Good Girls Don't (Donovan Brothers Brewery 1)

“Do you cook?” she asked.

“Well, I grill. And I make salad.”

She kissed him one last time. “I’ll bring the beer.”

“You’re a male fantasy come to life, you know that?”

“Ha. Don’t think I haven’t heard that before.”

She floated across her backyard, smiling at the way Luke’s car stayed parked as she dug her keys out. He’d pulled into the alley as if he was protecting her reputation. Now he was watching to be sure she made it safely inside, because 8:00 a.m. on a Wednesday was such a dangerous hour.

Her grin held as she dropped her purse on the kitchen counter. The smile stayed in place as she walked into the dining room. And it disappeared like a popped bubble when she saw Eric standing by her couch. He was staring in horror at the White Orchid bag as if it had sprouted fangs and clawed hands. He turned toward her, mouth open in shock.

“Okay.” Tessa sighed. “Give me your key.”

“Where have you been?” he barked.

“Where do you think I’ve been?”

He gestured to the bag, his face turning bright red, his jaw working as if he couldn’t make any words come out. “Jesus!” he finally yelled.

“Oh, for God’s sake, Eric! You have to give me the key to the house. Or at least promise to only use it in an emergency.”

“It was an emergency! Your car was in the garage and you wouldn’t answer the door. I forgot my phone at home… I was scared to death.”

“Eric…” She dropped her head and took a deep breath. “Look, I know I’ve never talked to you about men or dating, but I’m fine. I know what I’m doing.”

He glanced at the bag again, then crossed his arms and edged away from it.

Tessa rolled her eyes. “So why did you come by?” Again.

“Jamie and I talked.”

Her heart immediately jumped into a frantic race for oxygen. “What?”

“He told me you two spoke about Luke Asher. I was worried about you. But…I guess my concern was unwarranted. Or maybe it was fully warranted.” Oh, he sounded bitter, but Tessa was so busy trying to calm herself down that she didn’t respond. Jamie hadn’t told him about Monica Kendall. Yet.

“What are you doing, Tessa?” His words were heavy with disappointment.

“I’m fine, Eric. Please trust me. When have I ever let you down?”

They watched each other for a long moment, and she held his gaze with pride. She knew she’d never let him down. She’d made damn sure of it.

He finally looked away. “You know how proud I am of you. I just don’t want you to be hurt.”

“I know how to deal with pain, Eric. We all do.”

He bowed his head. “That’s the reason I don’t want you hurt again. Isn’t it obvious?”

“That’s impossible,” she said, even though she understood perfectly what he meant. She wanted the same thing for him and Jamie. For everything to just work out. “I’ll be hurt one day. And again and again after that. But I’ll still be happy. Anyway, I’m telling you that Luke isn’t who you think he is. Not at all. I’m not afraid of pain, but I wouldn’t ask for it.” Hell, he wasn’t even a babe magnet, just a bullet magnet.

She heard him sigh. His shoulders stayed tight. He wasn’t moved. They would go around and around about this and he’d never give in. But then Eric shook his head and stepped forward to pull her into his arms. “Are you serious about this guy?”

“Not serious,” she said, but when her heart lurched, added, “not yet.”

“Give me some time to get used to it.”

She pressed her ear to his heart. “Okay.”