Page 31 of Inked Craving

I held up my hand, shaking my head. “If we start talking about him, then I’ll get growly, and I’m not in the mood to kick someone’s ass. At least not when I have to get a few things done before I head out.”

“You really are a good man, Lee Grier.”

I shook my head. “It sure doesn’t feel that way sometimes.”

“You’re wrong. You’re a good man, and you’re just going to have to deal with it.”

“Um, thanks for that. And thanks for all of these books.”

She smiled softly. “You’re very welcome. Now go get everything set up so you can go and feed that girl of yours.” I raised a brow. “Okay, maybe not that girl of yours.”

I stared at her, and she just shook her head and left me alone to my own devices, which was probably a mistake. I shouldn’t be left alone with those. Not when I was always afraid of where my mind would go.

Andrea headed back to her desk, and I went back to work, pretending that I was okay, and that I wasn’t thinking about Paige. But that was the problem. I had to work my ass off while I was here or work out so hard that I passed out in exhaustion afterward, so I didn’t think about my best friend’s little sister. Hell, she was my friend. I spent more time with her than I did with Benjamin or Beckett these days. Or even Brenna. They all had lives, problems, and families. And Paige was doing a damn good job of pretending that she didn’t need anybody. Therefore, I just stepped in and didn’t give her a choice.

I hadn’t even been on a date in the past seven or so months. I paused as I looked down at my notebook, blinking. That couldn’t be right, could it?

No, Leia had been the last person I went on a date with. And it hadn’t even ended well, considering I left her standing in the rain. Or rather, she had left me standing in the rain because I wanted to help Paige. Not the best way to end a date, and I was probably a jerk for that, but then she hadn’t wanted to help someone who clearly needed it. I shook my head, wondering why it even mattered.

All of my time off these days was for Paige and my friends. There was no time for sex, not since Paige.

I groaned. The last person I’d slept with had been Paige Montgomery. Something we were not discussing, even though we clearly should. I let out a breath and went back to work, focusing. I had gotten to work that morning at six, knowing I wanted to make it to Paige’s home in time for dinner. I was working way too many hours, but then again, I always was. That was what I did, what I always did. I liked my job, but it was hard work. Maybe not physical, but mental. My brain was always going, trying to solve problems, attempting to figure out the next phase of what I needed to research and discover. To do that, I needed to work long hours. No wonder I wasn’t dating. My work was my mistress, and Paige, well, Paige was Paige.

Not the most eloquent thing to say or even think, but it was the truth.

By the time my alarm buzzed, telling me I needed to get my head out of my ass and head over to Paige’s after picking up dinner, I felt like my eyes were ready to bleed, but I was still jonesing. I loved my job. I loved science because there could be answers. Just like with math, there was always an answer. It might take me years to figure it out, but I would find it. There was always a chance for a new discovery. For taking things apart just to put them back together again. Nanotech was cutting-edge, and I loved what I did, even if it took all of my free time.

I made my way up front and noticed that Andrea was already gone for the day. I looked around and scowled, wondering why I was going home earlier than usual, but still one of the last people to leave. Only a couple of the postdocs were still here, as well as people finishing up any tests that were time sensitive. Still, though, I was doing this whole work thing wrong. I figured I didn’t know how to take time off. Only I reminded myself, I liked my job. The more time I worked here, the less time I thought about Paige Montgomery.

I blinked once as I noticed my name scrawled on a notepad on the front desk, looking to see a note and a box of chocolates sitting there.

Lee, these came in while you were working, and I didn’t want to bother you. Looks yummy. Andrea.

I shrugged, then opened the note in the small envelope that reminded me of something I’d seen before.

Roses are red

Violets are cute

Don’t forget me

When the offer is moot.

I scowled, looked at the chocolates and the note, and shook my head. There was something seriously wrong with whoever was sending these, but I couldn’t focus because who the hell would do something like this? I remembered the other note now, but while it looked the same, there was no way someone would be sending me a second one. I had never followed up on that first letter, but I needed to call my friend from college and see if they were the asshole. It didn’t seem like a Montgomery prank, but who knew these days. So, I’d ask them, too. I moved the note and gift to my desk and figured I’d take care of it in the morning. Just then, my phone buzzed.

Paige:I think I’m supposed to only eat bland food tonight. I’m sad.

My lips twitched.

Me:Salads it is.

Paige:If you bring a salad into this house, I will murder you.

I just shook my head and headed out to my car.

Me:You will be eating a salad because the doctor said you need more veggies. But I was thinking of Southern food. Just not Cajun with the actual spices.

Paige:Gravy. Yes. Bring me all the gravy. Now I’m drooling.

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