Page 26 of Reaching Hearts

“What were you going to say? And did you want to come in?”

He nodded and followed me in. I motioned to the couch but he opted for the big dark leather chair opposite me; Brendan’s favorite. I went to the kitchen to get him some ice water and he waited for me, asking how I met Brendan.

“Oh we met while I was on vacation a long time ago,” I called out. “So what’s going on at the company?”

He began to speak, but then stopped himself. “It’s not important. How’s your visit been?”

I tilted my head a bit and smiled. “Seriously, it’s okay. If you want to talk, I’m a good listener.”

“You sure I’m not interrupting your day?” He made a cute face.

“Nope. I was just reading a book, but it can wait.” I picked up the novel The Vampire Lestat from the couch, held it up and laid it on the coffee table, next to Wired Magazine. “See? Book can wait. Stay there, Book.”

His eyes danced more and he leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, hands clasped. “You’ve got it trained well.”

“Took me years.”

He laughed, but then his smile faded. “Well, the thing is, I don’t think Brendan’s gunning for me to do well at the company. He shuts me down a lot. I try not to let it get to me, but it does.”

I thought for a moment. “Last night at dinner, he said you guys have been friends since college. That’s a lot of time, so I’m sure he wants what’s best for you.”

Tommy looked away, eyes darkening. “I wish you were right, but I don’t think that’s the case. We all need friends in our court, you know? I’ve known these guys since forever, but it’s like I’m on the outside ever since they moved in together. I try to reach out.” He stopped and said on a laugh. “God, I sound like such a pussy.”

“No, I like it. My ex and I never used to talk like this. This is nice. I like hearing what’s really going on with people.”

“Yeah? Me too.” He searched my face, leaning forward again.

“So, let’s connect,” I smiled, meaning it. “What are you going to do about this problem? Tell me what you think might work to fix it.”

He sat back and played with his watch. It gave me a second to study him. He was dressed casually but with style. His jeans were dark and hung well. His sneakers were leather and hip. The T-shirt was tight, but not too tight. And his watch had a large, brown leather strap that screamed testosterone. His hair was cut short and looked great. He had a strong neck and jawline. He glanced over and caught me looking, and I blinked a couple times and turned my attention to the clock. It was 12:45 p.m.

“I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. Being cool, not rock the boat. Show up with a smile and hope that Brendan will take down that wall of his.”

I laughed. “He does have a wall, doesn’t he?”

Tommy made a small noise that said yes without saying the word. He brought both hands up and clasped them behind his head, his torso spreading out as he leaned back in the chair. His T-shirt stretched tight against his chest and his legs opened comfortably in a way that said sex, sex, SEX.

He glanced to my chest making me suddenly aware that my nipples had come to attention without my knowledge. I crossed my arms. “Well, about work and him not supporting you, I hope you’re wrong.” I was covering my embarrassment.

“I hope you’re right,” he smiled.

I stared at him. His eyes stayed on me. The charge in the room could have lit up the San Francisco Opera. I should ask him to leave. I glanced to my book on the coffee table, then back to him. He didn’t falter in his gaze and I felt him everywhere.

After an electric moment longer, I heard myself say, “Tell me more.”

He smiled. “I figure, if I stick around long enough, I’ll win in the end. That’s my plan.”

“I think that’s a good plan,” I said, quietly. “Are we still talking about your job?”

Then I heard the front door and before I realized who it must be, Brendan stormed into the room, looking from me to Tommy like we were both naked and fucking. I straightened up and greeted him a little too quickly. “Well, hello. You’re back early.”

He focused on Tommy. “They moved the meeting to Monday.”

“Oh yeah? That sucks you went all the way down there then.”

I watched them, two men with pistols drawn, standing twenty paces apart. And I was so shocked by what Tommy said that I blurted, “Wait. What? Was there really even a meeting at all?”