Page 17 of Love Her

Looking up, I drop the file, time standing still. The only sound I hear is blood rushing through my veins. My heartbeat echoing in my ears.

“You plannin’ to stare at my ass all night, Cowboy?”

“Not a cowboy.”

“But you’re plannin’ to stare at my ass?”

“It’s a fine ass.”

Not since I walked into that Introduction to Statistics class has a man taken my breath away. I felt him watching me. His eyes burning holes into my shorts and tank. His gaze drawing me to him. I tried to ignore him. Man, did I try. I failed. Then and now.

The sound of the file hitting the desk draws his attention. His eyes widen at the sight of me. A slow grin gracing his perfect lips. Gosh those lips. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t thought of them the last few weeks.

“Hi.” It’s one word. Two simple letters. Yes, my heart skips and my mind swirls as he speaks with a deep timber, just a hint of gravel like he hasn’t spoken all morning.

“Connor Hall, this is my new guardian angel, Lis. Lis, this is Connor. He’s a mess and thinks he’s Superman so we have to baby him a bit.”

“Nice to meet you, Connor.” I feel the heat on my cheeks as the words flow between us. His smile, the one that drew me to him across the dance floor at Doris’s Tavern has the same effect on me today as it did weeks ago. I lose all sense. It’s gone. I’m just a puddle of my former self.

Brian looks between us, his brows furrowed in obvious confusion. Neither Connor nor I move, each standing in place, ridiculous smiles on our faces. “I feel like I’m late to the conversation.”

“Nah, man. You’d have to be invited to be late,” Connor says with a wink my direction before turning to face Brian. “I’m sure you’re itching to put me through the ringer so let’s get started.”

I don’t move as I watch the two men walk toward one of the therapy rooms. Brian steps through the doorway first with Connor pausing just behind him. Stopping just short of the door, he turns, his gaze piercing through me, straight to my core.

I’ve read romances and watched my share of sappy love stories on television. Never have I believed a moment existed that you could stare at a person and the rest of the world faded away.

Until today.

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