“Expectations like what?”
“Like I should be married by now and popping out grandbabies. They even talked me into working at my dad’s law firm so they could keep closer tabs on me. I wanted to start my own business, but they wouldn’t hear of it.” Talking to him was too easy. I hadn’t been able to unload on anyone else without feeling incredibly guilty.
“What kind of business?”
“It’s silly.”
He reached out and took my hand. “Tell me.”
The gentle encouragement in his tone had me spilling my dreams. I told him about the pet store I wanted to open—one that offered over-the-top accessories for pampered pooches and probably kitty cats too.
“And they didn’t want you to come to the concert?”
I shook my head. “They don’t get it. Their idea of the perfect musical performance is flying to New York to see the Philharmonic. I’d rather rock out to the music I grew up on. Bands like Soul Obsession. The music takes me back to a time when things weren’t so complicated, you know?”
Nodding, he pulled another kolache out of the bag. “Yeah. My dad used to be in a band. At least that’s what my foster mom told me. They played classic rock covers. The Who, The Rolling Stones, some Zeppelin and other stuff like that. It’s how I got my name. Jimi Hendrix was one of his favorites.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever heard a Jimi Hendrix song.” We were from two completely different worlds. It was obvious right down to the music we’d grown up on.
“We’ll have to change that ASAP.” He held out the kolache to me. “Last one. You want it?”
“No thank you. I’m meeting up with a few of my girlfriends for brunch. I don’t want to ruin my appetite any more than I have already.”
He opened his mouth to bite into the pastry then shot me a quick glance. “Are you taking Growler with you?”
“I was planning on it.” My stomach twisted with worry. “Do you think he won’t be allowed inside?”
“Didn’t matter at that dive bar last night, but why don’t you let me take him to work with me today?” Hendrix tore off another bite of bun and held it out to Growler who cautiously nibbled at it.
“Do you really want to puppy sit again?” Hendrix didn’t look like the kind of guy who’d offer to watch a stranger’s puppy dog while she brunched with her girlfriends. He also didn’t look like a man who was used to keeping to his side of the bed or picking up coffee and pastries for a woman he’d just met. I hadn’t quite figured him out yet, but the more time we spent together, the more I wanted to know.
He picked up Growler and cradled the little dog in his arms. “I think he’s growing on me.”
Seeing him standing there, muscles bulging under his tight tee while he held my dog, made me think of all those super sexy firemen and puppy calendars I used to ogle over when I was younger.
“What do you think, Daisy? Can I borrow the little guy for the day?”
“If you’re sure you don’t mind.”
“Why would I mind? Besides, that will give me a reason to see you again.”
My heart lodged in my throat. I didn’t want to break the magic of the moment by saying something that would ruin it. So instead, I rummaged through my suitcase and grabbed the items I needed to get cleaned up.
“I’m going to jump into the shower, unless you need it first?”
“Go ahead. I’ll get cleaned up when I get back from checking the set up.”
Nodding, I turned around and sought refuge in the bathroom before I said or did something I’d regret.
5
HENDRIX
Iwas in deep. I suspected it the second I set eyes on the curvy blonde, but now that I’d spent time with her and gotten to know her a little bit better, I knew for sure. She was everything I could ever want in a woman: smart, sexy, funny, kind, gorgeous, curvy, and sweeter than Mama Mae’s homemade pecan pie.
The problem was, I wasn’t looking for a woman. Even if I was, Daisy was out of my league. In the past I’d been more than willing when a high-class dame like her wanted to go slumming for a night or two, but I’d gone into those situations with my eyes—and my pants—wide open. Daisy wasn’t like that.
She claimed to be just as unlucky as me, but she didn’t act like she’d been cursed. I’d spent my whole life feeling like I was balancing a heavy weight on my shoulders. Every time I tried to toss it off, it seemed like the weight increased. Based on what she’d shared, Daisy seemed to be on the receiving end of the same kind of bad luck, but she shrugged it off instead of letting it bury her alive.
