Page 12 of Her Billionaire Hero
“And that makes you nervous,” he said. “Like she might get back together with him to resolve this unfinished business.”
I hadn’t thought about it that way at all. “Well, I don’t know. I mean, I’ve been telling myself that this is business and we can be friends but nothing more than that. And I think we’re great friends. We also work great together. Everything is great, is what I’m trying to say.”
“Yeah, I got that much.” He chuckled, amused with my ramblings.
“Anyway, I’m just saying that neither of us has made a move and that tells me she’s not ready for romance of any kind.”
“She ran her hand along your back, Baldwyn. She’s ready.”
“It was a pat.”Was it more than just a pat?
“No, it wasn’t a pat. She ran her hand all the way along the top of your back. And you know what that means?” The gleam in his eye told me that he thought it meant something other than what I had in mind..
“Well, even if she did that—which I don’t think she really did as much as you think you saw—it doesn’t matter.” I’d made up my mind. “We’re working together, so sex is out.”
“What about romance?” he asked as he got up. “Romance and sex are not one and the same. You could woo her slowly.”
“Woo her?” I couldn’t help but laugh at his archaic language.
“What if her ex comes back into her life?”
I didn’t think that would happen. But if it did, I didn’t think I would like it much at all. “He’s never supported her career choice. I don’t think he’ll be into her with her having this job now.”
“Yeah, you might be right. Or you might be wrong. Seeing that she’s capable of doing this job just might bring his light back on for her. Whose light went out anyway?”
I had no idea. “Not sure. Don’t care. It’s not my business. But whatever happens, happens. I know from the past that I can’t manipulate anyone’s life. And I don’t want to.”
“I see.” Tyrell didn’t see at all though. “You’re willing to let that guy take her back before you declare your feelings for her?”
“I am not.” I wasn’t going to let her ex take her back. “I mean—hell, I don’t know what I mean. He wasn’t good for her. He tried like hell to hold her back. But she kept on moving forward anyway. I respect that in a person. I really respect that in a woman who was married to the person who was trying to keep her from reaching her goal.”
“I’ve found out that respect is just another word for love.” He said as if it were true.
“You’re crazy. Respect is respect and that’s it. I respect her and I know she respects me.” That was enough for me. “Her friendship is more than enough for me.”
Looking out the door, he leaned on the frame, inhaling the dust stirred up by the digging machines. “I just hope her ex doesn’t show up and fuck up all this great work.”
“She wouldn’t let him.” I felt almost certain of that.
Chapter Six
Sloan
Closing the refrigerator door after finding little in it, I knew it was time to make a grocery run, even though it was the last thing I felt like doing on a Sunday morning. “If I want to eat, I have to shop.”
Grabbing my purse on the way out, I stopped on the front porch, looking at Baldwyn’s door.Maybe I should see if he’d like me to pick up anything.
Giving my cell a glance, I saw it was only seven in the morning. That seemed a bit too early to be knocking on anyone’s door—even if he was up already. Sunday was the only day we all took off work. I couldn’t risk waking him up.
As I pulled into the nearly empty parking lot of my favorite grocery store, I felt happy that I wouldn’t have to fight a crowd. Taking my time meant I’d find better bargains than if I had to rush.
The produce smelled fresh as I entered the store. That was one of the main reasons I loved this particular grocery store so much—the fresh fruits and veggies. As I picked up a pear, taking a sniff of it, I thought about making something nice for lunch. I could invite Baldwyn and his brothers over to enjoy the meal too.
Sunday lunches sounded like a great thing to start doing with my new friends. So, I took out my cell to look up recipes for something special to make. Scrolling through the many ideas that popped up, I found what I wanted to serve for our first ever Sunday lunch. “Roasted chicken with asparagus and portabella mushrooms.” Licking my lips, I went to pick out some fresh greens to make a salad to go with it.
“You’re up early.” The man’s voice made chills run down my spine.
My shoulders tensed as I eased my head to the side to find my ex-husband coming toward me. “So are you.” He’d never gotten up before ten o’clock before. “This is odd.”
