He could tell from her expression what she thought about being separated from her boy. “So, you’re free this week?” Because, ever since he’d seen her with her client, he’d been working on an idea.
But before she could answer, heels clicked on the smooth concrete floor. They both turned at the same time.
Lori, in tight black jeans and five-inch high heels came sauntering over to him with a blazing white smile. In a million years, he’d never understand why such a fancy, cheerful woman would go out with him.
“Hey, there.”
Her scent billowed in the air around him. He felt the twitch in his nostrils before he let out a loud sneeze.
She didn’t care. Nothing got Lori Von Hausen down. She wrapped her arm around him and leaned in for a kiss. Not an air kiss, not a quick peck—no, Lori didn’t do anything halfway. Cupping his jaw, she turned him toward her and planted her wet mouth on his.
Too aware of her presence, he cut a look toward Skylar—because he’d been in love with that woman for nearly two years before finally getting her message: nope. No way in hell.
You can fuck right off.
While rubbing the lipstick off his mouth with her thumb, Lori extended a hand toward Skylar. “Hi. I’m Lori. Jinx’s girlfriend.”
Girlfriend? We’re just—
But before he could finish his thought, he noticed Skylar’s reaction.
The feisty, spunky woman with more confidence in her pinkie than most people had in their whole bodies stood there with her jaw hanging open, shocked and…
He was going to have to say hurt, because there was no other interpretation of her expression.
He got the first part. Lori could do a hell of a lot better than his moody ass. But the hurt? That, he didn’t get.
But, then, the woman he’d put down roots for reached out and shook Lori’s hand. “I’m Skylar.” She seemed off her mark, because after a couple beats of silence she said, “I’m Griffin’s sister.” She motioned, like she was trying to circulate the air. “The owner of this…shop. Jinx watched my son this afternoon, and I wanted to thank him. I’m not…he’s…”
“You did?” Lori’s smile faltered. She gave him a look that said, You didn’t tell me that.
“Griff was supposed to do it,” Skylar said. “But he got a shipment of bikes in.” She looked to Jinx for confirmation.
He shrugged. Why would he have told Lori his plans? Griffin had asked for his help, and he’d gone.
“Motorcycles in winter?” Lori looked confused.
“For the expo in Idaho Falls.” He’d already told her about that. They had a booth, and Jinx would be talking to potential customers about his designs.
“Okay, well, I should go,” Skylar said. “Anyhow, I just wanted to thank you for helping out.”
She started off, and his damn heart started pounding. Don’t go.
But that was a residual response. He’d shut that door two months ago. Well, the moment Lori had walked in. “Hold up. You said you’re free this week?”
Skylar nodded. “I am.”
He set the rag down. “I’ve got a favor to ask.”
She eyed him warily.
“What you did with your client? My mom could use that.”
“A make-over?”
“Yeah. She’s…” How did he explain? “In a rut. I’ve bought her things—a condo, a new car, but it doesn’t change anything. She’s still just going through the motions. I think what she’d really like is to feel good about herself again.”
Her features softened. “Send her in. I’d be happy to work with her.”
“That is so sweet.” Lori slipped her arm through his. “You’re such a great guy.”
He could actually see the effort it took Skylar to tear her incredulous gaze off Lori.
“Let’s set up an appointment,” Skylar said. “I look forward to meeting her.”
“She lives in Vegas,” he said.
“Oh. Okay…are you thinking of flying her out here?” Skylar seemed confused.
“I’m not sure she’d go for it. She works long hours in the ER. Can I bring you to her?”
“You want me to go to Vegas?”
“You said you’re free this week.”
“I am, but I need to be here for Rocco.”
He probably shouldn’t push. He hadn’t even pitched the idea to his mom. “Isn’t Rocco going to be in Aspen?”
“Well, yes, but…”
“If anything happened, I’d fly you out to him.”
“I don’t know.”
His mother would never ask for help, but their Sunday evening phone calls were tough on him. The exhaustion in her voice, the lack of anything in her life to talk about other than work. Not even a pet. Just work, a frozen dinner, TV, and bed. Same thing, day after day.
Now that he’d seen the effect Skylar had on her client, heard her inspiring words, he wanted that for his mom. More than he’d wanted anything in a long damn time.
He supposed, if he had a hope in hell, he’d have to tell the whole story. “My, uh, my dad was career Army.” He snatched up the rag, just for something to do with his hands. “He died during his eleventh deployment. It was hard on my mom, but to be honest, she was used to him not being around. My brother, though…they were close.” That familiar dark cloud loomed, threatening to engulf him, so he forced himself to think about how Skylar could help.
If anyone could get through to her, it would be this woman. “He and his buddies rode their bikes to my dad’s funeral. A truck driver high on heroin mowed them down.”
Lori rubbed his arm. “Oh, baby.”
He swallowed past the painful knot in his throat. He never talked about his brother. Never. “We had two funerals, back to back. My mom hasn’t been the same. She needs more than new clothes and a haircut.” Though, she could use both. “The things you said to that lady? That’s what she needs to hear. Will you do it?” An impulsive idea had turned into the most important thing in his life. “Please?”
Everything in her softened with compassion. “Yeah, Jinx. I’ll do it. Rocco’s grandparents are coming to get him at five in the morning, so I can be ready any time after that. Although, last minute tickets might cost a lot. I’ll have to check into flights.”
“First of all, I’m paying for everything. But, secondly, we’re not flying.” He grinned. “It’s a road trip.”
He has a girlfriend.
A gorgeous, nice, happy girlfriend.
Skylar’d had a good twelve hours to accept the fact that Jinx didn’t want her anymore. That he’d found someone else. Probably someone less encumbered.
Someone who didn’t constantly reject him.
Shame blazed a path down her spine. She’d been awful to him.
And, the thing was, he’d never been anything but kind to her. So what if he’d asked her out a couple times? Sure, he lit up when he saw her, took every opportunity to sit next to her, but he’d never pushed for anything.
And, still, she’d been a bitch—just because he’d shown interest in her.
So, it shouldn’t hurt that he no longer wanted her.