“He’s not being nice out of the kindness of his heart. He wants in your pants, Annie.”
I shoot him an affronted look. “He does not.”
“He does.” His fingers clench the steering wheel.
I love that he defended me, but I’m already starting on not so good terms. “I hope you didn’t piss him off so much that I get in trouble and lose my job.”
“Trust me, that’s not gonna happen.”
“What do you mean?”
“Annie. What just happened won’t be an issue for you, all right? He’s my problem now, just trust that I’ll take care of it.”
I do trust him, so I let it go.
A song by Andi Adams comes on the radio, and he twists the volume knob with such force I’m surprised it doesn’t break.
I lift a brow. “Not an Andi Adams fan?”
“Not even a little bit.”
“Why?”
“She tore Parker to shreds when she left him.”
Eek. “Oh wow. What happened?”
“They were high school sweethearts, had plans for the future and everything. One day he comes home to find her, and all her shit, packed. She tells him she’s going to Nashville for bigger and better things, then left him.”
My heart breaks for Parker. “Oh my God, that’s awful.”
“Yeah, so he’s a little sensitive about that.”
“I don’t blame him.”
He holds my hand and asks me about my day, and when I tell him, he actually listens. He engages in the conversation, isinquisitive about the details, it’s plain as day that he just cares. I don’t know how I got so lucky.
When we turn onto Meridian, I have to ask, “Do you think we really need to be worried about Tara? Couldn’t this have been just a one-time thing?”
“She’s becoming unpredictable, so yes.” He scans the area as he turns the corner and parks in the alley. “Fitz found her cell pinging at her parent’s house. I paid them a visit today, but they swear they don’t know where she is. They probably shipped her off somewhere until this blows over, but I promise I won’t let it. Once I get confirmation of her whereabouts I might let up a little, but until then I won’t underestimate her.”
“I don’t want you wasting all your time on this, though.”
“Protecting you is the most important job I’ll ever have, sweetheart.” He draws my hand closer and kisses my knuckles. “And I don’t care if it takes forever, because every second I spend keeping you safe is another moment I have with you.”
He helps me out of his Jeep and has his hand lightly on my back as he guides me toward the back door. When we get inside, I stop. “Can we go to the bar?”
“No.”
“Come on, Ben. Tara isn’t gonna walk into a crowded bar and drag me out by my hair.”
He looks at his watch and tips his head. “Fine. But just for a little bit.”
“Thank you.” I push open the door that leads to Somedays. When I reach the mouth of the hallway, I’m glad to see Kit behind the bar and a few stools open. “Hi.” I hop up and do that stupid wave thing I can’t seem to break.
“Hey, Annie. And hi to you, too, boss.”
Ben takes the seat next to me, but he turns so he’s mostly facing out. “Hey, Kit.”
