“Nope”—he shook his head curtly—“you don’t apologize for something like this, Lex. Not ever.”
The intensity in Trevor’s voice had her big, blue eyes peering up into his. For a moment, they just stood there, staring at each other.
God, I wish we were alone.
“Do you have a boyfriend, Lex?” Derek asked out of nowhere, reminding Trevor they most definitely werenotalone.
Lexi’s head swung toward him, the question clearly throwing her for a loop. She wasn’t the only one.
“What the hell, D?” Trevor growled.
Derek threw his hands up defensively. “Take it easy, man.” To Lexi he said, “I only asked because I know Trevor and I would both feel better if you had someone who could be here with you when you lock up. Somebody to walk you to your car, that sort of thing.” He glanced back toward the kitchen where the young cook was watching them. “Someone over the age of twelve.”
Damn. I should have thought to ask that.Trevor relaxed his shoulders, feeling more anxious than he should while awaiting Lexi’s response.
“Oh, um...no. There’s no boyfriend,” she answered, sounding almost embarrassed by the fact. But then she grinned. “And Caleb is nineteen, not twelve.”
Releasing a breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding, Trevor prayed she couldn’t see how relieved he was to hear she was single.
Lexi continued, “But Joe almost always comes in to help with the dinner rush and stays until closing. He helps me clean up and then walks me out.”
Doing his best to sound indifferent, Trevor cleared his throat. “Joe...I’m assuming he’s the owner?”
“Yeah.” Her eyes softened. “He’s great.”
“Oh,” Derek said with recognition. “Is that the older, African-American man who helped in the kitchen the last time we were here?”
Lexi’s blue eyes shone with genuine affection. “That’s him. Joe’s a sweetheart. He’s also a former Marine. The man might be pushing sixty, but I’d still put my money on him over a guy like Rob, any day.”
“Marines are tough sons of bi—uh, I mean, they’re really tough guys.” Derek censored himself at the last minute. “Do you know if Joe’s planning on coming in tonight?”
“I’m assuming so. He usually calls if he can’t make it, and I haven’t heard from him today.”
Trevor pulled his wallet out, removing his business card. “Care if I use that?” He pointed to the pen clipped to the pocket of her canvas waist apron.
“Be my guest.” She lifted her arms out of his way.
Trevor released the pen from the apron and clicked its top with his thumb. After scribbling his personal cell number on the back, he handed her both the card and the pen.
“Here.”
“What’s this?”
“My business and personal cell numbers.”
Her brows turned inward as she studied the overly simple card. It was white with the company’s name and number typed in a simple, black font.
“R-I-S-C?” she asked, spelling out each letter in the acronym. “What’s that?
“It’s pronounced risk. And it’s where we work.” He tilted his head to include Derek.
“Okay,” she drew the word out.
Trevor took a step closer, his hushed words for her ears only. “Lexi, Derek and I work for a private security company. Personal protection is one of the things we specialize in.”
“Oh,” she said as if she understood completely, even though she clearly didn’t. Then, as if his words had just made sense, she blinked and her eyes grew wide. “Oh!Um...I appreciate your concern, Trevor. I really do. But I don’t need a...bodyguard or whatever.” She looked to Derek, then back to him. “I’m pretty sure you two scared the daylights out of Rob already. I don’t see him coming back anytime soon. If ever.”
Trevor smiled down at her. “I’m sure you’re right. And I’m not trying to get you to hire us. I just wanted you to have my numbers on the off chance that you don’t feel safe or need an escort to your car or something.”
