Freckles.
She had her dark hair up in a ponytail. A second look at her body showed a slender, athletic frame with a nice set of breasts he noticed when her jacket parted.
How was it that everything about her was just his type?
She eyed his groin. And not in a good way. He took a step back, seeing the threat there. “Now hold on. Notice the cat has calmed down. I was holding her by the scruff of her neck to relax her and also had a hand under her legs for support. She’s fine. And she’s pregnant. There are a few other cats hiding by those pallets against the building.” He nodded behind him.
Marlie frowned but seemed to ease up. She took a few animal crates out of the back of her vehicle, and he gently deposited the now purring cat into one of them.
Without speaking, they worked together to rescue several others. Mostly younger kittens, but they found a few mature cats as well.
“What are you doing here?” he had to know.
“I could ask you the same,” she said as she shut the back doors of the van. Then she glanced down at his knuckles and saw the blood there.
He flushed, feeling awkward again around pretty Marlie. “Ah, it’s not my fault. I came down here for a drink after dealing with my parents…” Hmm. That sounded anti-family. “I mean, I’m helping my parents recover from an accident, and I just wanted a break.”
She blinked. “At ten a.m. at the bar half the town calls Stabby’s?”
He nodded, knowing it had been aptly named. “I used to work here a long time ago, back when I was in high school. Figured I’d sit on the other side of the bar this time.”
“How’d you work at a bar in high school?”
“Cleaning up. The law didn’t pay much attention to this side of town back then. Anyway, I got into a little dustup with a customer inside. After I tossed his ass out, I noticed the cats by the dumpster.”
Her features smoothed, and she looked him over. “What’s your name again?”
Why did her not remembering him endear her to him even more? Maybe Cade was right. I am a moron.
“Damon,” they said at the same time.
Her slow smile showed off a dimple on her cheek. “I just remembered.”
“I’m flattered.”
“You should be. I’m horrible with names.”
They stared at each other until she turned to leave.
“Wait.” He walked to her, conscious of taking it easy on his knee. His physical therapy had been helping, but unfortunately, rest was key to his recovery. The downtime about killed him. “So, ah, you don’t want to date. I got that loud and clear last night.”
“Yeah.” She frowned up at him.
“But could I just get to know you? Share a coffee or something? I’ve got some time to kill before I head home. And honestly, I need the break from my parents.”
Not a lie. They drove him batty.
She shrugged. “I guess. I need to take these guys back to the vet’s office first.”
“Cool. I’ll follow you. Um, I did call Hope’s Turn Veterinary, didn’t I?” There had been another clinic with Hope’s Turn in the title as well.
“Oh. You called this in?”
He nodded, and she rattled off the address.
He followed her, not surprised she had a heavy foot on the accelerator. The woman had energy to spare. He liked that about her. Hell, he liked everything about her. Her sass, her looks, her strength.
The fact she couldn’t remember his name.
