Page 13 of Evidence of Secrets

He leaned back and felt the tension release from his body.. The view from his condo always relaxed him. There was no place he had to be and no one Hank wanted to see. It was just the way he liked it.

Or was it?

Sometimes he imagined coming home to a wife, maybe some rug rats. They’d talk about their day, have dinner, put the kids to bed, and then he would make love to his woman all night, making her scream his name while she orgasmed multiple times.

Bah. What was he thinking? Been there, done that.

Hank dodged the bullet on marriage to Heather. It turned out she only wanted his money, his gifts, his status, and wasn’t it funny that she married a grifter who thought she had it all?

Life was funny that way.

CHAPTERELEVEN

“So are you going to ask Hank out or not?” Hailey Knight tilted her head to the side and raised her brows. She’d pulled her streaked blond hair in a ponytail. Today she wore black leggings topped with a coral off-the-shoulder blouse.

Laura invited Hailey to meet her at the Roasted Bean for coffee. Hailey’s husband, Danny Knight, was Hank’s best friend. If anyone could help her figure out Hank, Hailey could.

The Roasted Bean was around the corner from KnightGuard Security but still close to Laura’s restaurant. Since Hailey was meeting Danny at the office this morning, it was a perfect spot to meet. Besides, who didn’t love the smell of fresh-roasted coffee beans?

Laura shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. What do you think?”

“I’ve told you Hank is a nice guy. Treats women right, although he doesn’t stay with them long, so I wouldn’t plan a long-term relationship with him. I think you’ve heard he has a reputation as a ladies’ man?”

Laura nodded. She held little truth in rumors; she liked to go with her gut reaction. Her gut told her there was more to Hank Peterman than most people knew.

“Plus, I know he’s already had one heartache that he’s never gotten over.”

“Heartache?” Besides losing her mother and having her father run off, Laura never had a heartache from a man. Of course, she never put herself in a position to have one.

Hailey leaned in closer, which was silly because with the whirring of the espresso machine, orders being taken, and people talking, no one could hear them.

“Yes, heartache. Danny told me that Hank was engaged to be married a while ago, but just before the wedding, his fiancée dumped him.” Hailey shook her head. “Hank was heartbroken and vowed never to get married.”

“That’s so sad.” And it was, but Laura didn’t want to marry Hank. She just wanted to get to know him better. Jake was nice but didn’t make her lady parts tingle like Hank. Laura thought she and Hank had chemistry during the little time she spent with him.

“I wonder if he’ll think I’m being too aggressive if I ask him out?” Laura hated sounding weak, but her feeling about Hank flummoxed her. She didn’t want to come across as being too forward. And she didn’t want to wait for Hank to call. He might never call. Although it was silly that the double standard was still around.

Hailey fiddled with the pearl solitaire necklace around her neck. “Laura, this is the twenty-first century. Gosh, girl, how long has it been since you’ve been on a date or called someone for a date?”

“Apparently too long.” Laura shook her head. “Call someone for a date? Maybe never.”

“I guess Jake doesn’t count?” Hailey’s lips curled into a smile.

“Jake and I are friends with benefits. Sometimes.”

The server came over with refills on the coffee, then left.

“Who told you I was dating Jake?” Sam wouldn’t, but maybe someone saw them together. Didn’t matter.

Hailey zipped her lips, then asked, “Is it serious?”

Laura shook her head.

Hailey reached out and took Laura’s hands in hers. “Laura, you need to learn to trust other people, or you’ll end up very lonely.”

Laura sat back in the chair and swallowed hard. “I know. It’s hard.” Learning to trust was not high on her list of things to change about herself. She’d been hurt too many times over the years and only trusted herself.

Hailey picked up her phone. “How about I have Danny invite Hank over for dinner? Then I could invite you.”

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