Page 37 of Objection to Love

And she felt a little silly that driving a truck made her feel just as warm and content as she did successfully doing her job.

She put the car into park, glancing at Garrett for the first time in a half hour. His eye had started to swell. “Ireallyam sorry about that.”

He shook his head. “Don’t worry about it. The scar will only make me more handsome, right?” He turned to face her, and the jagged line through his eyebrow stood out in all its red, grisly glory.

She grimaced.

“Well, that’s comforting.” He chuckled, opening his door.

She mimicked the motion, climbing out of the truck on her side. His truck was high but not unmanageably so. Still, she jolted a bit as she hit the concrete with both feet.

“And you’re sure you don’t need to see someone?”

“My mom will worry over me enough, thanks though.”

“Okay…” She pulled her keys out of her purse. “If you’re sure…”

“I am. One thing though.”

Em looked back at him. He was going to cancel their deal. He’d be crazy not to, and she felt crazy herself at the strange regret enveloping her over the fact that they’d only made it through one day.

“You owe me two extra hours next week since today’s adventure was cut short.”

Em stared at him. “I… what?”

“It’s only fair. If I’d known the bleeding was going to stop so fast, I might have made you stay out there with me.” He leaned against the post by her porch step.

“You still want to do this?”

“Yeah, of course. Though, come to think of it, I’m going to cancel our afternoon at the shooting range. I don’t trust you with a gun.”

“I’m very good with a gun, actually.”

It was his turn to look shocked. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope. My brother-in-law made me take a few self-defense classes, buy a gun, and get my concealed carry permit when I insisted on moving out of my apartment and into my own house.”

“Wow. You never cease to surprise, September Miller. How often do you carry?” She saw his eyes drop to her hips, as if he’d find a gun there.

“Em,” she corrected.

He only smirked, so she sighed and answered the question, “Never, really. I don’t go anywhere that I’d need it. But it makes Jackson feel better, so I keep it up to date. My gun just sits in its lonely safe, probably never to be used.”

“Jackson is your brother-in-law? He sounds like a great guy.”

Em smiled. “He is. I’m so glad he and April figured things out.”

“Sounds like there’s a story there.”

“There is.” Em ignored the raised eyebrows on Garrett’s face. He would have to hear the story from April or Jackson. They told it the best. Mainly because it was never the same on both sides. Jackson insisted April fell in love first, unable to resist his charming nicknames and incredible business acumen. April always talked about some horseback riding incident and a hospital visit.

Garrett, apparently, accepted that she wouldn’t be sharing any more than that and simply nodded.

“Well, thanks for attempting to help me have fun, and breaking your face in the process.”

“Yeah, let’s remember who did the real breaking of my face.”

Em bit down on her smile. “I’ll see you later then?”

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