I can hear Tim sigh but then he proves to me why he’s my best friend. “I still think it’s a f**ked-up situation but I trust your judgment. If you need any help, you just let me know, okay?”
“I will. Thanks, man.”
I disconnect the call and throw my cell phone down on the couch beside me. Laying my head back, I stare at the ceiling and hope that Tim’s faith in my judgment is strong enough for the both of us.
“Hey,” I hear from behind me.
Sitting up, I look over my shoulder and see Rowan standing there with Capone. She had come in so quietly, I hadn’t even heard the door open or close.
“That was a quick walk.”
“Yeah, well, my boy here got down to business pretty fast.” She unknots the tie from his collar and he pads into the kitchen for some water. After she lays the tie back over the doorknob, she walks to the couch and sits on the opposite side of me.
After staring at the muted TV for a few seconds, she turns my way. “I caught part of your conversation... I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.”
I shrug my shoulders. I wondered if she had heard any of it, but I didn’t say anything to Tim that I wouldn’t say to her face.
Clasping her hands in her lap, she looks down at them, seemingly lost in thought. She promised me she’d talk to me about what was going on, and I assume she’s trying to collect herself. I wait patiently.
And I wait.
And then I wait some more.
I actually start watching some of the game on TV, letting my mind take a break from all the craziness that has been my life the last twenty-four hours.
Without any warning, Rowan stands from the couch and says, “I’m hungry. How about I make us some lunch?”
She’s stalling and I know it. But I’m hungry as well so I stand up and say, “Sure. We can talk while we’re eating.”
Rowan actually grimaces over that statement but then turns and heads to the kitchen. I follow her in and lean against the counter while she pulls out all the stuff to make us some sandwiches.
Her back is to me and she silently works on making us lunch. I don’t press her for information, taking my time enjoying the view of her backside. It’s just as lovely as the front.
“How do you know?” she asks as she turns to me.
I manage to sling my gaze up from her ass to her eyes and I don’t think she caught me checking her out. “How do I know what?”
“That I’m a good woman. You said that to whoever you were talking to. I mean... you’ve known me for a day. How do you know I’m a good woman?”
For a split second, I feel like I’m caught in the glare of a spotlight, and I’ve just been asked the million-dollar question. My mind blanks, and outside of knowing for certain that her tits are exquisite and her ass is slammin’, nothing is coming to mind.
But then I focus on those gray eyes of her, watching me carefully, and it all comes to me in a rush. “I know for lots of reasons. You’re brave enough to try to leave a guy that’s so demented he kidnapped you. You have pride... a little bit stubborn, but respectable all the same. You don’t like handouts and you have a hard work ethic. You like to earn your keep. You’re distrustful, for sure, but I’m thinking that’s just to protect your heart, which I’m guessing has been bruised. But that means you have a heart. I know you’re a good woman because of that damned dog in there. He saved your life as much as I did and that means you inspired love and loyalty in him. That means you have a soft touch and the heart you have is warm and caring. You don’t like to see people get hurt. You were worried for me today at Amy’s. You wanted to move on after you realized Juice was looking for you, and that was so that I wouldn’t get caught up in this. There are so many reasons, but more than anything, Rowan... I just know. It’s an instinct, and I’m going to trust it.”
She just stares at me, those gray irises wide and unblinking. Then I see her lower lip start to tremble ever so slightly and a veil of tears forms in her eyes. Her voice quavers but she smiles when she says, “Boy... you sure do see a lot.”
“I see you,” I tell her simply.
Taking a deep breath, she blinks her eyes rapidly and the tears disappear. She turns her back on me and goes back to making the sandwiches. Maybe it’s because we aren’t making eye contact, but she feels brave enough to share with me, “Thank you, Flynn. No one has ever said nice things like that about me.”
Picking up the plates from the counter, she walks to the kitchen table and I follow her. As we sit down, I tease her, “I find it hard to believe no one has ever said nice things to you. Not a hottie like yourself.”
It cracks me up that Rowan actually blushes over that remark. I never would have pegged her for someone that would get embarrassed.
She picks her sandwich up and takes a bite. After she swallows, she says, “Sure... I mean, guys are always saying nice things... I mean, it’s what you do when you want in a girl’s pants, right?”
I snicker, because that is exactly what we do.
“But not you, Flynn... you meant those things you said. I heard the truth in your voice. And you said it, expecting nothing in return from me. You think I’m a good woman, and I’m not so sure about that. But I know you’re a good man. Like you... I just know.”
I’m stunned for a moment, because her words touch me, and that doesn’t happen often. She stares at me, and I return it, both of us silent... both of us thinking over the things we just said to each other. It’s a definitive turning point in our relationship and by the look on Rowan’s face, I’m not sure she’s ever opened up to anyone like that before. She looks slightly stunned and a little fearful for allowing herself a moment of vulnerability.