Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
R ather than focus on Bree’s resentment of her getting the job, she left the office practically walking on cloud nine. When she walked out the front door of the high-rise office building, she came to an abrupt stop. She had forgotten to ask how much money her new job would pay.
Tempted to go back inside to ask Bree, she found herself jostled from behind. When she lurched forward, she felt a hard arm slide around her waist, holding her steady.
“Excuse me,” a male voice said, which sent tendrils of desire down her spine. She half turned to see Kent Bryant behind her. “I didn’t expect you to come to a full stop.”
A heated flush filled her face as she stared into his memorizing blue eyes. “I’m sorry. I remembered something I forgot.”
Kent released her from his hold, thankfully giving her some breathing room. The effect this man had on her was nerve-racking. How did this man have this weird effect on her each time he was around her? Maybe because she always managed to make herself look like an idiot in front of him.
She felt the redness in her face flame higher at the memory of the last time she had seen him.
“I would have been able to stop in time if I wasn’t trying to catch up with you.”
Unable to meet his gaze as she kept thinking of him seeing her topless, she started inching to the side, in the direction of the parking garage, until it dawned on her what he was saying.
“Why were you trying to catch up to me?”
“Garrett told me he hired you to be the new record chief. I wanted to congratulate you.”
“Thank you.”
That he didn’t recognize her sent a surge of relief through her. Unconsciously, her tenseness eased, allowing a joyful smile to spread on her face.
“I’m going to miss Glenda, but she says you’re perfect for the job.”
“I’m going to miss her, too,” she stated, looking at him closely. She thought she was the only one who got along with Glenda. That he was going to miss her, too, showed he hadn’t been taken in by her unapproachable demeanor. “I think we’ll be the only two.”
Kent’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “I have to admit she took some getting used to, but I couldn’t fault her for being standoffish.” He nodded toward the building behind them. “Everyone in there has probably tried to take advantage of her at one time or another in the position she holds.”
Sage grimaced; she had the same thoughts. Glenda would rather be hated versus having twenty friends constantly asking for favors.
“I think so, too.”
“I was on my way to grab a bite to eat,” he began. “I’ve been stuck in a meeting all morning, then had to answer some emails. How about I buy you a drink to celebrate?”
Thinking he was about to excuse himself to leave, she was surprised at the invitation. She prepared to refuse but found herself accepting instead.
“I’d like that.”
Had she lost her ever-loving mind?
She was about to change her answer and opened her dumbstruck mouth, only to find it closing again at his happy expression.
“Thank God,” he said, taking her by the arm to start moving them to the sidewalk. “I hate eating alone.”
Balking, she started to move away from him. “I actually really should be going …”
Kent sent her a companiable smile. “Too late. You already agreed. Don’t worry; I eat fast.”
Finding herself laughing, she stopped trying to pull away.
“What time do you have to be back at the office?” he asked.
“I’m off for the rest of the day.”
He made a comical face at her. “Lucky you. I wish I were.” Walking slowly by her side, he loosened his tie. “My day has been a bitch. When I got back to my office after the meeting, it seemed like every client I’m representing called and wanted me to call them back.”
She spared him a curious glance as they walked. “You didn’t want to eat in your office and call them back?”
“Are you kidding me? I want to enjoy my lunch, not deal with indigestion.”
Her laughter was cut short when his footsteps slowed at the restaurant Livvy had bullied her to go to. Her steps faltered when Kent opened the door.
“Is there somewhere else we could go?”
His eyes widened in curiosity. “You don’t like Flannigan’s?”
There was no way she was going to tell him about the nightmare lunch she had with Livvy and the other women. Instead, she told him a half-truth. “It’s too stuffy in there for me.”
“Stuffy?”
“I prefer somewhere more relaxed,” she replied, hoping she wasn’t offending him.
He grinned at her. “You’re my type of woman. There’s a place right around the corner.” He resumed walking and took her arm again. “Have you been to Riley’s?”
“No,” she answered, liking the feel of his hand on her arm. Strangely, he made her feel protected as he navigated her through the busy foot traffic on the sidewalk.
Kent had slowed his stride to match hers, placing her on his right so those going in the other direction had to walk by him instead of her.
“I think you’ll like it, though it’s more of a walk.”
“I don’t mind. I could use the walk. Do you go there often?”
“Depends on who I’m with. If I want to impress someone, I take them to Flannigan’s. I hit Riley’s when I’m in the mood for good wings and a cold beer. It’s as far from stuffy as you can get.”
“Now, that sounds like my kind of place.”
Feeling his steps slow, she spotted the restaurant just a few steps away. She had driven past the bar and grill on her drive home but had never gone inside.
Her lips curled into a smile of approval as a waitress led them through the tiny space. Most of the customers were dressed in casual clothing as they stood at the large bar, which took up most of the space.
Taking the paper menu from the waitress once they were seated at the small table, she finally felt the last of the tension Bree caused ease off her shoulders.
“What can I get you to drink?” the waitress asked, as if she were anxious to hurry away.
“I’ll take whatever you have on tap that’s ice cold,” she ordered.
“I’ll take the same.” Kent sent her a glance of approval as the waitress left.
Hooking her purse on the side of her chair, she looked back at him to find him staring at her quizzically.
“You’re surprised I ordered a beer?”
“I thought you would order a margarita or some other girly drink,” he admitted.
She made a face at him. “I hate tequila. I’d rather have a cold beer than anything.” Interestedly, she stared around the restaurant. “My dad used to make his own. I was his taste tester. My mother and sister wouldn’t drink it if they had a gun pointed at them.”
“It sounds like you and your father are close.”
She turned her attention back to him. “We were.” Sadness filled her as she thought of those precious moments she had spent with her father. “Before he died.”
“I’m sorry.” Sympathetically, his hand covered hers lying on the table.
“Thank you. He passed away several years ago. At first, I couldn’t bring myself to drink a beer. Then my mother told me the last thing my dad would want was me not drinking one because I missed him.”
“Sounds like your mother is a wise woman.”
“Yes, she was.”
Kent closed his eyes tightly in a grimace then opened them warily. “I’m not going to mention any more of your family members. I keep putting my foot in my mouth.”
“It’s all right. I’ve learned to deal with my losses.”
“I don’t think any of us ever get over the loss of a loved one.”
“Very true.”
His kindness, and the comforting way he was looking at her, sent a warm glow through her body.
After her father had died, she had to soldier on to make everything easier for her mother and Glory.
When her mother had died, she had borne the grief alone, while Glory had Denny to lean on.
When Denny had died, all the reasonability fell on her shoulders to help Glory.
In each instance, she had buried her feelings, afraid if she loosened her barrier, she would break.
Being here with Kent, and the way he was looking her, blunted some of the ice she had encased herself in. Being with him was like walking out a door, wearing winter clothes, to find spring had arrived.
You’re being silly, Sage , she told herself. He’s just offering you a congratulatory drink. You’re making a mountain out of a molehill . Still, she didn’t move her hand away until the waitress returned with their beers.
He watched as she took a drink. “What do you think?”
“Not bad.”
Kent chuckled then took a sip of his own. The busy waitress looked as if she couldn’t care less.
“Bring us a wing sampler, Haley.”
“Sure thing.”
She was already speeding away, and Sage admired how she managed to carry the huge tray of drinks without spilling any.
“If I tried that, they would be on the floor.” She surveyed the busy bar while taking another drink of her beer. “I had no idea this place was so popular.”
“It’s happy hour. Buy one beer, get one free, and wings are half-price,” he informed her.
“Ahh … that explains it.” She raised the beer to salute him. “It certainly makes me happy,” she joked.
Kent raised his beer in return to salute her back. “I’m pretty damn happy myself.”
Sage paused with the beer halfway to her mouth.
Explicitly, a warning chill went down her spine.
Why was something telling her his reason for being happy wasn’t the same as hers?
The warm, fuzzy feeling she had been feeling in his presence turned lukewarm.
The prices at the bar might be happy hour, but falling for Kent Bryant might be more than her heart could afford.