“I’m looking for Lacey Cherish. Is she around?”
His voice vibrated through me, the deep baritone rumbling from my toes to the tips of my curls. I shook my head. “She’s at the office. Are you looking for a place for an event?”
“Something like that.” He grinned, and the corners of his eyes crinkled.
Good Lord, was that a hint of a dimple peeking out at me from his left cheek? I’d been lost in those eyes, but when he smiled, his lips quirking up into a grin, my insides churned. Who was he?
“I could show you around if you’d like.” I tilted my head, inviting him to step into the foyer.
“Thanks, but I’m mostly interested in the warehouse. Do you know if she ever rents that out?”
“The warehouse?” What kind of event would he want to hold in the warehouse? “I don’t know, but I can give you one of her cards.”
“That would be great.”
“Here you go.” As I handed him the card, my fingers brushed his. My whole arm quivered. I shook it off, uncomfortable with the sensation. He was probably a groom, checking out the place for his upcoming wedding. No need to get my panties in a wad over some stranger. Especially one who was off the market.
“Thanks.” He glanced to the card, then back to me. “You look familiar. Do I know you?”
“No. I’m sure I’d remember.” The words spilled out before I had a chance to shut myself up. As I tried to compose myself, I thrust my hand at him. “Zina Baxter. I’m one of Lacey’s friends.”
“Baxter . . .” His hand curled around mine. Tingles shot up my arm. “You’re Zeb’s little sister, aren’t you?”
“You know my brother?” Who was this guy? And how did he know my older brother? Zeb hadn’t gotten out much since he returned from his tour of duty a couple of years ago.
“Yeah. I played against him and Lacey’s brother, Luke, a few times on the football field. He had talent. I was surprised he didn’t make it to the pros.”
Yes, Zeb had talent. He also had a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas and felt like he needed to prove something. That’s why he’d joined the Marines.
“Things don’t always turn out the way we hope.” My heart twisted a bit as I considered the future my brother might have had if he’d made a different choice. I probably wouldn’t be standing here talking to this cool drink of water if my brother had gone to college. I wouldn’t have had to take an early hardship discharge from the Army and would probably still be training dogs for the military.
No need to revisit the coulda, woulda, shouldas of my past. I refocused my attention on the man in front of me.
“You didn’t tell me your name.” I eyed him with newfound curiosity.
“Sorry about that. Alex Sanders.”
“And that’s your fiancée?” I peered past him to the woman standing by the truck.
Alex laughed, a deep rumble of laughter that made my toes curl. And my toes didn’t curl easily.
He hooked a thumb and gestured to the truck. “That’s my sister. I grew up over in Swynton. Just got back into town, and we’re on our way home from the airport.”
“So what do you want with Lacey?” My internal radar switched on high alert, and I tried to feel out his intentions.
“I’ve got a proposition for her. Do you know if she’s currently using the warehouse for anything?” He stepped back and turned to face the direction of the warehouse. A line of tall trees obstructed it from view.
“Just for storage right now. You have something you need to store?” Or something you need to hide? I thought to myself.
“Maybe.” He slid the business card into the back pocket of his jeans. “I’ll give her a call. It was nice to meet you, Zina.”
I didn’t like the way he said my name, the way he rolled the syllables over his tongue, drawing it out in his native Texas drawl. Didn’t like the way it made my stomach clench or my cheeks heat. Didn’t like it one bit.
“Have a good day.”
“Be sure and tell your brother I said hello.”
I nodded, forcing a smile. I’d do no such thing. Not until I found out what Alex Sanders wanted with Lacey. He turned and made his way down the front steps, his shoulders rolling, making my insides twist and turn around themselves like a piece of licorice candy. As he and his sister stepped on the running boards and got into the truck, I reached for my phone. Lacey would strangle me if I didn’t give her a heads-up that the sex on a stick I’d just met was going to be giving her a call.
