Well Suited (Red Lipstick Coalition #4)(17)

A laugh escaped me. “All right. Let me know the date and time, and I’ll make it work. Can we ride together?”

“If you’d like.”

“I’d like.”

Another perfunctory nod. “All right. As always, it’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Theodore.”

She didn’t offer her hand, which I mourned. But, after her comment about my pheromones and her personal space, I figured it was a precautionary measure.

In fairness, I didn’t know how I’d resist her pheromones either. So, I’d give her the distance she’d asked for regardless of how I hated it. Every molecule in my body wanted to invade the eighteen inches of air around her.

But I wouldn’t. Not until she asked.

And she’d ask. Once I proved myself, once she figured out how she felt, she’d ask.

Until then, I’d stay thirsty and pray.

“Want to stay for dinner?” I asked, hoping I’d schooled the hope in my voice. “My mom really wants to meet you, and Tommy and Amelia will be there.”

But she shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I’ve been on my feet all day, and I’d really like to lie down. Plus, I can only eat beige food.”

My brow quirked. “Beige food?”

“Yes—mashed potatoes, chicken nuggets, mac and cheese, oatmeal, hashed browns, plain pasta, crackers, bananas, toast, rice. As long as it’s beige, it stays exactly where it’s supposed to. The second I introduce color, blort.” She motioned with her hand, indicating an exodus from her mouth.

“The beige diet. Sounds like every toddler’s dream.”

“I’m a little concerned I’m going to go into carb shock. But I’ll take anything over vomiting. There’s nothing so exquisitely disgusting and traumatizing as throwing up. And I’ve done enough of that in the last few days to last me for quite some time.”

For a moment, I watched her as she stood straight and proud in my office. Her little nose was up in the air, just enough to make her look discerning, her shoulders square. The effect jutted her breasts out, framed by her arms, her hands clasped in front of her hips.

God, she was pretty without even trying. Her eyes were lined with thick black lashes, her lips curved and wide. She was sensual without realizing, without intention.

Which made her all that much more beautiful.

“Well, I’ll be going then,” she said. “Thank you again. For…for everything.” A flush rose in her cheeks, her eyes suddenly shining. It was emotion, a foreign thing on her stoic face.

“No, thank you,” I insisted. “For trusting me. For agreeing to something so unorthodox.”

A smile, small and delicate. “Well, we aren’t really the orthodox type, are we?”

And with a laugh, I agreed.

I escorted her through the house and out the front door, waiting in the doorway to watch her walk away.

Oh, how I hated watching her walk away. But soon, I wouldn’t have to.

With a deep sigh, I closed the front door, slipping my hands in the pockets of my slacks. I heard Ma’s TV on in her room and was grateful for the privacy she’d afforded Katherine and me. I’d been terrified I’d spook her, run her off for good. But to my absolute shock, she’d come over here just to say yes. I’d thought I’d be chasing her around for months.

Logic and reason for the win.

The doorbell rang, and I paused, glancing over my shoulder. My first thought was of Katherine, the hope that she’d changed her mind and decided to stay paramount.

But instead of Katherine, I found a big-eyed Amelia on my stoop with my smirking brute of a brother behind her.

“How did it go?” she asked, bouncing a little on the balls of her feet.

“She said yes,” I answered with a smile too big to be considered anything but a grin.

At that, she shot off her feet in a squeal and into my arms. “Oh, I’m so glad, Theo. I knew she’d come around.”

I chuckled and set her down. “Come on in. I need a drink.”

They filed in, and I closed the door, beelining for the booze. I poured a scotch for each of us, grabbed them by the rims in one hand, and headed into the living room.

“Well, tell us what happened,” Tommy said as he took it. “Melia’s been watching out the front window for Katherine to leave for twenty minutes.”

She nodded emphatically. “It’s true.”

I laughed and took a drink. “It went as expected. Better, I guess, since she didn’t refuse. She had a list of rules, and I got her to agree to see me once a week so we can get to know each other before she moves in.”

“Oh, smart, Theo,” Amelia said with an approving nod.

“Thank you.” I tipped my glass in her direction before taking a sip. “Her first doctor’s appointment is next week. We’re going together.”

Amelia frowned. “You know they’re going to…you know…check her out, right?” She waggled her fingers in the direction of her hips.

“I figured that was what she meant when she mentioned a pelvic exam.”

“Don’t you think that’ll be a little weird? You seeing a doctor…you know.” Her cheeks were a brilliant shade of red.

“I’m sure they see enough vaginas to be completely desensitized. And I’m quite familiar with hers. I’m not going to miss the opportunity to hear the baby’s heartbeat.”