Page 23 of Mine This Time
“Just calling to give you a small piece of my mind,” she said tartly.
“Excuse me?”
“Look, Nash, you’re a gentleman and my family has known yours for years. I know you’re a good man, but I want to make sure you’re not gonna do anything to hurt my friend, Mariana Channing.”
“Well, uh, this is out of left field.”
“Oh, don’t start with the sports metaphors with me just because my husband plays one professionally,” she drawled. “Mari stayed at Creek’s End Inn with her ex, who took off in the middle of the night. When I spoke to her, she mentioned you’d helped her out. You’re a good man, but she does not need a fling. You’re too charming for your own good.”
I was relieved Hannah couldn’t see me rolling my eyes. Although I wasn’t too close to Hannah, I knew her socially. Her family went as far back in New Orleans as mine. I crossed paths with Hannah and her family with regularity, and of course, everyone knew who her basketball star husband was.
Although I hadn’t expected such a call from Hannah, I appreciated her protectiveness of Mari.
“No need to worry, Hannah. I met Mari when she stopped by looking for her ex. I happen to know her brother because he handled security for my buildings. I offered Mari a place to stay. That’s it.” Obviously, I stayed silent on how much I wanted to kiss Mari again and then some.
“I’m glad I needn’t worry. You keep being nice, you hear me?”
Although Hannah might be nosy, I knew I’d hear it if I harmed a single hair on Mari’s head. Little did she know I liked Mari. Big time. “Of course. Didn’t you just say I was a good man?”
Hannah laughed. “All right, all right. I’m glad you offered Mari a place to stay. She was pretty stressed out when she checked out of here.”
“I can imagine. Anything else you need to lecture me on?
“No, but thank you for listening,” Hannah countered smoothly.
After that call with Hannah, I wondered just what the hell I was thinking with Mari. Perhaps the issue was that I wasn’t thinking. I certainly hadn’t been looking for romance. Work occupied all of my time, and I knew Mari would probably consider me a rebound.
Yet, I was ignoring all of those contingencies. I wanted her.
When I reached my office building after returning from the short stroll from Trent’s office, I welcomed the blast of cool air that hit me when I walked through the doors.
“Hey, Greg,” I called, lifting my hand in a wave just as the security guy hung up the phone at his station, where he manned all the comings and goings in the building.
“Howdy, Nash,” he replied.
Strolling over, I asked, “Schedule’s all set for an extra guy during the nights?
“Of course, sir.”
“How many times do I have to tell you not to “sir” me?”
Greg shrugged. “It’s a habit. You’re my boss.”
“I hired you to manage security because I’ve known you since elementary school, Greg. It’s damn strange when you call me sir. Now that we got an extra guy lined up for nights, I’d like to plan to keep that staffing level in place going forward.”
“Not just while Miss Channing is here?” Greg asked in return.
I nodded. “That’s right. She prompted it because of her situation, but I think it’s good for the business and our tenants.”
“Will do. I’ll make it permanent on the schedule, and get going on making sure we have staff lined up. Anything else you need today?”
“Nope. Thanks for everything.”
After I stopped by my office and caught up on everything Lydia had left in a list on my desk, I called Mari.
Chapter Twelve
Mari
