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His grin widens. “Oh, young grasshopper, I have so much to teach you.”

That brings another smile to my face. Who needs Dr. Curtis when you have Dr. Noah?

CHAPTER 14

ANDIE

I arrive home from work later than usual and know Noah will already be asleep. I’m a little disappointed I can’t ask him how his first lesson with Mitch went. I’m even more disappointed—and annoyed with myself—for being bummed that I missed seeing the giant brute today. Don’t get me wrong, the guy has issues, and I’m totally not into him. But I can still enjoy the view, the same way I’d enjoy looking at a pretty waterfall, or a great book cover.

But when I made my schedule a month ago, I’d forgotten about Noah’s birthday. Huge sister fail. I’d been trying for weeks to find someone who could switch days with me, and this was my chance. Sara didn’t mind working for me next week if I covered for her today. Now I just need to find something special to do for Noah’s birthday. Maybe I’ll finally use those D.C. Eagles season tickets my Dad got.

When I open the front door, Ronda is standing in the entryway, her arms crossed, her right foot tapping on the laminate flooring, and her stare drilling into me.

“Why do I feel like I’m about to be grounded?” I ask, screeching to a halt the moment the door closes behind me.

“You never mentioned that Mitch ‘The Machine’ Anderson was the guy working with Noah.”

“I didn’t know it was a big deal?”

“Mhmm. Mitch is awfully young and awfully handsome.”

“Ronda, Ronda” I say in an innocent tone. “I mean, he seems a little young for you… but get it, girl.”

She narrows her eyes. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

Sighing, I slide off my sneakers and walk past her down the hallway and into the kitchen. She trails right behind me, arms still crossed, I'm sure. I open the fridge and pull out a container of leftover chinese takeout.

“When I told you you needed to go on a date, I didn’t mean with a roguish professional athlete whose temper could rival the god of the underworld.”

I pop the Chinese into the microwave to warm it up then turn to look at Ronda. I was right, her arms are still crossed. “Hades?” I laugh. “I’m not dating him, Ronda, I don’t even like the guy. I’ll admit… he’s easy on the eyes,” I offer, opening the silverware drawer and taking out a fork. “But I’m not interested in him. He never even smiles!”

Ronda’s eyebrow quirks. She looks unconvinced.

I roll my eyes. “He has time at the moment to help Noah. That’s it.” I shrug just as the microwave beeps, giving me an excuse to turn away from Ronda’s intense stare.

She heaves a heavy sigh as I remove my food from the microwave and stick my fork inside the container. “Alright, whatever you say. Just…” She pauses and I turn back to look at her. Her expression conveys her concern. “Just be careful with your heart, okay?”

Trying to lighten the mood, I tease, “What happened to Miss ‘when’s the last time you took a man to bed?’”

She smirks and steps forward to pat my shoulder. “You can’t take just anyone to bed, sweetheart.”

“So no hot, tattooed, muscular athletes? Just double checking the rules here.”

She laughs. “How about a nice, clean-skinned, boy-next-door type instead?”

“Boooooooring.”

She throws her hands up in defeat. “You’re impossible.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not into broody-angry guys.” I take a bite of rice and talk with my mouth full, too hungry to care. “But if you find any hot, muscular, nice guys, let me know. Preferably ones with tattoos.”

“I’m gonna head out. You behave yourself.” She waves me off, then walks down the hallway to let herself out the front door.

I yell, “Well-behaved women rarely make history, Ronda. Or get to ride off into the sunset with a hot, inked manly man!”

“I’m ignoring you!” she yells back, then I hear the click of the door.

Chuckling, I finish my Chinese leftovers then head upstairs, shower, throw on my rattiest tee shirt, and finally fall into bed.