Page 15 of Known By You
More mature and mellow than I’d imagined? Also, problematically, check.
“One requirement before we go in,” he said, a little mischief on his face.
“Requirement?” I took orders from my regional chief and there was bureaucracy a mile long at times, but very few people told me what to do anymore. Having him do it, even in this small way, was… new.
He nodded as though what came next was wisdom and not nonsense. “Yes. Road trip requirement. You have to pick a snack you think I’ll like, and I’ll do the same for you.”
He wasn’t ordering me in any way that encroached on my autonomy or even on the mission. Instead, he was creating an opportunity, or more simply, a game. With the stakes set at “snack preferences,” I could accept, and so I did.
I chuckled, oddly pleased by this. “Ah, okay. Challenge accepted.”
He grinned. “Something makes me think you never back down from a challenge.”
I didn’t have a response to that, so I turned and made for the entrance, a bit breathless from those crystal blue eyes, the same color as the sky, pinned on me and saying things that definitely felt like a challenge in themselves.
And no. Generally speaking, I did not back down.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Kenny
The woman smiled at me, a sultry, coy thing.
She was pretty, for sure. But I was working, and I had no time for flirting, even if it was a favorite pastime. Right now, I had to figure out which of two items to choose for Liz’s snack, and failure was not an option.
“Where are you headed?” She took a step closer and flipped her curly blond hair over one shoulder.
“California. You?” Ignoring her would be outright rude and that wasn’t me, but I made a point not to look at her or seem engaged in the conversation.
“Fun. We’re heading to Vegas, baby!”
Two women by the beverage fridges joined her in a screechy, “Woooo!” and they all threw their hands up.
I chuckled and grabbed the right snack—I felt it in my gut, this one was for Liz.
“Sounds fun. You ladies have a great time and be safe.” Igave them a smile and nodded at the blond one next to me, who was already turning with a “whatever” look on her face.
After paying, I wandered out to the car, surprised to find Liz already settled into the passenger seat. I jogged over and slipped into the driver’s side.
“Sorry. Guess I was taking my sweet time.”
She shrugged. “Had to let the ladies down easy.” She shot me a look.
I rolled my eyes. “Hey, I can’t help if I was the only guy under fifty available to flirt with, can I?”
She chuckled and shook her head. “It doesn’t hurt that you look like that.” Her hand waved up and down.
My mouth dropped open, and I made no attempt to hide the blazing smile on my face. “Why, Elizabeth Malcom, did you just call me hot?”
She sighed. “Goodness. You are a lot.”
“Oh, I am. But I’ll grow on you, I promise.” I tossed out the retort in my usual breezy tone, but something pinched in my chest.
I had always been a lot. I didn’t know how not to be.
She laughed, low and a little breathy. A blessed distraction.
“I have no doubt that’s true.”
