“You’ll be there, so yeah. I mean, I have no idea what I’m doing, but I’m good at figuring things out.”
“Then hell, I’ll love it if you want to help out.”
“I have a tutoring session this morning with one of the guys after I drop Star off at school, so I won’t be able to make it until about eleven.”
“That works for me.”
“Do I need to wear anything specific?”
“Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. But most people lean toward workout clothes or sweats.”
“Okay, I’ll see you there later then.”
I wink and head out with a smile on my face. My day is suddenly looking up.
* * *
When she turns up later, she’s a damn sight for sore eyes. After the morning I’ve had, she is just what the doctor ordered. I take her in, slowly letting my eyes move over her—from the tip of her running shoes, up her black joggers, to the white tank top she’s wearing. She’s not wearing any makeup like most of the women do, and her hair is up in a ponytail, with a few strands already escaping from its holder.
“Hey, how was tutoring?”
“Tiring. I’d rather have run laps with Amity than have Havoc try to teach me math. To be fair to the man, he has the patience of a saint, which is just as well because I struggled to grasp even the basics.” She sighs.
“You’re mostly starting from scratch. Stop being so hard on yourself. If this were easy, then nobody would ever have to go to school.”
She nods reluctantly. “I have G teaching me some basic computing skills next. But man, I wish he could just put one of those dongle thingies in my brain and download all the information into it for me.”
I chuckle, wrapping my hand around the back of her neck and drawing her in. “I think a lot of people would agree with you there.” I kiss her. Though I intended for it to be a peck, it quickly develops into something else. I’m two seconds away from stripping her naked when a throat clearing snaps me back to the present.
I pull away, leaving Citi looking dazed, as I turn to an amused-looking Con. “You want something?”
He holds his hands up in surrender. “By all means, eat her face off in the reception area. It’s not like you have an audience or anything.”
Citi snaps out of her daze and glances around nervously.
“Alright, people, nothing to see here,” I growl, making people hurry away. “Sorry about that. You’re just too damn irresistible.”
She flushes, but her eyes fall on a figure behind me. I sigh, not needing to turn around to know who it is.
“You need something, Con?”
“Just wanted to say hey.”
I move aside so I can face him, but his eyes are on Citi. “We’ve met, but it was only briefly. And when I’m on princess duty, I usually do it from afar. I just wanted to introduce myself again and give you my number so you can call me if you need me to pick up Star, need a babysitter, or if you need me to run an errand, such as a food run or even a tampon run. Whatever you need.” He hands her a business card, which has me rolling my eyes. The man’s only business seems to be getting adopted by the old ladies.
“Oh, thanks. That’s kind of you.”
“It’s what this world needs a little more of, right?” He grins at her, and I feel her relax against me. I swear this kid has some kind of voodoo when it comes to women. If I could figure out what it was and bottle it, I’d make a killing.
“Absolutely. It’s what I tell my daughter daily.”
“She’s adorable, by the way. Reminds me of my niece.”
“I didn’t know you had a niece.” I frown, wondering if that’s true or if I just forgot.
He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Nieces, nephews, a whole slew of them. Anyway, I’d better get going, I’m on bar duty later. Nice to see you again, Citi.”
“You too…” She drifts off, making Con slap his forehead.
