“You’d do that?” I asked. “I-I mean, that’s a big hassle for you, and I don’t want to impose any more than we already have...”
TJ arched a brow. “Very convincing, Brady.”
I blushed. My half-hearted attempt to dissuade him sounded weak, even to my own ears.
“Kiara, do you want to take some of your art home? Or can I keep it all?” TJ asked her.
She lit up at the suggestion. “Um... you keep it!”
TJ smiled genuinely. “Are you sure? I might even put some on the wall...”
That made her even happier. “Yeah, put it on the wall!”
He chuckled. “Done. We’ll call it Kiara’s art wall. Now you two head to the back while I grab my keys.”
Kiara’s sleepiness from two minutes ago vanished as she leapt off her chair excitedly. Apparently, she liked TJ almost as much as I did. Seeing them get along so well made me happy.
Kiara dashed to the back hallway and I followed. TJ quickly locked up and opened the back door for us, revealing a private parking lot. A couple other sedans from the neighboring shops were parked there, but I had a feeling I knew which vehicle belonged to TJ—a red BMW with a tasteful Heraldry Ink decal on the back.
“Wow,” Kiara said. “Pretty car.”
“Not as pretty as you,” TJ replied, which made her giggle. “Hop in, everyone.”
My heart flipped as I slipped into the passenger seat next to TJ. The interior of the car was pristine and exquisitely comfortable.
“Where to?” TJ asked as he set up the GPS.
“McDonalds!” Kiara cried.
Me and TJ exchanged a laugh.
“Not what he meant, sweetie,” I said.
Kiara pouted. “I know... but I want some. I’m sooo hungry.”
TJ grinned at me. “I dunno, Brady. She’s convincing.”
I checked my wallet. I had my credit card for the tattoo, but a twenty covered a Happy Meal, at least. “You’re in luck today, Kiara.”
But while Kiara celebrated in the back, TJ shot me a look. As I held my wallet, he reached over and put his hand over mine, shaking his head. The warmth of his sudden touch flustered me.
“W-what is it?” I asked.
“You’re not paying. I am,” TJ stated in a firm tone that left no space for argument.
I gawked. That was far too kind of him. I weakly shook my head. “Come on, TJ, you’ve already done so much.”
He smiled. “So what’s one more thing? I want to do nice things for you, Brady. Let me.”
Those words combined with that smile swept me off my feet. Good thing my ass was squarely planted in the leather BMW seat, because I wouldn’t trust the shakiness in my knees to keep me upright.
I want to do nice things for you, Brady.
TJ’s comment bounced around in my brain like a computer screensaver. I couldn’t recall the last time an alpha had been so kind to me, or said such sweet things. There was no slimy undercurrent, either. TJ wasn’t plying me with honeyed words to get what he wanted—it was pure, genuine compassion. I felt it deep in my soul.
Actually, I felt alotof things deep in my soul for TJ. Things that didn’t make sense to feel for a man I’d met hours prior. But he was no stranger. He felt like an old friend, someone I’d known all my life... like destiny was just waiting to put us in the same room together.
“So,” TJ said. “McDonalds first, then home?”
