here
on time. Something about a dinner date?”
“Who told you that?” she asked in a
hushed whisper.
“Nick’s brother, the one who was in
here earlier. He asked me to make sure you got out of here on time. He didn’t
want you to be rushed getting ready.”
“That cocky son of a––”
“Yep, he was that. Better not keep
him waiting. In fact, why don’t you head out now? I’ll close up tonight.”
“Is that your way of saying you
approve of him?”
“Joe asked me to look out for you,
and that’s what I’m doing. There’s more to life than working. If you want me to
approve of him, then come back here tomorrow with a smile on your face. That
would be a good start.”
“It’s just dinner, Tom. He’s looking for a
place to live, and I’m considering renting the lower suite to him. Dinner is
probably his way of trying to get me to lower the rent.”
Tom just rolled his eyes and
pointed back toward her office. “Get your things and go, girl. You’re
officially off the clock.”
“You’d think you ran this place the
way you boss me around,” she grumbled, already
moving. She wouldn’t mind having a few extra minutes to clean up and get ready
before seeing Tag again. Maybe it was a real date, and maybe it wasn’t, but she’d
feel better after a shower and a change of clothes. She might not be able to
shed twenty pounds before dinner, but she could at least ditch the
grease-stained jeans and baggy shirt for something a little more flattering.
Just in case this actually was a real
date.
Her heart beat a little faster at
the possibility.
Chapter Three
Tag knew he’d rent the suite the
moment he stepped inside. Hell, he would’ve rented it no matter what the
condition, so long as he could afford it. He was a man with limited time and
fewer options. As it turned out, the place was perfect.
Just like his soon-to-be landlord.
Jolena was waiting on the front stairs when he’d walked up, looking very different
from the woman he’d met that afternoon. Her dark red curls still tumbled around
her face, but she’d changed into a cream-colored blouse that showed just enough
of her cleavage to make him want to see more, and her jeans and steel-toed
boots had been exchanged for a pair of black slacks and high-heeled shoes that
made her stand a few inches taller.
She seemed to be pleased to see
him, but the moment they’d exchanged greetings she had started talking about
the suite. He could tell that she was nervous. If he was going to be honest
with himself, he was too. It occurred to him on the drive over that it had been
a long time since he’d actually taken a woman out on a proper date. Years, in fact. Hook ups and casual affairs didn’t require
that kind of effort, and that was all he’d been doing for the last few years.
Jolena had shown him around the property and then taken him to the entrance to the
suite, which was tucked in under the front stairs. She had filled the brief
tour with information about what the rent would be, what utilities were
included and other small talk.
The suite itself was far nicer than
he’d expected. The interior walls were painted a neutral white that helped
brighten up the space, and the laminate wood flooring looked brand new. It was
big enough to fit all his furniture without having any wasted space, with a large window at the
front that would let in plenty of daylight.
They had walked from room to room,
and by the time they were done there was no doubt in Tag’s mind. “I’ll take it.
If you have the paperwork ready, we could go over it at dinner and then I’ll sign
on the dotted line.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m very sure. This is a great
suite. I’ve got my current landlord’s information if you want to call him up
and ask him what kind of tenant I am. And I’m betting you already talked to
Nicky.” He dug into the front pocket of her jacket, pulled out the scrap of
paper he’d scribbled the info on, and offered it to
Rebecca Hamilton, Conner Kressley