"I wont have this conversation here," she said fiercely. "If you want to talk, then you can bring your carcass home on time and talk to me then. "
Oh hell. The men exchanged quick looks and Nathan let out a silent groan. Gray was busted in a big way.
Grays eyes softened. "Is this what this is about? My being late?"
"Gray, read my lips. I will not have this conversation in front of my brother and your friends. "
"Hey, baby doll, dont be that way," Micah reproached. "You were here way before Gray. Just because hes a guy doesnt mean he automatically gets our loyalty. "
Faith frowned unhappily. "Im sorry, Micah. I didnt mean it that way. Look, why dont I just leave? Pop will be in any second, and he wanted to talk to you all. Im just the coffee and doughnut provider and you all know it. Im not having a personal discussion in front of God and everyone, I dont care how much I love you all. "
"Goddamn it, Faith," Gray swore when she rounded the corner of her desk and headed for the door.
She nearly collided with Pop, who put his hands out to steady her.
"Whoa there, girl. Where you going in such a hurry?"
Pops grizzled face softened in love for his only daughter. He was an ornery coot, but he loved Faith to pieces. Hell, they all did. Nathan wondered what in the world had gotten her so worked up. Gray didnt look like he had any more of a clue than the rest of them.
"Im going to head home, if thats all right with you," Faith said softly. "Im not feeling so great this morning. "
Pop looked up, his eyes hard as he searched out the others for an explanation. Then he looked back at Faith and patted her on the shoulder. "Of course I dont mind. Go home and get some rest. Ill send over some lunch for you later
. "
She smiled wanly. "Thanks, Pop. " She reached up to kiss him on the cheek, then disappeared out the door.
"Well hell," Gray muttered.
Pop strode in, a scowl bunching the wrinkles around his eyes.
"One of you want to tell me why my girl just left here so upset?"
"Ask him," Connor said, thumbing in Grays direction. "Apparently Faith called off the wedding. "
Even Pop looked shocked at that announcement. His glance at Gray was almost sympathetic.
"She got bridal jitters?" he asked Gray.
"Hell if I know. I didnt even know shed called the thing off until I called to confirm our reservations only to discover shed canceled them. "
"That would explain you coming in here hell on wheels," Micah said dryly.
"Well yeah, knocked my feet out from under me. " Gray stared around at the others and then at Connor. "Does anyone know something theyre not telling me?"
They all shook their heads as fast as the question spilled out. As if any of them wanted to get involved in Faiths and Grays personal lives.
Connor looked thoughtfully at Gray, some of his animosity fading. "She talked about you being late. Could it be she misunderstood? I mean, this surprise youre planning . . . Faiths a levelheaded girl, but once a woman gets an idea planted in her head, a man is well and truly screwed at that point. "
"Are you saying she might think Im cheating on her?" Gray asked in a strangled voice. "All because Im late?"
"Ai yi yi, you two are giving me a headache," Micah complained. "There are plenty of other reasons a woman might get upset over a man being late home from work all the time. "
"Oh yeah? Name one," Nathan said.
Micah shrugged. "Well, if hes coming home tired, she might feel neglected or like hes lost interest, or maybe she feels hes keeping secrets from her. Women are freakishly tuned in to when a man is holding out on them, I swear. "
"How the hell do you know so much about the female mind?" Connor demanded.
"Ive had relationships. It s all common sense. You just have to put yourself in the mind-set of a woman. "
Four sets of eyeballs skittered over Micah like hed lost his damn mind.
"Now who the hell tries to do that?" Pop demanded. "No man in his right mind ever wants to try and figure out what goes on in a womans head. I tell you, its an exercise in frustration. Good way to give yourself a stroke about thirty years too early. Hell, son, Ive been through two wives and three live-ins. God help me, but I prefer life as a bachelor. "
Connor chuckled and shook his head. Even Micah grinned.
"Hes probably right," Gray said wearily. "Ive been spending all my time out at the new house. I wanted everything to be perfect so that when we came back from our honeymoon, I could surprise her with the house. Honestly, by the time I get home, all Im thinking about is food and bed. "
"Ouch," Nathan said. As dim-witted as he was when it came to women, and his current predicament sure didnt show him to be a fount of knowledge on the female species, even he could figure this one out.
"Yeah, ouch," Connor said in sympathy. "Sounds like my sister has got her feelings hurt. Shes always been sensitive that way. You know that, Gray. "
"Now dont go bad-mouthing your sister," Pop said gruffly. "She hasnt had the best time of it in life. Shes bound to be a little insecure, especially in a new relationship. Gray just has to work harder at making sure she knows where she stands. "
Gray winced and rubbed his hands over his face. "God. I cant believe Im standing here being lectured by an old fart and three guys whose idea of a steady relationship is knowing the name of the woman theyre sleeping with. "
Pop punched him in the gut. "Who you calling an old fart? Ill take your scrawny ass any day of the week. "
"And Nathan knows her name, hes just not sleeping with her," Connor drawled.
"Yeah, yeah, you just couldnt resist a potshot. Sure, kick a man when hes down," Nathan muttered.
He avoided Micahs gaze. There was no way in hell he was spilling the beans about what had gone on the night before. If it meant getting teased by the others because he couldnt pin the little witch down, then so be it. Better that than getting his balls handed to him if it got back to Julie what hed done.
"Have you tried talking to her, son?" Pop asked Nathan in exasperation.
"Dont we have projects to discuss?" Nathan demanded. "Im fairly certain my private life isnt one of them. "
He was roundly ignored by the others.
"He cant get close enough to her to talk," Connor snickered.
"It seems to me that you have offended her female sensibilities by being a typical, thickheaded male," Pop said sagely.
"No kidding. "
"So, go talk to her. Ask her out. Seems to me thats what you should have done months ago instead of going to her for massages. A mans got to speak up for what he wants, or risk losing it. "
Everyone groaned. Pop was on a roll, and when he got on a roll, well, there was no shutting him up.