The Movies Make It Look Easy

Chapter 71

She froze for a second in the act of rooting through a bag that seemed far too small, in my opinion, to be in any way practical, before continuing on with whatever she’d been doing.

Her back was partially to me so I couldn’t see what emotions had crossed her face. “Not now, Nick. As you can see, I’m kind of busy.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. My patience was wearing thin. “You know what? You’re not leaving until we’ve talked.”

I lied; I had no intention of letting her leave at all, but I figured that would go down even worse than what I’d just said. It seemed I knew her far too well.

She turned towards me slowly, her face contorted with anger. “What did you just say?”

“I said” I enunciated slowly and clearly; “that you’re not going anywhere until we’ve talked.”

“You can’t tell me what to do” she spluttered.

“Just did, Sweetheart.” I sent a genial smile in her direction before turning and leaving the room.

I couldn’t help but think that I was a master manipulator, as she stormed after me as expected. Well, she attempted to. Heels weren’t exactly conducive to ‘storming’. In fact, they weren’t conducive to anything except making a girl’s legs look great. I glanced back at Shannon’s legs as I came to stop beside the couch. Yes, I had just proved my own point.

“What the hell are you smirking about?” she yelled.

I stopped and shrugged innocently, one brow arched. “Just thinking how hot your legs look in that dress. If you can call it a dress, that is – it’s quite short.”

She narrowed her eyes and I couldn’t help but miss the days when she used to blush when I so much as complimented her. This Shannon was far too hardened.

“Don’t be a dick.”

I shrugged again; “it’s one of the many reasons you love me, Sweetheart. Now, are you ready to talk?”

“There’s nothing to talk about” she bit out, sounding more than a little frustrated.

I smiled slowly, leaning against the back of the couch, my arms once more crossed over my chest. I had to at least look like I meant everything I was saying. “I beg to differ. Now, you’re not going anywhere until we’ve talked.”

She glared at me; “you’re not my mother, Nick.”

“Well done” I said dryly, “Your observational skills truly astound me.”

She didn’t even bother answering, just went back to her room and slammed the door behind her; hard.

I flopped down onto the couch and sat back to wait. It wasn’t long before there was a knock on the front door. I grinned. I was going to enjoy this.

I pulled open the door, not trying very hard to keep the smug look off my face.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t who I’d been expecting. I’d thought it would be the same guy she’d been at the bar with – the one who turned bright red if you so much as made eye contact. I didn’t know this guy, though he looked vaguely familiar. The sight of him inexplicably incited the need to punch something (preferably his face) within me. I strongly disliked him. I only wished I knew why.

I turned my head at the sound of Shannon’s voice issuing from her room. “Toby? I’ll be right there.”

Ah, so this was Toby. I remembered Shannon telling me about him. I turned my glare on the kid. He smiled tremulously. “Hi, you must be Nick. I’m Toby; I work with Shannon.”