Page 27 of Tricked in October
His stomach muscles tensed. Instantly his mind was at attention, replaying the vivid moment from the night in the bar’s office. The overwhelming scent of her hair, the powerful heat transferring from their bodies as they inched closer. He mentally tried to prepare himself for what was to come. The mention of that exact awkward moment and how it shouldn’t have happened, how itcouldn’thappen again, and that it meant nothing. Nothing more than friendship anyway.
Davis let out a low, shaky breath before bending over and snatching up his measuring tape. “Yeah? What about?”
He busied himself with the measuring of the kitchen cabinets. Maybe if he kept himself preoccupied his reaction to her words wouldn’t be as noticeable. He’d be prepared for the blow.
But when she didn’t speak, he took a risk and glanced at her over his shoulder. She looked small sitting on the step, knees tucked to her chest, and her lower lip hidden between her teeth. Her dark hair was messy and wind-blown but swept away from her face.
With her eyes downcast, a pang hit him in the center of his chest and a sudden over protectiveness washed over him. He hung his head and set the measuring tape down before shuffling to the step and sitting next to her. Cooper joined them, propping a head on his knee and he couldn’t resist petting the dog’s head. He half expected Kelsey to rest her head on his shoulder and burst into tears. But he was grateful she didn’t. He didn’t fully trust he would console her in a friendly way. And they were just friends.
Wrapping her arms around her knees, she stared in the space in front of her. “So, I finally went and spoke with the O’Henrys. They can’t afford to help to get me back on track with the loans.”
Davis filled his cheeks with air before releasing it in a puff of unbelief. Partly his relief was the result of Kelsey’s topic of conversation. The last thing he wanted to do was discuss them and what went down between them.
Forcing himself to focus on her and the issue with the bar, he didn’t look at her out of fear of distraction. He knew far too well Kelsey wouldn’t want his pity. She came here for a solution. But did he have it to give?
“So what now?” He allowed a peek at her from the corner of his eye as she turned sideways on the step to face him. The sight of her worriment was enough to zone in.
“I made an appointment to meet with my accountant tomorrow afternoon,” she said, tucking her hair behind her ears.
“That’s good.”
Cooper finally relaxed, laying down on the floor and closed his eyes for another nap.
“Mr. O’Henry also said he’d call a lawyer friend of his and see if there’s any kind of loophole, you know…since the owner of the business died.”
He nodded along with her as she continued to speak, not able to look at her once again.
“It’s not an answer, but it’s a start.”
“Can you afford a lawyer?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
“No. But hopefully this guy will do it as a favor to Mr. O’Henry? I’m not really sure. He’s located in Denver and since this is a local bar, I can’t see him being passionate enough to help.”
He nudged his knee into hers. “C’mon, you don’t know that.”
“Besides doing it as a favor to Jack, why would he want to help a mother of three small children save a bar?” She laughed sarcastically, the sound dying in her throat.
“It’s not just a bar. It’s a restaurant. It’s a business. Your family business and your livelihood. He’ll get that.”
“Maybe…”
Davis would offer to help. In any way he could. Including financially. But it was pointless. Kelsey was too proud to ask for help, never mind accept it. Most importantly from him. Yet, he couldn’t keep himself from at least trying.
“Let me help.”
She sat up straight, her face going stony. “You are helping. By being my friend, and letting me vent.”
“That’s not what I was referring to.”
Her eyes went wide, and her brows rose. “I know what you were referring to and the answer is no.”
“C’mon, Kels. Quit being so proud—”
“It’s a big fat NO,” she cut him off. “And it has nothing to do with pride. With a dead-beat father who skipped town when I was little and an alcoholic mama, I’d say that ship sailed a long time ago.”
She stood and he did too, rubbing his suddenly sweaty palms down the fronts of his Carhartt’s. Cooper sat up, noticing the shift in the air, and studying Kelsey as she paced the living room hardwood floor.
Davis crossed his arms, watching her as well. “Okay, stubborn ass. If it isn’t pride, what is it then?”
