throbbing.
“You’ll have to excuse my big brother,” Zach whispered, making her jump. “It’s a cop thing—always on duty. He doesn’t mean to be so...antisocial. Don’t take it personally or let Patton get you worked up, Cady.”
She stared at her plate, hoping it wasn’t evident how worked up she was. “It takes a lot to get me worked up.”
“Zach—” They were interrupted by well-wishers, who drew Bianca and Zach to their feet and animated conversation. Cady dropped the toast point she’d been fiddling with, trying not to look at Patton.
Patton was staring at her when she looked up. “A lot?”
She grinned her crooked grin and lifted her olive-laden toothpick to her mouth.
His nostrils flared and he stared up at the ceiling.
She couldn’t help it—she giggled.
He stared at her then, breaking into a smile that was startling. And utterly breathtaking. He seemed to relax when she put the toothpick back in her drink.
“How’s work?” he asked. “Still putting out fires?”
She shrugged. “Too many fires. Started by the boss’s son. You? Rounding up the bad guys?” She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.
His attention settled on her arms. “Be a hell of a lot easier if they’d wear black hats.”
She heard the frustration in his voice. “I know you’re a cop but...what division? Or is it department?”
His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. “I work narcotics.”
“Drugs?” She sat back, crossing her arms over her waist. She knew the cable crime shows she watched when she couldn’t sleep at night didn’t compare to what the reality was like. But still. “So you must have a hell of a workout regime? Or some over-the-top hobby?” She watched him frown and explained, “To decompress? I’d imagine there’s a lot to decompress from?”
He tapped his fingers on the table, nodding once.
“Play piano?” she asked.
He arched an eyebrow. “Used to.”
“Used to?”
His eyes narrowed slightly before he looked back at the rest of the room.
“You’re just as loquacious as I remember,” she murmured.
He chuckled a little, though his eyes continued their sweep of the room. His fingers kept up their tapping.
Bianca and Zach shifted, adding chairs at their table—which pushed Cady closer to Patton. Cady chatted away, making every effort not to acknowledge the man sitting silently, driving her crazy, two feet away. She’d almost completely forgotten him when she ate her first olive. Patton stood up so quickly, he nearly knocked his chair over backward. He didn’t say a thing as he headed out of the room.
Conversation stopped, all eyes on his retreating figure.
“What did you do to him?” Bianca asked.
Cady stared at her friend. “What are you talking about?”
Bianca shot her a disbelieving look and waited.
Cady shook her head. “What?” She pulled another olive from her toothpick. “I didn’t do anything to Patton.” Today. But...today wasn’t over yet.
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