Part 9 (1/2)

He smirks at me. ”I think we're going to get along just fine.”

Holy s.h.i.+t, that was brutal. My shoulders slump in relief. I clear my throat and change the subject. ”How often does Ceecee do PT?”

He nurses then sips on his beer. ”Depends, you know? Sometimes, she's okay to go without it for weeks, because she's doing her exercises at home, but sometimes she needs a session or two a week. She doesn't exactly like her exercise program. She says it's boring, and because she doesn't like doing it, she pays for it with spasms and aches.”

My face softens. It must be hard for her. ”She probably just needs the right motivation.”

James looks me in the eye. ”Max...he's tried everything short of forcing her. She listens sometimes, but not often enough.”

A sudden thought floods my mind. ”Has Ceecee ever had a say in her exercise program?”

His eyes narrow in confusion. ”How do you mean?”

I step forward and sit on the stool in front of him. ”I mean, she's a teenage girl. I know there are exercises she'll need to do, but has anyone asked her what she likes to do?”

James open his mouth to respond, but he pauses. His mouth snaps shut. ”No. I...um-I don't think I have asked her.” I raise a brow. He grins in response. ”I like it.”

I return his grin. ”She's a young woman who's been told all her life what she has to do. It must be tiring.”

Suddenly, his brows bunch. He mutters, ”Yeah, it must be.”

A wild hair reaches into my brain, and before I can stop myself, I ask, ”Would you like to come upstairs and meet my sister?”

A look of surprise flitters across his face before he beams. ”Yeah. I'd love to.”

Oh, this is so crazy awkward. I have no idea what I'm doing. ”Cool. Come on up.”

As soon as we reach the top of the stairs, Nik calls out, ”Whit! What's up, man?”

James takes his hand in a rough, compet.i.tive man-shake that looks more like an a.s.sault. ”Not much, Nik. Just met Helena here.”

Nik looks down at me. He loses his smile. Throwing James an acid look, he states, ”She's off limits.”

James looks over at me, trying to hide his smile. I roll my eyes and shove Nik in the gut. ”He's my new boss, Niki. Ease up.”

Nik looks over at me, smiling a brotherly smile full of pride. ”Seriously? You're working at the center? That's awesome, kid.”

I blush. ”I know. I worked my b.u.t.t off for it.”

Nik wraps his arm around me and pulls me close. He says to James, ”She's family, ya know, so you better treat her good.”

Oh G.o.d, no.

I shrug Nik's arm off and tug James by the wrist towards the stairs. ”This was so not a good idea. I'm sorry. We should go back down.”

But James just grins. ”Are you kidding? This is the highlight of my night!”

Oh, he's pus.h.i.+ng it. I lean in and hiss, ”At my expense!”

He leans in closer to me. ”Just go with the flow, Helena. It's never as bad as you think it is.”

That's when Nat calls out, ”I remember when Helena was three and took off her diaper. She peed on the furniture 'cause she wanted to be like our dog.”

Holy mother of G.o.d!

I cover my face with my hands and mock-sob. ”It's always as bad as I think it is.” James turns away from me, but I see his back shake in silent laughter. I narrow my eyes at him and whisper, ”It's not true, you know. What she said, I mean.” It's a poor attempt at saving my honor, but it's worth a shot.

He faces me, eyes smiling. ”Yeah. Yeah, it is.” My face flames, but he just b.u.mps my shoulder. ”It's okay, Helena. You were three. If you did that last week, then yeah, I'd be a bit worried.”

My pride already out the window, I sigh dramatically. ”I guess I shouldn't tell you about last week's incident then.”

Suddenly, he's in my face. A dangerous smile on that gorgeous face, he whispers, ”I'm all ears, babe.”

I think that's the exact moment we both realize this conversation is extremely inappropriate. My eyes widen. So do his. We start at the same time.

”Oh my gosh, James!”

”c.r.a.p. I'm so sorry, Helena.”

”That was...”

”....really not cool. I-uh...I don't know what I was thinking. Shoot.”

Laughter lines my voice. ”It's okay. You're funny. I think you're a hoot.” I dip my chin and laugh quietly. I am not offended; I'm amused. Really d.a.m.n amused. I like him! But he doesn't laugh in return as expected. I look up to find him incensed. I quickly put my hand on his forearm. ”Hey.”

He pulls away from my touch. ”Uh, it's probably best if that didn't happen again. I've never acted that way in my life. I am-” he coughs, ”so sorry. I'm usually quite professional. It's not like me to flirt with an employee.” His eyes hold a clear apology. ”I should go.”

I can't believe this is the same man I was laughing with a few minutes ago. Where did he go and who is this stiff? I reach out a second time and wrap a hand around his wrist tightly. ”Hey, don't leave. I'm just as much to blame. I'm sorry.” His body loses some of its tenseness. I add slowly, ”I thought you were funny. I mean, I don't offend that easily. And just for your information, I'm not your employee.” He raises a brow in my direction. I lift my shoulder. ”Not yet. Not for another two days.”

His other brow rises to join the first. A low chuckle escapes him, and I smile knowing I've eased the tension. Shaking his head, he lets out a long sigh. ”I can say this has been a very interesting evening.” He stills and his eyes dart from side to side. ”I should probably mention I don't date employees.” A sudden rush of embarra.s.sment disguised as anger clenches my gut. I'm just about to lie through my teeth and tell him I wasn't coming onto him, when he adds, ”I'm s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g this up again. Sorry.”

My middle unclenches with a slow exhale. I reply, ”I don't date, James. I'm just looking for a friend.”

With an easy smile, he utters, ”That, I can do.”

Chapter Ten.

Helena Safely seated two booths away from my sister and the rest of the guys, James and I sit, drink, and get to know each other in our comfortable surroundings. ”So you've got two sisters. One is the loud-mouthed brunette over there, and the other is a hairdresser back home. Both of your parents are still alive and kicking, and are still together after twenty-five years.” He squints. ”Did I get that right?” I nod with smiling eyes.

He tells me, ”Well, my family really only consists of two people. It's just me and my brother, Trent. Both our parents have pa.s.sed on. Dad, when Trent was a baby, and Mom just last year.” Just as I'm about to offer my condolences, he mutters, ”You really weren't kidding when you said you guys are like a family.”

Fiddling with my straw, I smile warmly. ”I was never really part of the family myself until recently. Very recently. Tina was, and my sister was, so I guess when they told the guys I was going to be living here,” I shrug, ”they just sort of included me.”

James responds to me, but looks over at the booth filled with laughing women and their men. ”Must be nice.” I look over at the booth myself and smile at the scene they don't even know they're making. He adds, ”To be included just as you are.”