Page 34 of Deking at Love
“Doily central,” he guffawed.“I thought we were going to be attacked by deadly doily dolls in the bedroom for a while there.Remember their creepy faces?”
“And then you reached out to inspect one, and they all tumbled off the shelf?We were scrambling to shove them back in place before the adults found out!They never looked right after that.”Angie howled, nearly doubling over with laughter, and Sam was right there with her.
When the laughs fizzled out, the Ice Princess snapped back into place.“I need to finish up here and get home.You should probably go.”
“How much more time do you need?”
She glanced over her shoulder at her paperwork.“Five, ten minutes.”
He brushed a leftover tear from his cheek.“I’ll wait for you and walk you to your car.”
“Not necessary.”
“I know that, but I’m going to anyway, so stop arguing and finish what you gotta do.”He swiped the pink elephant from her desk and began squeezing it, not sure whether to throw it at her or crush the ever-loving foam out of the damn thing.Angie was a frustrating mix of infuriating and irresistible packed in silky blond hair, crystal-blue eyes, and a body made for sin.And being around her these last few weeks was making himacutelyaware of every feminine detail about her.
Fifteen minutes later, he strode beside her as they headed toward an ancient white Pathfinder under a lamp in the deserted parking lot.Sam kept his head on a swivel but didn’t pick up any movement.
He waved a hand at the vehicle.“Is this where you usually park?”
Angie inserted a key in the lock, and the door clicked.“Yes, why?”
“And you walk out here this late by yourself?”
“I don’t always work late.”She tossed her backpack into the back seat.
“But when you do, you’re walking from your office to here.”He looked around.“Where anyone could see you and approach.”
She jutted out a hip and rested her hand on it.“What else am I supposed to do?I can’t Uber in and out every day.”
“How about you don’t work late and leave when everyone else does?Or you move your car closer when you know you’ll be working late?”
She slid into the driver’s seat and looked up at him.“You’re overthinking this.It’s perfectly safe.”She motioned around herself.“Lights and cameras everywhere.”
Resting one arm on the roof of her SUV and the other on top of her door frame, he leaned in.“And you’re taking a lot for granted.Do you carry any protection?”
Her eyes widened with horror.“You mean, like a gun?”
“Or pepper spray.Better yet, bear spray.”
She shook her head.
“I’ll hook you up.”
“With bear spray,” she deadpanned.
“Yep.”Exactly why he was making the promise eluded him.Being around her had a way of shorting out his circuitry.
He shut her car door and stood back while she turned the key in the ignition.The car made a clicking noise.She tried again and got the same sound.
Uh-oh.
After the third attempt, she peered at him through the window with a helpless expression.He motioned for her to pop the hood and stuck his head underneath, using the light on his phone.
Sliding the phone back into his pocket, he opened her door.“I’m pretty sure your battery is toast.I’ve got jumper cables in my truck.Get your stuff, and let’s go get it and get you started.”
“I’ll wait here.”
He didn’t like the idea of leaving her alone.“Come with me.Keep me company.”
