Page 95 of Tempting the Player
Brogan looks over his shoulder at me.
“I’m Hendrick Holland.”
The guy looks down at his tablet. “I have a Bosch dishwasher for you.”
“You must have it wrong. I didn’t order anything.”
“Actually...” Jane pulls her bottom lip between her teeth. “You did. Or I did. It was supposed to come later,afterwe left.”
“You bought us a dishwasher?” I ask, dumbfounded.
“It’s no big deal. I wanted to do something to say thank you for letting me stay here and everything.”
I continue to stare at her.
“Is it cool if I bring it in?” The guy still standing in the door looks at me for confirmation.
I ignore him and keep my focus on Jane. “You didn’t need to do that.”
“I know. I wanted to.” She shrugs.
“This is my job. You pay me to keep you safe. I don’t need gifts.”
She tips her chin down to scowl at me. “My dad told me that you’ve all but stopped taking payment for being my bodyguard.”
Dammit. She was not supposed to know that. The only thing I’ve let them pay for is Logan’s hours. He should get paid regardless of my involvement with her.
“Okay. It’s more than a job. But that’s exactly why I don’t need payment or gifts. You’ve already thanked me and that’s enough.”
“It isn’t enough. Not even close. Besides, Knox has kicked that one so many times it’s basically useless.” She motions with her head toward the old dishwasher and smiles.
Someone must have given the go-ahead because a fancy new dishwasher is being wheeled through the living room to the kitchen. It’s a thoughtful gesture, but completely unnecessary.
“Please don’t be mad. I wanted to do something nice for you and I knew you would say no if I asked.” She steps closer and threads her fingers through mine. “If you won’t accept it, then let me do it for your brothers. It isn’t their job to look after me, but they have. You’ve all been really great to me, and it means more than I could say with a simple thanks.”
I know that the dishwasher is probably a small price compared to the fee I was originally taking for the job, but it still feels like too much.
My attention is drawn to my brothers checking out the new dishwasher and smiling like it’s the coolest gadget they’ve ever seen as the guy removes the old one. Even Flynn has emerged from his room. If I tell them we can’t keep it, they’ll be salty about it. And she knows it.
“Thank you.”
She lifts onto her toes and lets her lips graze over mine. “That almost sounded like you meant it.”
I circle her waist and pull her flush against me. “I’ll properly show you my thanks after dinner.”
Her eyes light up. “I’m going to hold you to that.”
* * *
Araceli’s is as nice as I remember, and the food is great. We talk about nothing and everything. She’s so easy to be with, so excited about everything. She really knows how to be in the moment. It’s nice.
After we’re done eating and the check is paid, we linger. This is maybe the best date I’ve ever had, and it’s all coming to an end far sooner than I want.
“Tell me about living in L.A. Where is your apartment? Where’d you hang out?” She has both elbows on the table as she stares at me with excitement dancing in her green eyes. Guess I’m not the only one that doesn’t want the night to end.
“Excuse me.” A woman steps up to the table. She looks at Jane, flicks her gaze at me, and then refocuses on my girl. “I’m so sorry for interrupting, but are you Ivy Greene?”
At the mention of Ivy, I tense. Jane shows no such reaction. She sits back and smiles. “Yeah, I am. Hi. Have we met?”
