Standing His Ground: Greer (Porter Brothers Trilogy 2)

Sharpshooter: They say marriages that start as friendships make better marriages.

Kentuckygirl: I heard that, too.

Sharpshooter: Then it must be true. Come on; let’s give it a chance. What have you got to lose?

Kentuckygirl: I could lose this, Sharpshooter. I’d miss talking to you every day. I’d miss your sense of humor, and your talks about your family. I’d miss you fussing about your dog, and how you make everyone mad when you get jelly in the peanut butter jar. I may not be there in person, but when you talk to me, I become a part of it. I’m afraid to risk losing that.

Sharpshooter: I thought you said I didn’t have a sense of humor?

Kentuckygirl: Recently, you’ve been kind of funny.

Sharpshooter: Only kind of?

Kentuckygirl: Yes.

Sharpshooter: Are you going to tell me when I am?

Kentuckygirl: You’ll be the first person I tell. I promise.

“Caleb is going to be here any minute, so get your lipstick on, girl. It’s go time.”

Diamond’s yell from the office behind her had her swirling in her chair.

Using her feet, she scooted her chair toward the door. “I changed my mind.” Then she quickly rolled her chair back to her desk.

“Coward! If you don’t ask him out, I’m going to tell Greer you’re the one he’s been talking to on the Internet!”

She kicked her feet out again, sending her chair back toward the door. “You wouldn’t dare!”

Diamond’s face screwed up mutinously. “Try me.”

The sound of the doorknob turning on the front door had her careening back to her desk.

Pasting a smile on her face, she greeted Caleb with a welcoming one. “Good morning, Mr. Green. Mrs. Richards-Bates is waiting for you.”

Caleb gave her a quick smile before going into Diamond’s office.

Dammit, Holly thought. What am I supposed to do now? The day before, it seemed a good idea to expand her horizons in the small group of men who were single and available.

Most of the men who came into the office weren’t exactly what any self-respecting woman would consider a catch. However, Caleb was the exception. He was a catch. He had been working as an assistant long enough that Diamond said the next time an election came around, she expected him to run.

She hurriedly touched up her lipstick, trying to convince herself she wasn’t cheating on Greer if he didn’t know it was her he was talking to on the Internet.

She set up the coffee server then wheeled it into Diamond’s office after knocking. Handing Diamond her coffee, she then nearly spilt Caleb’s cup when he gave her a charming smile after giving Diamond a quick look.

“Diamond said she can’t eat lunch with me, but that she didn’t think you had anything planned. How about we grab a burger before I have to be in court?”

“I …”

“Anyone here?”

Holly’s stomach dropped to the floor, recognizing the voice from the other room.

“Excuse me. I’ll be right back.” She started for the doorway when Greer appeared before she could stop him.

Caleb turned in his seat, and the two men stared at each other for a minute before she could find her voice.

“I’m coming—”

“Didn’t mean to interrupt. I just want your car keys. Are they where you always keep them? If so, I can get them myself.”

Holly frowned. “Why do you need my car? Is Logan okay?” Concern for Logan had her forgetting they had an audience. He had spent the night at his house; could he have gotten sick last night?

“He’s fine. I just wanted to borrow your car for a few hours. I want to get the rest of your tires looked at and get the oil changed.”

“I can do that. Tell Tate that—”

“Holly, perhaps you and—”

“No need. Your keys in your desk? Sorry about interrupting your conversation with your client.” Greer gave Caleb a once-over.

“Yes, but …” Holly practically ran out the door of Diamond’s office, trying to grab Greer’s arm and steer him away. Greer wasn’t about to be shoved into the other room, though.

“That your car out front?” he asked Caleb.

“Yes.”

“Sweet ride.”

“Thank you. Have we met before?”

“You used Diamond as your lawyer before?” Greer leaned against the doorway, refusing to budge.

“No, I’m not a client. I’m the Assistant Commonwealth Attorney.” Caleb stood up, setting his coffee cup down on the tray. Walking toward Greer, he extended his hand. “Caleb Green.”

Greer didn’t take his hand. Instead, he shoved his hands into his pockets.

Holly wanted to peel the carpet up and roll Greer into it when neither man broke the staring contest.

Caleb dropped his hand to his side. “Are you Holly’s mechanic?”

“I ain’t no mechanic.”

“He’s a friend. Let me get my keys for you.” She moved between the two men.

When she got her keys, she lifted them up so Greer would get the hint then gritted her teeth when he didn’t take his eyes off Caleb.

“Caleb, we need to get this finished.” Diamond’s furious voice had Caleb turning toward her then back toward Greer.