Erin didn’t see that happening, but who was she to say? “I won’t say a word.”
“Yep. That Smith Ramsey is one big pot of trouble. Sasses and swears like a Marine for sure. But he helps me when I need it. And sometimes even when I don’t.” She scowled. “He had the balls to tell me to watch myself on the stairs. Said I should be taking my old ass up and down in the service elevator. Can you believe that?”
“Somehow I can see him using those exact words.”
Tilly’s eyes crinkled with amusement. “He’s a horse’s patoot. Must be why I like him.”
Erin could name a dozen reasons whysheliked him. Her date Thursday had blindsided her, making her feel so much she wasn’t yet ready to handle. She didn’t want to talk out of turn, but she needed Tilly’s opinion. “I learned a few things about him when we spent the day together downtown.” She noted Tilly’s attention and continued, “Smith had a pretty bad childhood. Lots of drama, and now he no longer talks to his mom. It’s sad.”
“Huh.”
“But he found out he has family he never knew about, and he doesn’t know how to deal with them. That’s the family I’m meeting tonight. A brother he just learned he had. I want to help him, but I feel kind of out of place.”
“Why?”
“Well, because…”
“You’re his friend, aren’t you? So, go with him and be his friend. Don’t focus on being his mattress. He needs emotional support from you right now.”
Erin nodded. “That’s what I figured. Being there to help him.” Then what Tilly said penetrated. “Wait. Did you say not to focus on being his mattress?”
“With a man that big, it would have to be king-sized. You’re kind of tiny for the position, ain’t ya?” Tilly hooted. “Sorry. Sometimes I can’t help myself. I mean it though. Be his friend. We all need ‘em.” Tilly brightened. “And on that note, Rupert said he’s going to give you a phone number so you can make your own kinda friend. I guess you made an impression on my nephew. And don’t forget about the Hall-o-ween party on the 31st. We like to give out candy for the kids in the building, and the McCallisters like to hold open houses for people to mingle and get to know each other. It’s nice. The McCallisters serve good booze.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” Nervous about just who Rupert might be trying to set her up with, she said, “Rupert doesn’t owe me anything. I’m actually doing pretty well on friends now.”
“Yeah? Who do you know?”
“You, Smith, and Reid—his brother.”
“That’s just sad.”
Erin sighed. “I know. I’m trying. I haven’t been in town all that long.”
“Funny, feels like you’ve been here forever.” Tilly grinned. “And not in a lingering-fish-smell-in-the-fridge kind of way either. The nice kind.”
“Er, thanks.” Erin finished the scones, listened to Tilly’s gossip about Mallory and Jill Keen fighting over Jill’s supposed affair, about Mark Johnson’s apparent addiction to wine, because who the hell drank fifteen bottles a week, and Brad Battle’s shoe size, because all the women Tilly talked to thought he just might be that impressive “where it really counted.”
Finally, Tilly ran out of gossip, and Erin managed a word edgewise as she finished with the scones, now drizzled in white glaze. “If you’re saying all this about my neighbors, what do you say to others about me?”
Tilly wiggled her brows. “I tell everyone you snagged the unattainable Smith Ramsey. Seriously, everyone wants to meet you at Hall-o-ween.”
Good Lord. What would Smith think of that? “Tilly, stop gossiping.”
“I swear I will…the day I’m dead and buried. Ha! Now go on and get ready for your hot and heavy date with my handyman. But you be nice, Erin Briggs. I need him happy and in one piece. Without him around, this place would go straight to hell.”
Erin read the serious undertone of worry in Tilly’s voice. “I have no plans to hurt your handyman. Let’s just hope he doesn’t break my heart. It’s barely mended from Cody.”
“Nah. That was just an infatuation with a little prick. And I mean that literally.”
Erin ignored the sad truth of her statement.
“Smith’s a man. He’ll take care of your heart if you give it to him. But that’s the kicker. You have to hand it over, honey. He might act like a brute, but he’d never take what wasn’t willingly given.”
Then Tilly physically pushed Erin out the door and slammed it behind her.
“Well, that was just rude.” Erin went back to her apartment, showered, then spent half an hour trying to figure out what to wear, all the while thinking about what Tilly had said about Smith not taking what wasn’t willingly given.
Erin knew that, believed it. And that fact made it that much more difficult to remain distant from a man who started to scare her. Badly. Smith was someone she could grow to love.
