Protect Me Not ((Un)Professionally Yours 2)

“Are we okay, Swish? You’re not still cross with me, right?” There was a time when Miles would never have asked such a question, and Vicki would have left the conversation thinking he didn’t care either way. It was yet another example of Charity’s influence on her brother. Miles was more willing to show them that their opinions and feelings mattered to him. She liked that her previously closed off big brother was opening up so much.

“Miles, I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for us. Back when we were kids, as well as, now. But it’s important for you to understand that we can take care of ourselves. You don’t have to do quite so much anymore.”

“I know that, Vicki. I do. But you’ll always be my baby brother and sister. It’s a little hard for me to rein in the overprotectiveness, but I’ll try harder, okay?”

She smiled. “That’s all I ask.”

They chatted a while longer, discussing their mother’s wedding, and Vicki’s travel dates. Vicki insisted that her brother call his dog, Stormy, to the phone so that she could lavish baby talk on the confused pupper…and she was a lot happier by the time the call ended.

Vicki tried hard to disguise her shock when she left the apartment that afternoon and found Ty, instead of Chance, waiting by the elevator.

“Chance was needed elsewhere,” he said before she could ask about the change. It seemed that Ty was always sacrificing his days off to fill in for Chance lately. No wonder he resented Vicki.

She sighed and told herself that Brand EPS’s scheduling conflicts were of no concern to her. This was something he needed to sort out with his superior, or Chance, or whomever.

She nodded in response to his words, choosing not to say anything, and his eyes flickered. He adjusted his cuffs and stepped toward the elevator.

They stood side by side, about three feet of space between them, as the doors slid shut, boxing them in with each other. Vicki had never felt more claustrophobic than she did in that moment. She wished that she’d just remained in her oblivious bubble about where he lived and had never confronted him about it.

Because things felt awkward and horrible between them right now.

“Thank you again,” he said after a short silence. She looked at him, not sure why he was thanking her. He pointed to the lapel of his gray jacket, and she inhaled sharply when she saw the boutonnière affixed there.

“It’s nothing,” she muttered, fighting back the flush of pleasure at the sight of her gift being put to use.

“It’s the first real birthday present anybody has given me in…” He lifted his big shoulders as he appeared to consider his words. “Well, in years, I guess.”

That untwisted her tongue in a hurry. “Surely not?”

“I don’t have any close family left,” he explained, without any of his habitual reluctance to divulge personal information. “And the few acquaintances I do have aren’t exactly the gift giving type.”

“I’m sorry it wasn’t something more special then.”

“You made this with your own hands…while thinking of me.” His voice was a hoarse whisper while his eyes pierced into hers with unsettling concentration. “That’s pretty special.”

Vicki averted her eyes, not sure what to make of his intensity. Thankfully, the elevator stopped before she had to think of a response.

He sneered at Simon—who snarled back—as they swept through the foyer, and he had her safely in the car seconds later.

“Do you know where we’re going?” Vicki asked, while buckling her seatbelt.

“Chance briefed me, yes.” He tugged at his collar—an uncharacteristic, nervous gesture—and put the car into gear. He waved at the valet before easing away from the curb.

Vicki fiddled with her phone, keeping her eyes down, acutely aware that he kept glancing at her in the rearview mirror.

It was a short drive, in relatively light traffic, and Vicki was keen to get it over with. She was sure that eventually things would go back to the less-than-ideal norm with Ty, but so soon after last night’s gaffe, she felt embarrassed and uneasy. She wished like hell that Chance was on duty like he was supposed to be. She hadn’t been emotionally prepared to see Ty today. And that had to be why she felt so out of sorts right now.

“Who chose the venue for this date?” Ty’s deep voice rumbled its way to her and startled her out of her mildly panicked reverie.

Get yourself together, Victoria Ann! her Nan-voice screeched at her, and she shook herself before focusing on his question.

“Teddy chose it.”

He lifted a brow but said nothing and that just…irked. Because she damned well knew he had something to say.

Against her better judgment, she asked, “What’s wrong with the gardens?”

“Nothing…” A beat of silence. “But you go there a lot anyway.”

They were heading to the Chelsea Physic Gardens, one of her absolute favorite places. And, yes, she went there a lot.