Page 360 of The Trouble With Bad Boys

“There’s a fold-up table in the office. We can put them there. That will keep them out of the way, and if I’m lucky, there will be doughnuts left over at the end of the day.”

I try not to stare as he walks toward the office, but it’s nearly impossible to keep my eyes off him. The way his body seems to move so effortlessly, eating up the distance across the room. His pants fitting loose, and his shirt stretched tight across his shoulders and back, leave no question to what is beneath.

“Don’t get caught watching him, or your dad will kick him out faster than you can blink.”

“You’re probably right.” I tip my head to the side, looking up at Hayes.

“How are you holding up? I haven’t talked to you much since you moved back to town.” With one last look at Hendrix, I turn so I can no longer see him. Less distracting that way. I’ve known Hayes for a few years now; he joined the team shortly before I moved away to be closer to my ex.

“I’m doing good, just ready to get this place open. I’m hoping once we get the painting done, I can install the mirrors and get the floors refinished. Then I’ll be ready to go. I started enrolling students already, and it looks like I’ll have a few full classes. I can’t wait.” I know I must look a little silly with the massive smile covering my face, but I can’t help it. After your life falls apart the way mine did, I deserve to be happy, and opening a dance studio is going to make me happier than I think I have ever been.

“I’m glad things are working out for you after all you’ve been through.” He squeezes my shoulder, “whatever is going on with you and Hendrix, be careful.” I watch as he heads over to where the others are, grabbing a roller, and moving to another part of the room to start painting.

Over the next couple of hours, the seven of us paint, taking a few breaks to grab a bite to eat and have another cup of coffee or a bottle of water. When the room is finally done and all of the supplies are cleaned up, I hold the door open for the guys, thanking them as they leave.

“Don’t be too late, I have a guy I want you to meet. He’s really nice.” I roll my eyes and push my dad gently out the door. I shake my head at the laughter that follows him out, not sure if he’s laughing because he was kidding or because he knows these blind dates he’s trying to set me up with are driving me crazy.

“No! I refuse to let you hook me up anymore. Your choices of men for me suck!”

“They do not. Just give him a chance.”

I shake my head and wave him off, watching as he hops in his truck and leaves. When Hendrix comes out, I lock up, then head to my car. I climb in and roll down my windows, letting out the stale air from the heated car.

“Hey.”

I lean my head against the back of my seat and turn toward the window, meeting Hendrix’s gaze hidden behind his dark sunglasses. I wish he weren’t wearing them. I prefer the unobstructed view of his eyes; I like the way they linger on me.

“Hey.” Brilliant response, Harlow.

“You have plans tonight?”

My heart skids to a stop and then picks up at a much faster pace. “I do. They involve me going home and not moving until tomorrow.”

Hendrix nods, his gaze locked on something above my car. “Let me make you dinner.”

A laugh, quick and loud, shoots out of my mouth. Clearly, I misheard him. He can’t want to spend more time with me after already being with around me all day. “What?”

“Why don’t you let me make you dinner? It’s the least you can do after I helped you paint all day.”

“That doesn’t even make sense. I should be the one making you dinner.”

“You’re right, you should, but since I’d already planned on making a very fancy and complicated meal, maybe you could come to my house and let me do the cooking.”

My stomach flips at the thought of spending more time alone with this man. I want to say no for the simple fact that I know I can’t be trusted around him. What if I do something stupid? But if I say no, Ashtyn will probably have me committed for losing my mind and not accepting an invitation from a man as attractive and fun to be around as Hendrix is.

“Are you sure?”

“Well, I was, but your hesitation has me a little nervous, and I’m wondering if I’m making a huge mistake by extending the invitation.”

“Do you mind if I go home and get cleaned up first?” I wrap my hands around the steering wheel, because if I don’t, I’m afraid I’ll try to touch him when he leans down closer to the open window.

“That’s fine, take your time.” His long, tanned arm reaches through the window, grabbing my phone off the dash where I set it down when I got in the car. He holds the phone out to me so I can unlock it and then puts his number in before sending a text to himself. “I’ll text you the address. Let me know when you’re headed my way.”

With a quick tap on the door, he turns and jogs back toward his truck. I swear I try not to watch him as he goes, but there is something about him that demands attention, and not in a cocky or obnoxious way. When he looks over his shoulder at me and smirks, I know I’ve been caught staring at him.

Six

HENDRIX

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