Calculated Risk (Blackbridge Security 5)

“His son then?” She rolls her eyes. “His grandson? Oh! Is he really good looking?”

“I’m not dating anyone from work,” she mutters.

“But you are dating someone.”

“I don’t date.”

“I hate to break it to you, but spending time repeatedly with someone is dating.”

“I’ve been working,” she repeats, and the tone of her voice tells me it’s time to drop the subject.

“Fine, but it always comes out in the wash.”

“Speaking of dirty laundry.” She smiles wide. “Did you ask Quinten out?”

It’s my turn to stare across the room.

“I’ll take that pink in your cheeks to mean yes.”

“We went for coff—water.”

“You went for water? Is that a euphemism for something really dirty?” She clasps her wine glass between her hands, holding it close to her chin as she readjusts her body on the couch to face me. It’s easy to see she’s fully invested in what I have to say and damn near delirious to listen to me gossip rather than make her own confessions.

“No euphemism. We went to a diner after class and had water. He said it was too late for coffee.”

Her eyes narrow. “He said? As in he didn’t want coffee, or he said it was too late for you to have coffee?”

“That’s a weird look,” I say pointing to her face. “Why is your face like that?”

“I’m trying to determine if him telling you what to do is hot or creepy.”

I chuckle. “I mentioned not being able to sleep well. I suggested coffee. He suggested water so it wouldn’t keep me up since it was already evening.”

Her face softens. “That is the sweetest thing. Did you invite him back for a nightcap?”

“No.” I drop my eyes.

“And this was two days ago?”

“Last week after class,” I correct.

“And this week’s class?”

“What about it?”

“Seriously? What happened after this week’s class?”

I think back to two nights ago and how quickly he had to leave. I was sure he was going to ask me out or something, but he had to rush off. I was disappointed to say the least.

“He had a work emergency. Why do you keep looking at me like that?”

“There’s more to the story, and I’m trying to figure out why you won’t talk to me about it.”

“That sucks, doesn’t it?” I give her a pointed look.

“Working,” she mutters. “Now spill.”

“He came over last Saturday.” I point to the alarm panel on the wall. “He had one of the other guys from his office install the security system.”

Her eyes dart to the panel before slowly looking back at me. With each inch of rotation of her head, her smile grows. “He did what the other companies in town were too busy to do?”

I shrug as if it isn’t a big deal, but deep down I know it is. “He said a random winner was selected from the group to win a free system. I was the lucky winner.”

“Bullshit.”

“That’s what I said.”

“The man is hot for you, Hayden. Don’t you see that?”

“He’s just doing his job, and I really think he has a savior complex. He told me about his job and how he’s responsible for crisis management and stuff.”

“Mhmm. Tell me more.”

“What’s there to tell?”

“The man was in your house, Hayden.”

“He had a coworker here with him.”

“And they both left at the same time?”

My face flames. Parker is my best friend, and I have no clue why I’m getting embarrassed talking to her about this.

“He kissed me, okay!”

She rolls her lips between her teeth to keep from laughing. “Was it a good kiss?”

“It was just like a brush. No big deal.”

“If it wasn’t a big deal then why are you as red as a tomato?”

“It’s hot in here.”

“Is not.” She chuckles. “You really like him.”

“I’ll probably never see him again.”

“You know where he works, Hayden. Just call his office.”

“I have his cell phone, but I’ll never use it, and before you grill me, he gave it to me in case I had an operation question about the security system.”

“Do you really believe that? Because I don’t see Blackbridge making a habit of giving out personal cell phone numbers.”

“It doesn’t matter. Classes are over, and I’m just going to chalk it up to a lost opportunity.”

“That’s absurd. It’s the twenty-first century. Call that man up and ask him out on a date.”

“No.”

“Then fake some sort of security system emergency.”

“Absolutely not. He’s busy. He works a lot. He said so himself, Parker. I’m not going to lie to him just to be able to see him.”

“The man is hot for you. He wasn’t able to keep his eyes off you in class. Why do you think I teased you so much about him?”

“Making obscene comments about how his ass looks in jeans, and—”

“He does have a fabulous ass.”

“I thought you were going to go after him.”

“I was trying to get you to make a move.”