Page 7 of Reacher's Ride or Die

“I know that, but I hate just sitting around my place. I’m just not the type of person who can do that, so I decided that I’d come by here to check on you,” she said.

“And you cleaned my bathroom, got my medications sorted, and now, you’re offering to make me dinner,” Gloria said. “While I don’t mind the company, I’m wondering why a woman who looks like you isn’t out on a hot date tonight.” Now that Gloria brought it up, Reacher was trying to figure that out too. She was hot, and most women who looked like her would have no issues getting a date.

“Um, I don’t date,” she admitted.

“Well, we’ll need to work on that,” Gloria insisted. Reacher almost felt bad for Brandi because Gloria was someone who loved a project, and she’d consider Brandi’s dating life, or the lack of, a project.

“I’m good, really Gloria. I’m happy just working and taking care of Mr. Cuddles Worth.” Brandi crossed her arms over her chest as though symbolically standing her ground, and Reacher thought that it was pretty damn cute.

“Is he one of your other patients?” Gloria asked.

Brandi dropped her arms to her sides and laughed. “No, he’s my cat. When one of my patients died, I inherited Mr. Cuddles Worth. I love him like crazy, and he tolerates me—most of the time.”

“You really are the sweetest person,” Reacher breathed. “You took in a patient’s cat?” She nodded and all he could do was stare back at her.

Gloria cleared her throat, garnering both of their attention. “I have an idea,” she said. Reacher almost wanted to groan at the thought of Gloria having an idea. Her ideas usually meant morework for him, or having to do something completely ridiculous and embarrassing.

“I have a feeling that neither Brandi nor I will like this idea of yours, Gloria,” he grumbled.

“Now, just hear me out. You’ve brought me good news, and I’d love to celebrate your new job, James,” she started.

“Okay, get your jacket and purse,” Reacher offered.

“Well, I’m not supposed to go out in public for a while. My chemo screwed up my immune system, and I’ve been ordered to stay home. So, why don’t you take Brandi out in my stead? What do you say?” She looked so proud of herself, for coming up with her idea, but poor Brandi didn’t look the same. In fact, she looked a little green, if Reacher was being honest.

“If this is you trying to fix my dating life, I say no thank you,” Brandi said, with a little heat.

“I don’t think that she meant for us to go on a date—just grab some dinner, as friends,” Reacher said, hoping to save any hurt feelings. Brandi was dead set against going on a date with him, and that kind of hurt his damn feelings, but he wouldn’t tell either of the women that.

“He’s right,” Gloria insisted. “I didn’t want to push you into anything you don’t want. I just want James to have a celebratory dinner, and you need a proper night off, Brandi. So, let me treat you both to a nice dinner. Please,” Gloria quickly added. She wasn’t pulling any punches, and Brandi seemed to deflate some. When she looked back up at him and nodded her agreement, Reacher let out a breath that he didn’t know that he had been holding.

“Great,” Gloria almost shouted. “You two figure out where you want to go, and I will expect for you to give me the check so I can pay you back.”

“That’s really not necessary,” Reacher said. He hated the idea of Gloria paying him to take Brandi out to dinner.

“Nonsense, James,” Gloria said. “You’ll let me buy you both dinner, or the next time either of you knock on my front door, I won’t answer it.” She was trying to play hardball, but Gloria had forgotten one little thing.

“Um, we both have keys,” Brandi said as though reading his mind. Gloria’s bright smile turned into a scowl, and he was sure that she’d find a way to lock them both out. Hell, she’d have Yonkers come over and change the fucking locks if necessary.

“But we’d love to let you buy us dinner,” Reacher said.

“We would?” Brandi asked.

“Yeah,” Reacher said, holding out his hand to her, “would you like to help me celebrate my new job, friend,” he asked.

Brandi smiled up at him, taking his hand in hers, and nodded. “I’d love to, friend.” They both ignored Gloria’s clapping and carrying on. Letting her win the argument was easy, but Reacher had a feeling that winning over Brandi and convincing her to give him a chance was going to be much harder—especially if Yonkers found out what he was up to.

Brandi

Brandi convinced Reacher to let her run back to her place to change out of her scrubs and meet him at the restaurant. The last thing that she wanted to do was ride with Reacher to dinner and then have him run her back to her place. She’d feel obligated to ask him up, just to be polite, and that would be disastrous.

Brandi told Reacher to pick the place for dinner since it was technically a celebration for landing his new job. Of course, he countered telling her that technically, her starting with Gloria was a new job and that she should pick the place. They went around in a circle, both insisting that the other pick for about ten minutes until Brandi finally gave up and picked her favorite Italian restaurant about four blocks from her house. It was a beautiful fall evening, so she decided to walk the short distance to meet Reacher.

He was already at the restaurant waiting for her, sitting on the back of his bike. She nearly swallowed her tongue at the sight of him. He had on black jeans and a black shirt that hugged his muscles. Jesus, what was it about a guy wearing all black that made her crazy? Honestly, it probably had something to dowith the fact that she loved bad boys, and Reacher seemed to completely fit that bill—even if she knew that deep down, he was a good guy. Gloria wouldn’t have him around if he wasn’t.

“You came,” he said, sounding quite surprised that she had shown up.

“Why do you sound surprised?” Brandi asked.

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