk along the dimly lit street. It’s quiet except for the rhythmic click of her heels against the pavement.

Silence doesn’t usually bother me, but something about Allie’s frustrated scowl and creased brow makes me want to crawl out of my skin.

“Look,” I begin, breaking the silence. “I’m sorry for tonight. Sending Griffin over…it’s just a way to gather information. I didn’t mean for you to feel set up or humiliated.”

“Didn’t you?” she shoots back, not quite able to keep the edge from her voice.

“No, I didn’t,” I reiterate.

She crosses her arms defensively around her, brushing against the bow at her hip. I’m suddenly reminded about the quick flash of her body I got when she fell over and her dress flew open. Her creamy skin, long muscled legs, and lean torso has my mouth watering for more.

I squeeze my eyes shut, forcing the image out of my mind. Jesus Christ, I need to get laid soon. It’s been far too long. Between the business and ourside mission of finding Drakon and parenting Duke alone, it didn’t leave a lot of time to take care of carnal urges.

Even still, there will be no more glimpses of Allie. She’s not mine. She’s here to meet her soulmate…and that’s definitely not me.

While I sometimes partake in one-night stands, it’s never with a client. And Allie doesn’t seem like the kind of girl who can do a casual one-night thing.

“Griffin’s an old friend, and I trust his judgment. I needed to know what we’re dealing with here,” I explain, my tone perhaps a little too blunt.

“Dealing with here,” she repeats with a half-hearted chuckle, her hazel eyes meeting mine in the glow of a passing streetlight. “By throwing me into the deep end?”

“The deep end is the only place to see if you can swim,” I reply, my gaze not wavering.

Jenna used to always say that it was maddening how I could stay so calm when we argued. And based on the fury in Allie’s eyes, I’d take a guess that she would agree.

We reach Allie’s condo, I slow my steps with hers, careful not to reveal the fact that I already knew her exact address well before this moment. “Well, this is me,” she says.

I nod. “I’ll wait while you grab Biscuit.”

“Suit yourself,” she mutters, clearly not exactly thrilled with my company but also not in the mood to argue. A minute later, she reappears out the front door with Biscuit at her side, a turquoise leash clipped to his collar.

I study the building. According to my research, it has only four units with Allie’s on the first floor. “Does this place not have outdoor space? Or a yard for Biscuitto use?” I ask.

Biscuit is already pulling her down the porch steps, making a run for the nearest bush. “It does, but the landlord doesn’t want Biscuit doing his business in the shared outdoor backyard space. Even when I clean up after him, it’s just a battle I don’t want to fight.”

I might have to have a call with this landlord myself. This isn’t a bad neighborhood by any means, but it’s quiet and doesn’t have a ton of streetlamps. Not exactly the safest environment for anybody to be walking after dark.

We set off, Biscuit leading the way with eager sniffs and brisk tugs on his leash. Silence falls over us again, punctuated only by the occasional bark or rustle of leaves as the warm summer breeze dances through the branches.

“Thatcher,” Allie says after a few minutes. “Next time, just talk to me, okay? No more setups. I’m a big girl and a bit type A and I like to be prepared.”

“Okay,” I agree. It was a concession I hadn’t expected to make and one that, despite myself, eases some of the tightness in my chest. She’s surprisingly astute and straightforward in a way that someone like me can always appreciate. “Then in the interest of full disclosure, there’s an event that I think we should go to this weekend. There’s at least one man who will be in attendance that I believe would be a good match for you.”

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