Good Girls Don't (Donovan Brothers Brewery 1)

“I’m sorry. He comes by pretty often. He’s probably looking for dinner.”

“Oh, I—”

“Don’t drive up! Just let me out here.”

“Tessa…this is a little weird.”

“I know. I’m sorry! But I had a good time.” She reached for the handle before stopping abruptly and turning back to him. “A really good time.” The girl was quick as a damned thief, and before Luke knew what she was up to, her fingers touched his jaw, and then her lips touched his mouth. Without giving him even a second to respond, Tessa was out the door and waving as she hurried up the narrow sidewalk. But Luke was sure she’d transferred that tiny hint of moisture from her lip to his. He certainly convinced himself that he could taste her. And sure enough, the sweet taste stayed with him for hours.

CHAPTER FIVE

THE NEXT MORNING, Tessa smiled and waved at Eric as he walked past her office door. As soon as he disappeared from view, she leaned over her desk, nudged the door shut with an outstretched hand an

d picked up the phone. “Answer,” she ordered Jamie as the phone rang, but it went to voice mail after one ring. Granted, it was only 9:00 a.m. and she wouldn’t normally call him this early, but he hadn’t returned her call last night. She didn’t bother leaving a message. She’d already left three. Jamie was probably passed out in some girl’s bed while his phone beeped helplessly from the pocket of his jeans.

She cursed him for his ability to so easily forget his problems, even as she fondly considered how she’d tried to forget her problems last night. Damn Eric for interfering. Her brothers were seriously cutting into her private life. But at least Eric had suspected nothing more than a girls’ night out when she’d strolled in the night before.

Before she could pick up the receiver again, the phone rang and Tessa snatched it up. “Hello?” she said desperately.

“Hey, Tessa! It’s Wendy. I got your message about the break-in.”

She liked the temp waitress a lot, but Tessa still slumped in her chair at the sound of her voice. “Oh, good. I know you haven’t worked in a few months, but your information was still on the computer.”

“I already called the credit agencies to check in. Like you said, an alert has been placed on my name and Social, so I think it’s all good.”

At the sound of male voices, Tessa craned her neck to see through the glass window in her door. Eric was talking to Wallace in the hallway.

“You need anything else?” Wendy asked.

“Oh, are you still planning to fill in for us in the barroom this summer?”

“Absolutely. It’s just that this course load is killing me this semester.”

“No big deal. You’re welcome back anytime, Wendy.”

She hung up just as Wallace started gesturing in angry jerks. Not an unusual scenario. The man was a genius, and like most geniuses, he was temperamental. Deciding that Eric would be occupied for a few minutes, Tessa dug out Roland Kendall’s number and tried his office one more time.

“This is Tessa Donovan again. Is Mr. Kendall available?”

“I gave him your message yesterday, Ms. Donovan. I’m sure he’ll be in touch soon.”

Tessa stuck her tongue out at the receptionist’s voice, then nearly bit it off when the office door snapped open. Tessa threw the phone into its cradle before she realized it was Jamie.

“Oh, Jamie. Thank God. Why didn’t you call me back? If you want me to talk to Monica, then—”

“Did you go out with Luke Asher last night?” Jamie demanded.

“Um… What?”

“Eric said you were out with someone last night and you wouldn’t say who. Was it Luke?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“It was him, wasn’t it? I saw how you two were looking at each other.”

“Jamie, seriously. I’m twenty-seven. Cut it out.”

“No, I’m serious, Tessa. Stay away from Luke Asher. He’s bad news.”