“Take me to Lee’s office,” I demanded.
“Don’t you do that, Nightingale. I want her here so I can keep an eye on her,” Tex bel owed.
Hank was grinning.
“I’m thinkin’ I don’t have to worry about Tex giving you any crazy ideas,” Hank remarked.
I frowned at him.
He gave my stil -frowning mouth a light kiss then started to leave.
“Don’t expect me to erase your day tonight!” I shouted at his back.
He turned at the door and winked at me.
Then he was gone.
I turned to the woman nearest me and said, exasperation dripping from my voice. “Men!” She was staring at me. “Are people real y shooting at you?”
I looked at her. “Wel … yeah,” I admitted.
“Honey,” was al she said on a shake of her head, that one word speaking volumes, then she turned back in line.
*
Annette, Jason and Daisy strol ed in two hours later. I was sitting on a couch, nursing my second coffee.
Uncle Tex was experimenting on me. The first one was an almond mocha with cinnamon sprinkled on the coffee grounds before brewing. This one was snickerdoodle with a hint of vanil a. Both were divine.
“That space across the street is phat,” Annette announced, throwing herself on the couch next to me.
“We’ve put in an application. I’m, like, jazzed.” She turned to Tex and yel ed, “Americano, big man!”
“Gotcha!” Tex boomed back, scowled at me, apparently not over it yet, and then started banging on the espresso machine.
Daisy sat across from us while Jason went to the espresso counter.
“There’s some space for let down the street. I’m thinkin’
of startin’ a beauty parlor, like in Steel Magnolias, except not in a garage. I gotta find somethin’ to do with my time. I thought I’d do charity work but I’m doin’ this fundraising party and the women on my committee al got sticks up their asses. They wouldn’t know fun if someone beat them over the head with it, and believe me, I’ve thought about it.” I believed her. I also believed she might be moved to do it.
Jet came over and sat with us.
“That’s cool,” Annette said to Daisy after she smiled at Jet. “I’d let you do my hair.”
Jet looked at me with wide, frightened eyes and gave a firm shake of her head that said clearly, “no, no, no”.
I had no time to react, as Daisy started talking.
“Oh Sugar, aren’t you sweet?” Then she gave a tinkly laugh.
The bel over the door went and our eyes turned to see who came in.
Luke was standing there. He’d changed nuances of his overal look; stil al black, his t-shirt skintight, except this time with long sleeves. Instead of just plain boots he had on black motorcycle boots and instead of cargo pants, he had on jeans. As a fashion maven, I appreciated the subtlety that stil managed to pack a punch. As a woman, I just appreciated him.
“Jumpin’ Jehosafats, I think I just creamed my pants,” Annette whispered, staring at Luke.
Luke’s eyes locked on me. He lifted his hand and crooked his finger.
“I was wrong about before. Now, I’ve definitely creamed my pants,” Annette breathed.
I got up and walked to Luke.
He put a hand in the smal of my back and propel ed me into the books.
We turned right, into the biography section, and stopped.
“Got plans tonight?” he asked.
I blinked at him. “I’m going to a strip club,” I answered.
His eyes flashed, momentarily showing his surprise.
Then he gave me one of his sexy half-grins.
My heart stopped beating for a second.
“Why?” I asked.
“I’m your date,” he replied.
My heart stopped beating for five seconds.
Then I breathed. “Excuse me?”
“You’re not on camera, you’re with me,” he said.
“Excuse me?” I repeated.
“Hank cal ed. His case is bustin’ open. He’s busy. I’m assigned to you.”
I blinked, twice. “Excuse me?” I said yet again.
The grin came on ful -fledged and he moved into my space.
“I’m your bodyguard.”
Holy cow.
“You don’t leave Fortnum’s unless you’re with me,” he said.
Holy fucking cow, cow, cow!
I struggled for a second and then decided not to fight it.
I wouldn’t win anyway.
First off, Lord knew I needed a bodyguard. Second, Hank obviously set this up. Last, no way, in hell, was I going head-to-head with Luke.
So, I said, “Okay.”
“Outside this store, you don’t do anything unless you can see me.”
“Okay.”
“You aren’t anywhere unless I’m close enough for you to touch me.”
I gulped at any thought of touching him.
“Okay,” I said, but it sounded kind of strangled.
“We straight?” he asked.
I nodded.
“Roxie, listen to me.”
I stared at him. If I listened any closer, my ears would start bleeding.