Josie straightened the papers on her desk, guilt swirling in her abdomen. Tom was a good friend and had been since she arrived in town. While he was wrong to turn Shane in, he did it to protect her. To help her.
She glanced at her watch. Maybe she’d run down to the cafeteria on the first floor and grab cappuccinos for them both as a sort of apology. Escaping her office, even for just a coffee, was so appealing. She’d stay in the building so Shane wouldn’t be upset, but she needed some caffeine, as well as a chance to make things right with Tom.
She stretched her calves on the way to the elevator. It’d been way too long since she’d gone for a jog. Something she and Shane had done together during their brief marriage. She’d loved running with him.
Her punch card took care of the coffee on the first floor, and she took another elevator up. Would Tom be angry? She had really clocked him.
Tom’s floor consisted of several smaller businesses, all sharing space. The tray balanced easily in her hands as she smiled at the receptionist the floor shared. The young brunette said something into a phone and looked up with a smile. “Tom said to go on back.”
Well, at least he’d see her. Josie nodded, walking down the minimally decorated hallway, past closed doorways, to Tom’s small office. She entered without knocking. “I brought you coffee.” Careful movements and she placed one cup in front of Tom, taking the other for herself as well as a seat.
Tom sat behind his scarred desk, flannel sleeves rolled to showcase muscular forearms. Building plans perched against a far wall, and a set of ancient tools decorated the side wall. “Is this an apology?” His brown hair was mussed, as if he’d been running his hands through it. An array of papers spread across his desk, all bidding contracts.
Josie fought a blush, concentrating on her friend and not the spectacular view of the mountains outside the small window. “Yes. I’m sorry I kneed you. Though you were wrong to turn Shane in to the police.”
A smile played on Tom’s lips. “Even so, you didn’t need to turn me into a eunuch.”
She cleared her throat. “Ah, well, are you all right?” She so didn’t want to have a discussion about his balls. Not that he wasn’t hot, because good-looking was an understatement. But her heart lay elsewhere.
“I’m fine. It was a good move—one I hope my sisters know to use if anybody ever threatens them.” He took a drink of the coffee. His throat moved when he swallowed, a masculine movement in a fit man.
Relief filled her. She didn’t have many friends and certainly hadn’t wanted to lose him. “I’m sorry. I really am.”
Tom placed his cup on the desk. “Is there anything I can do to help you?”
“No.” She took another sip. “I’ll figure out my path. I will.” Wouldn’t she?
He shook his head. “I hope so.” He sat back and she was struck again by the perfect evenness of his features. Straight nose, high cheekbones, full lips.
“You’re a good-looking man, Tom.”
He rolled his deep brown eyes. “Thanks.” A line of numbers scrolling across his screen caught his attention. He turned back to her. “Any news on who trashed your offices?”
“No.”
“That’s so weird.” The screen caught his eye again before he focused back on her. “They had to be looking for something. What do you think they wanted?”
“No clue. Possibly financial information on random big clients. Who knows.” The numbers flashed yellow. “What’s keeping your attention?”
Tom shrugged. “The county is granting bids on three projects, and all the subcontracting awards are going through.”
“I hope you get a couple.” The man had a job to do, and she was distracting him, so she stood. “Anyway, thanks for being so understanding about the entire situation. I appreciate your friendship.”
He leaned back, dark eyes appraising and making him look older. “I want more.”
She opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. So she cleared her throat. “I know—”
“No, I don’t think you do.” The numbers flashed by on the screen, but this time Tom ignored them. “I’m not going to let you ruin your life.”
She stepped back. “I, uh, I’m not ruining my life.”
“No. You’re not.” Determination lifted his jaw.
Irritation swirled through her. Enough with overbearing men. “I haven’t promised you anything.”
“Haven’t you?” He tilted his head to the side. “That’s debatable. Regardless, I will figure out what’s going on with your soon-to-be ex-husband. He’s not the only one with contacts in the police department.”
That couldn’t be good. Shane needed to keep a low profile, as did his brothers. “I’d appreciate it if you let me handle it.”
Tom turned back to the screen. “Thanks for the coffee.”