Inked by an Angel (11 page)

“So, they don’t have salad at those places?” Uri asked.

Everyone looked at him. He was serious. “What? Isn’t that what you vegetarian types eat? Rabbit food? That’s all I see you eat at lunch anyway. But whatever. You guys pick something then if you don’t like my idea.”

“How about Thai? You like Asian food, Steve?” Kyle suggested, making sure she looked him in the face so he could read her lips.

“Thai’s great.” He waited until the girls were ready to head out the door. “So, how’s Cody?” he asked Bethany.

“Who’s Cody?” Uri asked, but didn’t seem at all interested in the answer.

Bethany shot him a wounded look. “My son. I only talk about him all the time.” She turned back to Steve. “He’s fine, thanks. He was asking about you today. I guess you promised him a pitching lesson?”

“I did. I’ll come by and see him tomorrow.”

She smiled as he held open the passenger door of his car for her. “He’d like that.”

Uri watched them and nodded before taking off to his car without a backward glance or offering to drive Kyle to the restaurant. “I’ll follow y’all there.”

“Oh, uh, okay.” But before she knew it, she was standing in front of the bakery alone. Good thing she knew how to get to the restaurant.

She slid into her car and started the engine. A small, sadistic part of her wondered what would happen if she went home. Bethany seemed to be getting on just fine with Steve. He might be deaf, but come on, the man was hot! And he obviously only had eyes for Bethany.

She caught a glimpse of herself in the rearview mirror. No, she’d go. She’d gotten all dressed up for a date. She was fighting her way back from a heartbreak and she wasn’t going to let Charles keep her down. Jed, either, for that matter. It was time for her to get out there again and start living. Dating. Even if this first one was a major dud. Plus, she was doing it for her friend. Yes, she convinced herself, she was being ‘the good friend.’ She mentally patted herself on the back.

She drove to the restaurant and found Bethany and Steve easily enough at their table inside. A man with a slick head at the next table had her steps faltering. Her heart thundered into her throat.
No. Not here. Not now.

“What’s wrong?” Bethany’s eyes clouded with concern.

“Nothing. Where’s Uri?” But she was lying. Something was wrong. Her relief was palpable as the bald man turned and went from being Jed to being a middle-aged grandfather with his family. But in the space of those few seconds, all she could think about were the feelings he stirred deep within her. Strange and confusing feelings. Like the night he was so protective of her when the junkie was looking for a fix. And how he looked at her when Charles left her there sobbing.

Gentry men break women’s hearts
. He’d said it himself. He’d warned her away.

Bethany’s brows drew together. “We thought he was with you. Didn’t you ride together?”

Kyle steadied her thoughts. “No. He took off in his car.”

Steve glanced around the restaurant, concerned. “I hope nothing happened to him. Do you have his cell number?”

“Yeah.” Bethany pulled out her phone and dialed. After a moment she looked relieved when he answered. “Uri? Where are you?” She plugged her free ear with a finger as she listened. Her face registered confusion, then surprise, and finally agitation. “So, are you still planning on joining us for dinner?”

“What?” Steve’s eyes narrowed.

“Okay.” Bethany listened a minute longer then hung up. She looked at Kyle. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know he was such a jerk. He seemed so nice at school.”

“What happened?”

She took a deep breath as if to calm herself and made sure Steve could see her lips. “Apparently, he stopped to meet some friends at a bar down the road. But it’s just for
one
drink. He’ll be here in ten minutes.”

“I don’t believe it!” Steve smacked the table with a hand. He turned to Kyle. “He should never have done this to you. It’s not right.”

Kyle waved a hand. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not your fault.”

Bethany covered her hand with her own. “I feel terrible. Let me pay for your dinner at least.”

“Oh, no—”

“Absolutely not,” Steve interrupted. “I’m paying for both of your meals. That prick can go to hell. And if he bothers to show up, I’ll tell him so myself.”

Both women turned to look at him. Kyle already thought he seemed great. Now she was sure of it. She hoped that Bethany was starting to see him in a different light because the guy deserved a break.

An hour later, as Steve was settling the bill, Uri came stumbling in the restaurant. “Hey, guys, sorry I’m late. Did you save me any?” He sat heavily in the seat next to Kyle and set his hand in her lap.

“What the . . .?” Kyle sputtered and tried to scoot away.

“I didn’t mean to be so long. Old friends catching up, you know how it goes.” He looked over at Steve who was putting away his wallet. “What do I owe you for my lady’s food?”

Steve shook his head. “It’s taken care of.” He stood. “Are you ready, ladies?”

Bethany stood up.

Kyle tried to, but Uri held her shoulders. But, if she didn’t know better, she would’ve thought he’d never touched a woman before. It must’ve been the liquor.

Steve stepped in and pulled his hands off. “Watch it, buddy. You’re asking for trouble.”

Kyle stood and grabbed her purse. She quickly followed Bethany and Steve outside.

Bumbling Uri wasn’t far behind. “Hey, doll,” he said, slurring. “Wanna come back to my place?”

“I’ll pass.” She clicked the unlock button.

Steve came over, Bethany close behind. “Listen, man, what’s your problem?”

Uri turned around. “No problem. Just having a conversation. It doesn’t concern you.”

Bethany moved in to offer reinforcement. “Uri, I don’t know what’s gotten into you, but you’re acting like a jerk tonight. Why don’t you go on home and sober up? We can talk about it later.”

Uri glanced at Steve, gauging his reaction. He turned back to Bethany. “So, if your friend isn’t gonna put out tonight,
you
wanna come home with me?”

Steve’s lips mouthed Uri’s words:
Put out. Come home with me.
Comprehension dawned on his face, and without a moment’s hesitation he balled his fist and knocked Uri to the ground with a mean right hook.

Jed looked around his dining room table and wondered how poker night had become
Revenge-of-the-Nerds
Night. He sipped his beer and pinpointed the guilty party over the top of his cards.

Michael grinned, having no concept of a poker face at all. Jed wasn’t sure why he’d let Mike bring his friends, other than he’d caught him in a weak moment, and he’d said yes just to get out of the studio quickly and away from the two women who were making him feel trapped like flesh-and-blood iron maidens.

Jed studied the other men around the table as everyone placed their bets. Now talk about poker face; Noble could teach lessons. “I’ll raise.” He threw down a five-dollar chip.

The other men didn’t flinch, as one met the bet and one folded.

Mike had brought the same couple of dudes he’d met at his place a few weeks ago. A pair of yuppie types in polo shirts and slacks—he said he’d met them at AA and they were his sponsors or something. Jed was trying to be respectful, though he thought they could all unwind a little.

Now, the third guy, he was an odd duck. Uri, weird name. He looked like a throwback to the sixties, and he was so skinny Jed wanted to feed him something. Mike said he was new to AA, so he guessed the liquor had made him that way.

“Uri.” Jed studied the guy who was sporting a pretty good shiner to his left eye. “Your bet.”

“Oh, right.” He studied his cards. “I’ll fold then. Bad hand.”

Everyone left with cards showed their hands. Noble, Mr. Poker Face himself, took the pot.

“Good hand, Noble.” Michael smiled. “I would’ve never guessed.”

Noble shrugged as he pulled the discarded cards toward him and began to shuffle for the next hand.

Jed rose and grabbed himself another beer. “Anybody want a drink? I’ve got plenty of water and sodas.”

Nobody accepted. He took a minute to grab a bag of pretzels.

Michael scooped up the cards being dealt to him without looking Jed in the eye. “How are things going with Miz O’Neill working for you, Jed?”

Mike and all his buddies seemed to tense up as they waited for his answer. They were some weird dudes. “Pretty good.” He popped the bag open and grabbed a handful of pretzels.

Mike’s friend Gabe piped up. “Michael tells us she’s a CPA? Would you recommend her services?” He studied Jed with serious eyes. “I’m looking for someone.”

A strange possessive surge rushed through him, but he banked it. Kyle was free to work for whomever she wanted to. “Yeah, sure. She’s great.” He took a drink. “She keeps the numbers in order even though the IRS is hounding me this year. Ask Mike. His books were shit before she came along.”

Gabe continued to pin him with an almost otherworldly stare. “It sounds like she’s worked very hard for the two of you. Has she not?”

Jed couldn’t look away. It was like the guy was reading his mind. “Sure.”

Noble shoved his chair back from the table, altering the moment’s intensity. “I gotta piss.”

What the hell just happened?

Michael cleared his throat. “So, I was thinking . . .”

Ah, Mike was thinking. That wasn’t always good. “What were you thinking?”

“Well, before Miz O’Neill worked for you, I bought her lunch and that cute little case for her glasses. You know, to thank her for all the hard work. And now, she’s working doubly hard on both of our books, and doing a great job, I might add, so I don’t think it would be a bad idea for
you
to do something to show your appreciation.”

Jed sat there a moment, digesting this. “But we
pay
her. It’s her job. People don’t buy us gifts for doing their tattoos.”

“I know that. But she works for us every day, all day. Think of it like a bonus. I think it’s a good idea.” He looked around at his
compadres
.

Gabe and Rafe both nodded their agreement.

Uri spoke up. “It sounds reasonable. If she’s earned it, it makes good business sense, too. It could help keep a good employee. The little extra touches count, especially with women.” He wiggled his brows.

Noble ambled back in and sat down. “What’s this about women?”

“Thank God you’re back.” Jed looked to him for backup. “They think I should give Kyle something to thank her for her hard work.”

“A bonus,” Michael clarified. “It doesn’t have to be a gift.”

“You could take her to dinner,” Gabe offered with a smile. “It can be as simple as that.”

“Gee, thanks.” Jed shot him a dry look.

Noble gave a half-shrug. “I don’t think it’s such a bad idea. Why not, dude? She’s been working damn hard on that audit crap lately.”

Michael smiled triumphantly.

“Let’s just play.” Jed picked up his cards and ignored them. Get her a gift or take her to dinner. They were ludicrous. And to top it off, he had a shitty hand.

They played a couple more rounds. Noble won them both, lucky bastard. Just to goad him and to make himself feel better, Jed decided to pick. “Hey, Noble. How’d your date go the other night? You never told me who you went out with either. Why so secretive?”

Noble tipped back his beer and shot him a withering sneer. “Fine, and none of your damn business.”

“Did you even speak to the poor girl, Tonto?”

Noble ignored him while the rest of his guests looked on in question.

“Hey. Pssst. Noble.”

Noble glanced at him with narrowed, black eyes. Jed grinned. “Was it your cute little neighbor girl? When can I meet her?”

“Hey. Pssst. Whitey,” Noble mimicked in a whisper. “Unless you want Kierstan’s face tattooed on your forehead, you’d better back the hell up.”

Jed laughed. “All right, fine. Sorry, bro. Didn’t know you were so touchy.”

They all picked up their cards and carried on with the game of five card stud at hand. Finally, Michael won a round. In his excitement, he turned to Uri. “Speaking of dates, how was yours last night?”

Uri sat straight up in his chair before he answered. Rafe and Gabe exchanged quick, but obvious, glances. Jed wondered if Mike knew what strange people he was friends with. “Oh, uh, right. My date.” Uri smiled a little too big. “It was
great
! She was beautiful. And smart. Sexy, really sexy.” He flicked a nervous glance to Jed before turning back to his cards.

“That’s so lucky for you!” Michael chimed in. “It was a blind date?”

“Yes, yes it was.”

“And who set you up? On this blind date you went on. Last night.”

Uri chugged a gulp of his water. The poor guy was turning beet red. And this whole conversation was just too strange. It sounded rehearsed and uncomfortable.

Jed looked at Mike, but he didn’t seem any different. He shook his head. This group was just plain out coo-coo for Cocoa Puffs.

Uri swallowed loudly. “My friend Bethany, from school, set me up on my blind date. Last night,” he added with a wheeze.

“So, did you get laid?” Noble wondered, seeming to come out of his brood.

“Oh, uh . . .” Uri looked around the table. “We, I mean she was very . . .”

“He means a gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell, right Uri?” Michael jumped in.

“Right. Right.” Uri seemed relieved, but Mike seemed to nudge him under the table. “But she was very affectionate. I will say that.” He smiled suggestively.

“Nice.” Noble grinned.

“So, what is the lovely lady like? Other than beautiful and smart and sexy?” Gabe asked.

“Oh. Well.” He seemed to think. “She’s about five-five. Average build. Straight golden brown hair. Lovely blue eyes. She likes contemporary music, romance novels, seafood, and action movies. She is of above average intelligence, cares about the environment . . .”

Jed felt something ticking in his brain the more that Uri described this dream date he had. But his next words about did him in.

“. . . she drives a Prius. Oh, and she’s a CPA. That’s about all I know about her from our first date. I hope there will be others though.”

Noble looked at Jed strangely. He must’ve heard the similarities as well.

“Hey, Uri. What did you say this chick’s name was?” Noble finally asked.

“Kyle. Kyle O’Neill.” He said it loud and proud and it reverberated throughout the room.

Jed couldn’t speak. His tongue was glued to the roof of his mouth. Honestly, he wasn’t sure which feeling was stronger. Surprise that she would be out dating so soon after her breakup. Or the jealousy he couldn’t deny that was absolutely choking him.

“Really?” Michael’s eyes widened in surprise. “Miz O’Neill is the accountant we’ve been talking about! What a coincidence. Isn’t that the coolest twist of fate?” He looked at Jed.

Jed nodded and managed to force out a reply. “That’s just nifty.”

Uri laughed. “Are you serious? I can’t believe it!”

Everyone else laughed, too. Except Jed. He rose and went in search of another drink. What was Muffet doing with that retro-looking loser? And he was hoping to go out with her again? She was very ‘
affectionate?’
What the hell did he mean by that?

He stormed out of the kitchen and back to the table, where he stood towering over them all.

“Did you sleep with her?”

Uri gazed up at him, his eyes frightened behind the John Lennon glasses. “What?”

He leaned down on the table so they were eye-to-eye. “I said,
‘Did you
sleep
with her?’
”

The room got deathly quiet. Uri studied Jed’s eyes for the space of three heartbeats. “No.”

Without glancing at the clock, Jed spoke. “It’s getting pretty late.”

Uri rose and pulled his jacket from the back of the chair. Obviously the dude wasn’t as slow as he looked. “Okay.”

Michael, Uri, Gabe, and Rafe all made their way out, leaving their chairs pulled out in their haste to go and casting varying degrees of curious glances at Jed. Eventually only Noble was left at the table staring at the pile of poker chips and playing cards.

Noble tilted his head quizzically. “Dude. What the hell was that?”

Jed rubbed a hand along his head as reason started to sink back in. “I think I’m losing it, bro.”

“You’re losing something.” Noble studied him a minute and then stood. “I’m outta here. Just call her. Do what they said and take her to dinner or something. Jesus, man, you’re driving me nuts with all this grumpin’ around lately.”

Jed watched him pull his flannel on over his T-shirt. “Wait one damn minute. What are you talking about?”

Noble shook his head and strode away. “Just call her!” he shouted as he slammed the door on his way out.

“I am
not
calling her,” he grumbled.

He picked up the cards and put them away and made a cursory wipe of the table. He turned off the light and went to his art room. He’d always been able to find some comfort and reason there. He sat in front of the easel and studied the picture of his mother crying. The one that Kyle had connected with emotionally. He’d drawn that after his father died, when his mother had been at her lowest and all he could see was her all-consuming pain. He’d be forever grateful that she’d found a way to go on with her life since then. Not in the same way, but in a way that she could find some happiness without her husband.

He looked over to the drawing of the girl under the cherry tree. Who was she? Probably just a girl. Or not?

He pulled out a fresh piece of paper and a pencil. In one long, smooth stroke, he had the curve of a cheek. In another, the line of a nose. Lips. Eyes. And then, there were tears. Just like his mother’s. Without rhyme or reason or thought, he’d drawn Kyle’s face, and her heartbreak was reaching out to him across the parchment.

He sat back and looked at what he’d done.

She’d somehow become more to him that his CPA. What, he wasn’t sure. He was sure, however, that it was the worst idea in the history of mankind to contemplate being anything more than friends.

But friends he could do. And Michael was right. She
had
done a kick-ass job as his accountant.

Before he could change his mind, he got up and went to find his cell phone. He found it in his bedroom, and scrolled down until he got to her number in his speed dial. He pressed the button and flopped back onto his bed to wait for her to answer.

“Hello?” She sounded half-asleep. And sexy as hell.

“Muffet. It’s me.”

“Jed?” She shuffled around on the other end. “What time is it? Are you all right?”

Something in his heart thumped at her concern. “Yeah. I’m all right.” He glanced at the clock. “Sorry. Didn’t realize the time. Want me to call you tomorrow?”

She yawned. He pictured her in a little nightie. No, naked. Scratch that. Better put the nightie back on.

“No, it’s fine. Is something wrong?” Her voice still sounded sleepy.

“Nothing’s wrong. I wanted to talk to you for a minute.”

“Oh.” He could tell she was confused, but she didn’t question him further. “Okay.”

“So, listen.” Now he had her on the phone, he didn’t quite know where to begin. He’d never had a problem asking women out before. But this wasn’t a date exactly. He sat up and scrubbed his face with his hand. “Are you busy tomorrow? Before work?”

He heard her breathing on the other end of the line.

“Muffet?”

“Hmmm?”

“You falling asleep on me?”

“No. Just thinking about what I have planned tomorrow.”

“Oh. And?” He waited. She was killing him. He smoothed the carpet with the toe of his boot.

“Well,” she finally said. “Is this for business?”

He rolled his eyes. “Sorta.”