Page 17 of Unhinged

Luke knew exactly what he was asking, but he played dumb. “What story?”

“With the broad. I’ve seen you with women, so what’s different about this one?”

“I told you, she hates me.”

“Nah.” Knox shook his head. “There’s more to the story. Why do you want out so bad?”

“She bit my head off before I even introduced myself.” Luke shrugged.

“You give her that stupid smile?”

Luke lifted a brow. “What smile?”

“That same asinine smile you just gave the bartender. The one that has women falling over themselves to get to you.”

Was it that obvious?

Knox took his silence as agreement, and he shook his head. “I’m going to guess that’s a yes. She’s smart, right?” He didn’t give Luke a chance to respond. “She’s probably used to fighting her way to the top, and there’s nothing worse than being undermined by some guy who thinks he’s better than everyone else.”

Luke opened his mouth to protest, but Knox held up a hand. “You have sisters, don’t you?”

At Luke’s nod, Knox continued. “Just like with Vivi—I want the best for her, someone who will always be around when she needs him.”

“I’m putting down some roots here. Not like we’ll be overseas anymore.” Luke’s words came out terse, more combative than he’d originally intended, but he couldn’t stem the need to defend himself.

“No,” he agreed, “but we’ll always follow the job, whenever and wherever we’re needed. It’s what we do. Dr. Whitmore strikes me as the type of woman who needs stability. Do us both a favor and cut her loose before anyone gets hurt.”

Easier said than done. There was something about her that drew him in. Despite their encounter yesterday, she intrigued me. Maybe he had a point. Did he want a relationship? he’d spent the past dozen years chasing the newest adrenaline rush, not bothering to form any kind of real attachment. He did his own thing, came and went as he pleased. But now it all seemed a little… shallow.

He thought of his parents, now going on their thirty-eighth wedding anniversary. Things hadn’t been perfect growing up, but he’d always admired them. They’d made it through plenty of tough times with him and his two sisters, and they were probably more in love with each other now than they were thirty years ago. Someday he wanted to do the same—find a nice girl to settle down with, someone who could put up with his crazy family.

Knox slipped the key into the lock and pushed open the door. Instead of mildew, the scent of fresh paint and new carpet assaulted his nose.

Luke glanced around the newly renovated lobby. “Which office is yours?”

Knox pointed down the hallway. “Last one on the left.”

He peered into each office as he passed before pausing at the end. “Mind if I take the one across the hall?” He flipped on the light and strode toward the center of the room. A single office chair sat to one side, a cardboard box propped on the seat.

Knox smirked. “I guessed well.” He gestured to the box. “Cards for you and new shirts.”

Luke lifted an eyebrow. “Shirts?”

“Marketing.”

Luke pulled the polo from the box and studied the thick color-blocking stripe across the chest and shoulders. “There’s no way I’m wearing this.”

Knox rolled his eyes. “What’s wrong with it? Our colors are blue and black.”

“That is purple. And I’m not wearing it.”

“You will if I say you will.”

Luke glared at his friend. “I really hate you sometimes. You know that, right?”

“Yep.” A grin spread over Knox’s face. “The color’s terrible, isn’t it? It doesn’t look anything like the color in the catalogue.”

Luke scowled. “That color should be illegal.”