Page 22 of Big Trouble
7
Jack
Istared down at Lo’s hand. “I don’t shake on a date.”
“I don’t date clients.”
Her brow arched. I think she was warming to me.
I gave her hand the briefest of shakes, trying to ignore the tingle that coursed through my bloodstream. I licked my lips while staring at hers. Caught up in the moment, I could almost forget why we were sitting here together, how we met. I could get lost in those gorgeous chocolate brown eyes of hers and continue staring at her perfectly kissable lips.
We sat in silence until Lo broke the gaze and shoved a forkful of carrot cake into her mouth.
A smile played on my lips as I watched her.
“What? Lunch break’s nearly over and I’m hungry,” she said through mouthfuls of cake.
“And I promised Ciara I’d get you back before you turned into a pumpkin.” Now we’d made a tiny amount of progress, I was determined not to ruin it. Getting Lo back late and incurring the wrath of her boss wouldn’t do. I drained the last of my coffee, wishing I’d got some pain killers with me. The amount I’d done today was already way more than I’d done in a couple of weeks, since getting out of the hospital. I could feel a nap coming on. Although Maddox had said something about coming over for the bike. I blew out a breath.
Lo’s brows knitted together. “Sorry, am I keeping you from something?”
“Sorry, no, I was, um, thinking about Maddox.” How lame did I sound? Here I was, with a gorgeous, sexy brunette and I just told her I was thinking about a guy. I wanted to slap my own forehead.
Luckily, she laughed. “I can see why, he’s hot. Although I’d never let Lyla hear me say that.”
I grinned. She was definitely warming up.
My car was around the block and we walked back to it in a comfortable silence. I couldn’t have hoped for a better outcome. I’d managed to smooth things over with her and I’d scored a date as a result. Even if she didn’t see it like that. I got Lo back to the office by 12:56.
She didn’t get out of the car straight away, fiddling with her purse and studiously avoided looking at me. “Thanks, Jack. It was nice of you. For apologizing. Well, sort of.”
I reached across her and she tensed. Instead of touching her, I opened the car door. “Go on, I don’t want you getting into trouble again on my account. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
Her head snapped to face me. “You will?”
I shrugged. “It’s Ladies Night at the bar, isn’t it? You wouldn’t want to miss it.”
Lo opened her mouth as if to say something, then thought better of it. “I guess I’ll see you later.”
“You can bet on it.” I flashed her my biggest smile and watched her walk away.
Seven o’clock couldn’t come quickly enough.
Back at home, I changed into some old jeans I’d found in the back of the closet and a t-shirt which had seen better days. If I was going to be working on a bike, I didn’t think designer clothes would cut it. While I waited for Maddox, I fixed a quick snack. After I’d eaten, I found the pill dispenser and took the regulation dose. I’d been straight with Lo earlier, I really did want to work hard and get better. It was killing me not being able to race.
My phone pinged with a message from Maddox telling me he’d be here in ten.
I went out to the garage and opened up, waiting for his arrival.
He was there in five.
Maddox was a good guy. Most of the time, I had trouble remembering why I hated him so much. Then he’d open his mouth and make a snide comment about me always beating him when we raced. And there it was. I don’t know why I thought this time would be any different.
He jumped out of the truck and whistled through his teeth when he saw the bike. “Whoa, some Ducati. Gonna be a beauty when it’s all fixed up.”
I nodded solemnly. There were so many things which were going to be so much better when they were all fixed up.
“Let’s get it out of here.” Maddox took the lead, as I hobbled behind him.
