“Thank you.” It probably sounded more like a question because the statement came out of nowhere.
“She likes you.” He glanced at the kitchen. “And thinks you’re good for Ashley.”
If I were a peacock, I would have strutted around showing off my tail feathers. Somehow, hearing it from John meant more than Violet shamelessly trying to pair us up. Maybe because all her attempts were based on physical attraction, but this went deeper.
“How serious is it?”
“We’re talking things out.”And I’m dying to drag her off like a fucking heathen and claim her.
“Good.”
“No warning about mixing business with pleasure? No telling me you have a rule against sleeping with a client?”
John laughed. “Would it do any good?”
I smiled while giving a single slow shake of my head.
“Will you be careless with her safety because you’re in love with her?”
There’s that word again. “Hell no.”
“Lastly, do you think I’d dare incur the wrath of Violet York by telling you to stay away?”
It was my turn to laugh.
Chapter 30
Ashley
On Tuesday morning, Nathan checked the video feed before escorting Gran and me to my car, which he insisted on driving.
“Come on, Slick, just give me your keys.” He held his hand out.
“Slick?” Gran asked.
Watching Nathan as he realized his mistake was priceless. I was ready to cover for him but wanted to watch him sweat. His comically wide, ice-blue eyes turned to me. Begging. Pleading.
“It’s nothing. Nathan thinks he’s funny.” My shit-eating grin was pure innocence.
He nodded, but not before shooting me a look that promised I’d hear about it later.I wonder if he’ll spank me. I slammed the lid shut on that thought. Fantasizing about Nathan with Gran in the car would be a fate worse than death.
“Hmm, alright.” She looked between us. If I had to guess, Gran was debating whether she should call us out on the lie. “Give him your keys. It’ll be fun to have a handsome chauffeur.”
Remembering Jamie driving Emily and me around last July made me laugh so hard I snorted. It was either that or cry. Because Jamie had driven that day for the same reason Nathan was driving today.
How the hell did I let this happen?
Instead of taking the keys, Nathan’s warm hand surrounded mine. “You okay?”
Damn him for seeing too much.
“Yeah, just remembering when Emily needed protection and Jamie was our chauffeur.”
His stare drilled into my soul, seeing what I didn’t want him to see. With a quick nod, he said, “Okay then, let’s go.” He turned to Gran. “We don’t want to keep your doctor waiting.”
Nathan stood guard while I helped Gran into the back seat. He folded her walker and put in the front passenger seat. When I asked why he didn’t put it in the trunk, he whispered, “Quick access.”
Hoping my forced smile hid my fear, I slid into the back seat next to Gran. Nathan started the engine, propped his phone in my mounted dash phone holder, and adjusted the mirror.
