“Wow.” Neve bumped shoulders with her. “Someone’s vocation has been very kind to him.”
“What do you… Oh my.” Nathaniel’s shirt hung limp from the handrail, a crumpled casualty of construction. “Why don’t you… um”—she forced her attention from the fluid curve of his bare spine—“take some money. From the register.” What was the mark on his shoulder? “And wait on food.”
“Hon, you need to step away from the glass.” Neve grabbed her shoulders and twisted her around. “Can you try that again, in complete sentences this time?”
“Sorry.” A step back did wonders for her concentration. “I think the glare distracted me.”
Neve snorted. “Yeah, that glare is something else all right.” Even after she covered her mouth, her shoulders still shook. “Before the sun got in your eyes, what were you saying? About lunch?” She squeezed Chloe’s arm, encouraging her to share in the laugh.
“Oh.” She had mentioned lunch. “I ordered takeout for three from China Doll. Mei’s Mongolian beef is fantastic. I was going to ask you to keep an eye out for the delivery while I made a quick phone call.” Neve opened her mouth, probably to protest the free meal, so Chloe spoke over her. “We can make it a working lunch. I have a couple of ideas for the store I’d like to bounce off someone, and while we’re at it, we can iron out the details for the literacy booth.”
Neve gave her a look that said she didn’t buy Chloe’s excuse for a minute.
“Knock, knock.” Chloe peeked around Neve and found a lanky teen standing on the side staircase while craning her neck to ogle Nathaniel. “Whoa, Ms. Chloe, the scenery has definitely improved around here. Piedmont should award you for hiring him and beautifying the city.”
“
Lin
. He’ll hear you.” Chloe blamed the rush of heat in her cheeks on a gust of humid outside air. Swallowing her mortification, she asked, “How’s summer vacation treating you?”
“My days are numbered.” Her lips thinned. “Mei is sending me to visit Nai Nai next week. Summers are supposed to be fun. Scrapbooking with Grandma? Not so much.”
“Thanks for the quick delivery.” Chloe exchanged a handful of bills for the bag of food.
Lin shoved the cash into her jeans. “Sure thing.” With one last appreciative glance at Nathaniel, she trotted up the alley and across the street, then pushed her way inside the restaurant.
“Oh, man.” Something warm and sticky oozed through Chloe’s fingers. “I must have tilted the containers when I took the bag. There’s sauce everywhere.”
“Here, let me take that. I’ll run upstairs and get the food plated.” Neve stuck a tissue in Chloe’s hand. “Should I set three places?”
“I’m not sure.” She rubbed at her palm. “I didn’t exactly ask either of you before I ordered.” And now she could kick herself for it. “He may not even like Chinese.”
“Well, there’s only one way to find out.” Neve walked past. “Go ask if he’s brave enough to join us.” She chuckled. “And remember to use your words… in complete sentences.”
Chloe steeled herself as she turned. Surely she could keep her tongue rolled up off the floor long enough to ask him a simple question. After all, he was more than a sweaty body. He was special, even if she couldn’t put her finger on the difference in him. It could have been the way his eyes sparkled when he laughed or darkened when he was frustrated. Or sad as it might seem, it could be the way he looked at her like maybe she was special too.
Every sappy movie ever filmed said a person
just knew
when they met their soul mate. Everything clicked into place. Birds chirped, music played, the sun shined. Every ounce of their being said
this one is mine.
Chewing on her thumbnail, she admitted none of those things had happened to her. Little wonder since she had only known Nathaniel a grand total of three days.
With a groan, she admitted this was why she shouldn’t have hired him. One kiss—okay, a few kisses—and she was trying on his last name for size. For someone who hadn’t attended high school, she sure had the right mentality for it. If she didn’t watch herself, she’d start doodling on her receipt books and drawing hearts with his name in their center.
One calming breath later, she pushed every single girly thought aside so she could ask him about his lunch plans and keep a straight face. Approaching the glass front door, she found him sitting on the tailgate of his truck. Shirtless.
Her forehead met the cool glass as she watched, fascinated by the way sun glinted off his sweat-dampened shoulders and pale chest. The way his throat flexed and necklace shifted as he raised a bottle of water and took a deep drink.
He glanced up then and caught her staring, of course. He gave a small wave, which she returned shyly, then tapped his forehead.
Oh. Her nose was still pressed against the glass.
He slid from his perch and navigated the wreckage-lined curb. The door opened and heat filled the cool interior of the store.
“Did you need something?” He traced the top button of her collar with his finger.
Her tongue stuck to the roof of her dry mouth. Luckily, the scent of man and sweat made her salivate. “Are you hungry?”
He dropped his arms and bent down, trailing his nose along the column of her throat. “If I am?” His teeth closed over her pulse and his laughter vibrated through that contact. “What did you have in mind?”
“L-lunch.” Her knees might as well have been wet noodles for all the good they did her. She leaned into his strength to keep herself upright. “I thought you might be hungry. For food.”
“I didn’t notice the time.” He cradled her against him, so close their heartbeats matched rhythms, then kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed you’d made your decision.”
She found the notion of her brain working while in his general vicinity laughable. Her gray matter leaked out her ear whenever he crooked his finger. “I don’t think I follow you.”
“I’m wounded you’ve forgotten my offer so quickly.” He hummed with amusement and she soaked up the delicious vibration working through his chest into hers. “I guess this means you’d rather keep our relationship professional.”
His attempt at leaving didn’t get him far. Her arms, linked around his waist of their own accord, held him in place. “I didn’t say that.”
“So you do want more?”
“I didn’t say that, either.” More meant opening herself up to the probability of getting hurt. Meant as badly as she already wanted him, she would be accepting an invitation to pain.
After Nathaniel left, and he would leave once his job was done, Chloe would be alone again, emptier than ever. Every day the sight of the porch Nathaniel had built would drive a nail deeper into her heart.
“I’m being impatient.” He shook his head and stepped back. “I won’t push you again.”
“You’re fine.” Better than fine. “It’s not your fault I’m more of a looker than a leaper.” She caught his arm before he headed to his truck. “Do you want to join me and Neve for lunch?”
His lips curved in a pleased smile. “I’d like that.”
“It’s nothing fancy, some Chinese from across the street.”
“I’m easy to please.”
Lately, so was she. “My kitchen is on the small side.” The daydream where she sat across the table from a half-naked Nathaniel evaporated. “We could eat in the living room, I guess. The coffee table is probably big enough for the three of us.”
“No, don’t put yourself out. I should probably eat outside as it is. I’ve already gotten you sweaty, but furniture is harder to clean than a shirt.” He stroked a finger down her arm. “Besides, I stink.”
She bit her bottom lip. He smelled spicy, exotic… edible.
“I’ll wash up around back if you don’t mind.”
“No problem.” She pointed over his shoulder. “Head down the alley. The faucet’s around back and there’s a bench under the elm tree. If you’d like to eat there, Neve can bring your food out to you.”
“Thanks. I think I’ll do that.” Gravel crunched underfoot as he left, giving her a perfect view of the silver mark on his shoulder.
“And why, I wonder, won’t
you
bring my food,
meira
?”
Her mouth opened, then closed. Instead of helping him understand, she held her secret locked in her throat. If he hung around long enough, he would discover her condition eventually. If he didn’t, then she saw no reason to tarnish his memory with her reality.
While Nathaniel splashed water on his face and hands, a chill swept up his spine. Ingrained fight-or-flight reflexes swamped him with adrenaline he would have once used to power his liftoff. Now it made him anxious for his shears. Their absence from his hip made him antsy.
He closed the faucet and waited. His visitor didn’t take long to make his presence known.
“She’s very pretty.” Saul stepped from the shadows, and sunlight glinted from the silver pendant lying against his chest. His wings were a glittery outline, visible only to their kin.
Foreboding tightened Nathaniel’s gut. “I suppose.” He remained neutral as they strolled toward the picnic table.
Reaching the bench first, Saul sat in the deepest shade. “Is she yours?”
The simple question had such a complex answer. “Not exactly.”
“I knew something was up. I said to myself, ‘Self, Nathaniel never does anything without a reason.’ ” He dusted the tabletop with a swipe of his hand. “I couldn’t figure out what yours could possibly be.”
“So you followed me.” Nathaniel sat at the far end of the opposite bench, where sunlight could warm his chilled insides. “Next time, try not to go for the obvious.” He grinned through the uneasy feeling of having a harvester so close to Chloe. “The church’s bell tower, really?”
“It was high and cool. Besides, you’ve known me long enough to sense when I’m near.” Saul rested his elbows on the table. “So, tell me. Why are you here, really?”
“I’ve already told you, I’m burned out.” Nathaniel should have expected Saul wouldn’t let the matter drop without further argument. “I wanted a break, a little normalcy for a while.”
Saul drummed his fingers. “So why not stay at the Order’s compound?”
“I wanted a change of pace.”
“Fair enough.” His gaze soaked up their surroundings. “This is a nice spot for a vacation. Quiet. Two pretty women to keep you entertained.” Saul smiled. “I didn’t know you had it in you.”
Nathaniel’s fingers curled into his palms. “It’s nice enough.”
A woman’s low singing halted their conversation.
“Chloe said to—” Neve paused as she glanced between them. “Oh, I didn’t know you had a guest.” She flashed Saul a hesitant smile. “Should I divide this up?”
She set a simple plate on the tabletop with a tall glass of sweet tea beside it.
Saul stroked the back of her hand as she withdrew. “No, pet, I’m not hungry.” His eyes said otherwise as they roved appreciatively over her body.
Blood drained from Neve’s face. “I should get back to Chloe. Let me know if you change your mind.”
Saul ran his finger along the rim of Nathaniel’s glass. “Yes. I think that’s a fine idea. I’ll keep my brother company. Don’t you worry your pretty little head about it.”
Neve’s knees seemed locked in place.
“Are you all right?” Nathaniel touched her forearm and she flinched.
“I think it’s the heat.” She laughed in easy dismissal. “I haven’t lived here long enough to build up immunity to it.”
He didn’t believe her for a minute. “Would you like me to walk you inside?”
“Oh no, you have company. Enjoy your visit.” She left with a brittle smile poised on the breaking point.
“Pity she’s too skittish for my taste.” Saul speared a piece of beef with Nathaniel’s fork, then popped it into his mouth. “So,” he said around a mouthful of food, “what are you doing here? I take it the blonde isn’t the one holding your attention. The brunette, then?”
“I’ve taken a job here.” Working in plain sight had invited Saul’s interest, which was unfortunate. Nathaniel owned up to part of his reason for being here, hoping the other part remained private.
Saul almost choked. “You’re joking.” His eyes widened. “What is she paying you?”
Nathaniel didn’t answer.
“She is paying you something, right?” The fork fell from his hand. “Money? Sex? Her firstborn child?” He paused. “That last bit was a joke, by the way.”
Still no answer.
“I can’t believe this. You’re building a mortal woman a porch?” He took a drink. “It’s a supreme waste of your time and talent.”
“It’s my time to spend.”
“True enough, but still. There has to be more to this story than you’re telling me. Since when are there secrets between us?”
On Nathaniel’s side, this was the first.
“Interesting.” Saul glanced up, drawing Nathaniel’s attention toward the upper windows. “Why hello there.” He waved at Chloe.
She frowned down at Saul, and the look she gave him disquieted Nathaniel.
“You know,” Saul said thoughtfully, returning her stare. “You could have prettier women for far less work than this one.”
Chloe’s imperfections, her personality quirks, made her attractive. Her stubborn, too-sharp chin and the sparkling intelligence in her wide-set eyes captivated him.
“You haven’t done something foolish, have you?” Saul wiped his mouth with the paper napkin stolen from beneath the now-empty plate.
Cold sweat trickled down Nathaniel’s back. Few knew him and how to interpret his silences as well as Saul. Fewer still had his brother’s nose for ferreting out gossip.
“You have.” Saul gloated. “Well, well, this day wasn’t a total wash after all. My brother—enamored of a mortal.” He stood. “I never thought the day would come.”
Neither had he and he couldn’t afford to admit to it. “Have you seen Bran today?”
It was not the most subtle change of topic.
“I saw him this morning.” He brushed lint from his shirt. “He’s still stable, isn’t he?”
“Yes, he is.” Nathaniel refrained from pointing out if Saul had visited Bran, then he wouldn’t have to ask about his condition now. How easily the lies fell from Saul’s mouth. When had Nathaniel started counting them? Worse, when had he started expecting them? “When I called the Order earlier, Hannah told me Bran has nerve damage, but the extent is unknown.”