Page 10 of Finally Mine
“And make sure I’m not some kind of psychopath?”
Aldo blinked.Touché, potential psychopath. Touché.
Aldo hefted a shoulder. “You know the saying: Bros don’t let other bros date psychos.”
Gloria gave a soft laugh, and Aldo felt himself grow ten feet tall.
“I’m actually not familiar with that one. Is there some kind of test I have to take?” Harper joked.
But Aldo couldn’t stop staring at Gloria. His gaze roamed her face, memorizing every detail. He hadn’t been this close to her—close enough to touch her—in years. And the reason for that was behind bars.
With Herculean effort, he returned his attention to Harper. “Why don’t I give you the test at dinner? Monday. Here. I’ll grill burgers and dogs,” he suggested, already plotting.
“Gloria, I feel like I should confirm that this gentleman actually is a friend of Luke’s before I agree to let him cook dinner in Luke’s house,” Harper said gamely.
Gloria nodded, her dark hair falling over her forehead. “He is.”
“Since elementary school,” Aldo supplied, still looking at Gloria.
“Good enough for me. Seven here okay for you, Gloria?”
Aldo would have kissed Harper on the mouth if it wouldn’t have messed up his long game with Gloria.
He saw Gloria hesitate. Saw her questioning herself, and he moved an inch closer to her, slapping on his most flirtatious smile. “Please tell me you’ll bring your apple pie.”
He took a breath and went for it, taking one of Gloria’s slim hands in his.He was touching her. Finally.He stared down at her long fingers and ran his thumb over the ridges of her knuckles. Goose bumps sprang up on her bare arms. He didn’t know what was more powerful, her reaction to him or the thrum of his blood in his veins. “I’ll be your slave for life,” he promised.
Gloria’s lower lip trembled before she bit it. She was staring down at their joined hands, and He could have died happy on the spot.
“I’ll bring apple pie,” she said softly. Slowly, she turned back to Harper. “I’ll see you Monday, Harper.”
She pulled her hand free in slow motion, and Aldo enjoyed the feel of her palm and fingers sliding over his. “See you, Gloria,” he said, leaning against the doorframe in case she smiled at him and took him out at the knees.
The upward curve of her lips hit him squarely in the chest. He watched her leave, stepping carefully down the stairs. Probably still healing, he noted and once again swallowed the emotions that clogged his throat. There was a special place in hell for people who abused the innocents of the world. And Glenn Diller would be there. He would see to it.
“It’s nice to see her smile,” he said quietly. Belatedly, he remembered his audience. “So, Harper—if that is your real name—tell me about yourself.”
She cocked her head. “Want to come in?”
“Normally, not until I know whether you can be trusted. But I’m four miles into my eight, and I could use some water.”
He was used to the barren state of Luke’s house, he thought, following Harper back to the kitchen. Without a push from someone, his friend would live like a squatter for the rest of his life. Maybe that “someone” was Harper. If she wasn’t a psycho.
She handed him a water bottle, and they returned to the living room to perch on the homely sofa.
“So, tell me about growing up with Luke,” she said, all sunshine in her smile.
“He was always tagging after me, shadowing me, worshiping me,” Aldo began.
Harper laughed. He fed her a few stories about summers and football and high school all the while attempting to pry information out of her. But she wasn’t forthcoming, parrying his questions about family and jobs and education with more questions of her own. He didn’t get the psycho vibe from her. But the woman had secrets, and he hoped those secrets wouldn’t hurt his friend.
“So, do you know Gloria?” he asked, finally deeming it appropriate to steer Harper in the direction he most wanted to go.
“I actually just met her officially when she stopped by.”
He rubbed a hand over his jaw and realized he’d forgotten to shave again. He’d have to get back in the habit if he was going to make a good impression. “Rumor has it, she moved out and is pressing charges.”
“Rumor has it,” Harper agreed. Her smile was sneaky. “How long have you known Gloria?”
