Page 17 of Stolen

“But what was so funny?” she questioned.

“Nothing sweetheart. Nothing.” He sat down on the couch and took out his cell phone.

“You gonna stop calling me those sweet things,” she warned.

“Why should I do that?”

“Because—then I might get attached. You know, like a puppy.” SynTanner laughed again.

“You may be adorable Blossom but certainly not like a puppy. But if you want, I won’t call you anything but your name,” he said. Blossom thought for a moment. Never hearing him call her sweetheart again? She didn’t like that.

“Nah, I change my mind,” she quipped. SynTanner laughed at her again as he began texting.

“Who are you texting? Your woman must indeed be worried. Is being here going to get you in trouble?” Blossom asked.

“I’m texting a friend to bring me some clothes,” SynTanner replied. After sending his message he dropped his phone in his lap and looked at Blossom.

“I’m a pretty straight forward man Blossom. If you want to know something, ask. Don’t make false assumptions so I’ll feel the need to correct you.”

“Alright, are you taken? I mean a man of your stature is a goldmine to females. I know countless that use my company that would love a date with you.”

“Don’t turn me into one of your projects Blossom. If I want a woman, I’ll get her myself. I don’t need a dating company to set me up with random people. Only hopeless romantics spend their money on something as arbitrary as love to meet with people that may or may not even work. I’ve got better things to do with my time and my money. And no. I’m not taken. Guess I’m gruffer that females like and well, let’s just say I’m not changing,” he shrugged. Blossom glared at him.

“My company isn’t just about someone not having confidence to go after the person they want. I build connections, places for these people to meet and continue to build on. I don’t just take random people and match them together! And I’m sorry if people believe in my company and want to invest in their love life. Sorry if people believe in my skills to create the connections they can’t on their own!” She snapped. Her eyes were steely and cold as she stared at him. SynTanner realized then that his comment most likely offended her. She snatched open her duffel bag and searched through its contents roughly. She held a few pieces of her clothing to her chest, along with what looked like a bottle of soap and lotion. She clutched them tightly.

“You know, people always have slick shit to say about my work. I get it. I’m not a doctor, or a lawyer, or some social worker doing something major for this city. But I’m not just a matchmaker either! People believe in me. And they trust me. And I—I love seeing a couple that I helped to meet announce their wedding date, or the birth of their child, or even just the engagement. Don’t belittle what you don’t understand, Deputy.” SynTanner felt the sting of her words, especially when she called him Deputy. She marched to the bathroom and opened the door. Before she went inside, she paused.

“And you’re right. I didn’t think so at first but yeah, you are a gruff bastard. Hell, maybe even too pessimistic for my own taste,” she said. She tossed him a look over her shoulder.

“Blos—” Before he could protect, she slipped into the bathroom and slammed the door shut. A few moments later he heard the shower cut on.

“Fucked that up royally,” SynTanner grunted to himself. He slammed the back of his head against the wall. What was he thinking to belittle her job like that? Not only was she a victim, she’d been nothing but trusting and kind to him. Why’d he have to let his jackass ways infiltrate the peace between them?

“When are you ever going to learn?” he asked himself. His phone buzzed in his lap. SynTanner looked at his phone. He figured Blossom would be in the bathroom for a little while, and would be unaware of his absence. Walking silently through the room, he slipped out of the door, closing it quietly.

Ryder was waiting by the front doors of the lobby, holding the duffel bag of clothes SynTanner had asked him to bring.

“Man, what the fuck happened?!” Ryder shrieked. “Did you get hurt?!” Ryder was looking SynTanner up and down, as if checking for injury.

“Relax kid. Nothing’s wrong with me. Why would you assume something’s wrong with me?” Ryder’s face blanched. He held up his phone.

“I’m at Fullerton hotel. Something went down. I need clothes ASAP. Can you help me out?” Ryder repeated the text message that SynTanner sent him.

“Yeah, something did go down and I did need clothes!”

“What was it?! Plus, I thought you’d be at the bar longer. Then all of a sudden, I hear you rushed out before your dinner came to you and then you send me this message. What did you think I would assume?”

“I got looped into something with the department and I’m helping them out. I’m staying here for the night and I want to shower and be able to get out of these old clothes and into something fresh,” SynTanner shrugged.

“What?! Seriously? Even being on medical leave?”

“My position in this thing is very much as a civilian. But you gave me a little pep talk and it was the right kick in the ass that I needed. So, I wanna be here to do this. And trust me Ryder, this feels like it’s gonna be good for me,” SynTanner admitted. Ryder actually smiled.

“That’s what I wanna hear,” Ryder patted him on the shoulder. He tossed SynTanner the duffel bag.

“I’m all for you doing whatever it is you need to do, and you know I’m always looking out for you. But please, learn how to fucking text right so I don’t panic every single time!” Ryder scolded him.

“Ah, my texting is just fine. No one told you to overreact,” SynTanner chuckled. “Now I need to get back to her.”