She flicked an irritated glance at me as she moved to the front desk, busying herself with tidying up what didn’t need to be tidied at all.
“I don’t care if you’re volunteering your dick for the job. I’m not interested.”
Propping my hands on the front desk's counter, I leaned in close.
“I could volunteer other body parts—fingers, tongue—I’m not picky.”
Lila made a noise of disgust and turned to face me. Her dark eyes glittered, and she matched my lean until we were nearly nose to nose. The warm, sharp oranges of her perfume mingled with the caramel-sweet scent of the coffee she’d picked up on her way here.
Attagirl, sweetheart,I thought.Show me that fire.
Lila would never admit if she was struggling under the weight of what she was going through. With her dad in the hospital after a heart attack, and now this bullshit with Sweeney on top of it, she must have a lot on her mind.
Looking into her eyes now, I could see she was still standing strong.
Just as she took a breath to speak, the bell over the door jingled, announcing we weren’t alone anymore.
Hades’s ex-wife, Jenny, entered the shop in a breezy lemon-yellow sundress, and a giant floral print handbag hooked over one shoulder. Despite the loose fabric of her dress, her juicy curves were impossible to hide. It was a miracle someone hadn’t snatched up such a full-figured goddess of a woman like her yet.
I suspected Hades’s lurking presence tended to scare off any potential suitors.
“Oh, Lila, honey, how are you doing?” She swept Lila up into one of her trademark mother bear hugs, bringing a cloud of sugar cookie perfume with her. “Any news on your dad?”
“I called the hospital this morning and he’s much better,” Lila replied. “Healthy appetite, cussing out the nurses. The doctor gave him the green light to head home later today, as long as he rests. I’ll be picking him up in two hours.”
Jenny sighed with relief, pressing a hand to her chest.
“I’m so glad to hear that. I dropped off the kids with my mom for the day, so I can help with the shop as long as you need me.”
“You’re a godsend. Thank you for showing up on such short notice.”
“Hey, I can help, too,” I offered.
Lila glanced at me and flicked her hand, shooing me away.
“Go sit down. And don’t leer at my customers like a lecherous creep.”
“What if they ask for my opinion?” I countered. “Maybe they would appreciate a man’s perspective.”
“Trust me, they won’t,” Lila replied in a flat tone.
Admitting defeat, I wandered off, leaving Lila and Jenny to talk. I sprawled on the loveseat near the dressing rooms, picking up a magazine from the end table and flicking through it. I didn’t pay any attention to the underwear models on the glossy pages.
My gaze was locked on Lila.
Two hours later, Lila left the shop in Jenny’s capable hands while we headed to the hospital. Bruiser had the cage idling by the curb when we arrived.
The battered old van was rescued by the club from a wrecking yard a few years ago. We replaced the engine, gave her a new set of brakes, and a fresh coat of blue paint. She still looked rough around the edges, but she got us where we needed to go.
In the waiting room, Tarzan, Psycho, and Seven paced in restless, ambling circles. Lila hugged them all, standing on tiptoe to wrap her arms around their necks.
“I told you I had it covered,” she said. “You boys didn’t need to show up.”
Seven shrugged.
“We figured your old man is as stubborn as an ox and you’ll probably need an extra hand keeping him in line.”
“Can you bully him into eating a better diet for me? You’re the medic. He might listen to you.”
