“Do you really believe that?” Vincent blew out a frustrated breath. Didn’t she know how serious the situation was? “Normal is calling you a couple times, begging for dates. Maybe leaving a note on your windshield. Not vandalizing your car and leaving X-rated messages on your phone.”
“Oh God.” She wiped her mouth on a napkin, then set it aside. “Let me guess—you didn’t just raid the fridge, you listened to his crazy calls?”
“The ones I could stomach.”
“I didn’t ask you to take control of my life, Vincent. I’m a victim of circumstances, not a damsel in distress that can’t handle my own shit.”
He folded his hands on the table. “If that’s true, why’d you show up at the bar?”
She paled at the question. “Unfair.”
“Answer me.”
“My friends are out of town.”
“That’s the only excuse you can come up with? A popular girl like you only has a few friends? I don’t believe it.” He knew better. Months ago when they hung out, everyone seemed to know her.
“Hitting below the belt, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.”
“Well, I don’t approve.” She frowned.
“Too bad. Someone needs to make you think hard about what you’re going to do next.”
“Okay, daddy dearest.” She crossed her arms over her chest, definitely in defensive mode. “Maybe I have a problem communicating with women outside of work. Most of my friends are guys. I didn’t feel comfortable showing up at their places late at night.”
“You mean men you’ve fucked, not friends.”
“Screw you, Ramos.”
“I want you angry, Tina. Not at me, but Kline. If it takes ruffling a few feathers to get you on track, so be it.”
“Can you stop talking birds?” A slow smile crept over her face. “I get it now. You think I’m too complacent. I prefer using finesse in situations like this. I’m fairly new at work, still establishing my clientele. If I file a complaint internally against Kline, it may come back to haunt me later when I’m up for promotion.”
“Why? Did you encourage him in any way?”
“God no.”
“Then I fail to see the problem.”
“Corporate culture. Blame still falls on my shoulders for not being able to manage my client. Did I mention he’s wealthy? So the potential for future business is high. Stop overthinking things—I’ll take care of it.”
Her voice was tinged with worry; Vincent knew the sound well. “I expect to be updated regularly. Phone calls before bed, too.”
She nodded in agreement.
“Good.” He got up and cleared the table. “I have business today; I need to leave now.”
She stood and checked him out head to toe. “I never knew how protective you could be. I regret not reconnecting with you sooner.”
“Shit happens for a reason.” He opened up his arms. “Give me a hug goodbye.”
She hobbled over, free of the crutches. “It just hit me: I’m walking again.”
“Okay, gimpy.” He lifted her and squeezed, her feet dangling above the floor. “I’ll call later.”
Chapter 9
Tina watched him walk down the breezeway through her window, her gaze never leaving his perfect ass. Even after he disappeared from sight, she lingered for a few seconds, wondering how she’d gotten so lucky. A chain reaction, she assured herself. Although Kline had victimized her, he was also the reason Vincent had gotten involved. Should she thank Kline or castrate him? Shaking her head, she returned to the kitchen for another cup of coffee.
Vincent had cooked breakfast and apparently cleaned her kitchen, too. Not that she didn’t keep an organized house; she just didn’t stress if a few things got out of place. The breakfast dishes were rinsed and stacked neatly in the right-side sink, and the plates and cups from the last few nights were in the dishwasher. She opened the fridge. The crisper drawers and shelves had been wiped down and her food reorganized. Even the freezer…Vegetables and meat were separated in the first basket, and miscellaneous items organized in the second.
Bird-watching, OCD-ridden treasurer for the Sons of Odin MC couldn’t stand chaos of any kind, including her loose commitment to control her aggressive client. He should give her a little credit for being resourceful enough to deal with her own problems. But men like Vincent naturally seized control.
The glass ceiling in the legal professions had been breached a long time ago, but men still dominated the field Even at her firm, the boys couldn’t resist interfering with her cases. One of her favorite television shows, Mad Men, characterized that sexist mentality perfectly. Although understated in her office, that sexist tradition carried over into her professional life. She’d have to prove herself to move up the corporate ladder. And she’d be damned if Kline Barnes would intimidate her.