“Lindsey? Yeah. We met at a professional women’s symposium. She was giving a talk on women in STEM. Attended by women. Not the audience who should have attended. I think women in STEM already know about all the roadblocks ahead of them. But Lindsey was funny, so I talked to her afterward. We hit it off. Not surprising since I’m an awesome judge of character.”
Tink grinned and was once again reminded of how similar Abby and Angie were. If he had to guess, Abby was probably as ridiculously smart as Angie.
“Anyway. You want me to find out more about her? I can get her number for you if you want.”
“I don’t need you hacking women’s numbers to get a date,” he said.
“That would imply you date,” Dani said.
“I date.”
“Uh, no. You fuck around for a few weeks and then move on.”
“And?”
“That’s literally the definition of not dating,” Dani said. “The only one worse than you is Sleazy.”
“Every woman I get involved with understands it’s a benefits-only situation. I can’t believe you compared me to Turner.” That dude was the walking definition of man-whore.
He glanced at the large digital clock on the far wall. “I gotta go. We got a meeting about our ride to the school tomorrow.”
“Can I go with you tomorrow?” Angie asked.
“Melanie’s riding with me, but if you can find someone else to ride with, sure.”
“I’ll go,” Dani said. “You can ride with me.”
Ange clapped her hands. “Yay. Want me to find out about Abby?”
“I don’t want you to go looking for info, but if you happen to talk to her friend and she comes up in conversation, maybe find out if she’s single.” He would figure out the rest from there.
Angie stood, joined Dani and leaned close. “Tinker and Abby, sitting in a tree.”
He pivoted and rushed Angie, throwing her over his shoulder. She shrieked and threw her weight forward, forcing Tink to twist and grapple with her legs so she wouldn’t land on her head.
“Hi-yah!” Dani tackled him and took him and Angie to the floor in a tangle of limbs—he wasn’t sure what was his or theirs until one of them landed an unlucky knee to the inside of his thigh.
Fuck. He should have known better.
Ride to School
“I’m going to drive ahead,” Becky said. “I’ll be waiting at the school when you arrive so I can take pictures, okay?”
“Okay,” Melanie said.
Tinker watched as Becky fussed with Melanie’s braid and made sure her thick hoodie was zipped all the way up. She was avoiding looking at him. He could live with her embarrassment. He didn’t want to shame her, but if it kept her from making another pass at him, he’d take it.
“You ready?” he asked Melanie.
She smiled wide. “Yes!”
He grinned. He was happy to see her smiling. She was a strong kid, and he hoped being physically abused by her mom’s ex wouldn’t leave deep, lasting damage.
“Hang on—I forgot something.” Opening his saddlebag, he pulled out a small vest and turned it so she could see the patch on the back. “I think this is yours.”
The vest was a miniature version of the Tarnished Knights logo, but instead of Ned on the back, it was a gold suit of armor and read Knight’s Squire.
Melanie’s mouth opened in slow motion right before she let out a high-pitched shriek and danced from foot to foot.
