Page 33 of Flaunt
I grimace. “That sounds expensive.”
“It’s not. Just bring your car by my shop this week, and I’ll reset it for you.”
I gasp. “Banks Carmichael, are you doing meanotherfavor?” I swat his shoulder. “Look at you, being so sweet.”
“Hardly. I’m saving myself a step because you’ll mention it to Ashley, and she’ll mention it to Maddox, and he’ll mention it to me like he does every damn car issue.” He pauses and stands tall. “Well, that makes sense since I am the resident car expert.”
I giggle.He’s so adorable when he wants to be.
He’s about to speak when an engine starts, and a car comes down the road from the cul-de-sac. It slows when it gets to us.
“Hey, Banksy,” a man who looks like an older Banks says. “You must be Sara.”
I nod and wave. “I am.”
“I’m Kixx, the father of this brood. This is Damaris.” He juts a thumb toward a beautiful lady in the passenger’s seat.
She’s waving too. “Dinner is at three. You’re welcome to come. We’d love to have you.”
“Thank you for the invitation,” I say.
Kixx looks at Banks. “Going to the grocery store. We’ll be back shortly.” He looks at me again. “Nice to meet you, Sara.”
“You too,” I say.
With a beep of their horn, they’re gone.
Banks looks at me and shakes his head, a grumpy smile on his lips. “No, Sara. You cannot have my parents too. They’re mine, dammit.”
I laugh. I can’t help it. He’s a petulant child who’s just had his favorite toy taken away. I can barely hold back a snort.
How this man goes from this to the sexy fucker at Moss’s last night is beyond me.I’m not mad about it, though. Not even a little bit.
“Don’t worry, Banks. I won’t be there this afternoon.”
“Good. When did you say you’re moving again? I need all the attention back on me.”
I laugh. “Tuesday.”
“Great.”
“Good,” I say.
He watches me for a long moment, a playful smile on his lips. Instead of volleying with me anymore, he turns toward his house.
“Later,” he says.
“Later.”
I watch him go and assess the softness in my chest. It worries me. I’m not soft.
But why do I feel like too much time with that man will make me that way?
Better get my guard up and fast.
7
Banks
