She huffed, which caused the lump to increase in size. “I amnot.”
He lifted her hand slightly and cocked his head as if he could inspect her shoulder through the fabric of her blouse. “I think I kinda nailed you. I’m really sorr—”
“I’mfine, B.,” she said, pulling away and heading toward the curb so she could flag a cab. “I’m heading out, and I’ll see you tom—”
“Here, hang on.” Brennan fished a large, spherical ice cube out of his glass and blindly passed the drink off to some random guy standing near the entrance to the club.
The guy took the glass, peering at it and then at Brennan. “Hey, thanks, bruh.”
Ignoring him, Brennan reached into his pocket and pulled out a white cloth handkerchief, wrapped it around the large ice cube, and held it to Liza’s shoulder. “This’ll probably melt all over you in a few minutes, but it might make it feel better. I’m really sorry. That was even more of a douche move than Luke running his mouth.”
“It’s not a big deal.” She looked up at him and couldn’t help adding, “Unless this is youbuttering me upbefore you take me home with you.”
Brennan met her gaze with a sober expression. “I have a reputation that precedes me, but you don’t need to worry about that. Connor’s my best friend. And I have a code.” He lifted the cloth-covered ice, inspecting it, and then pressed it against her aching shoulder muscle again. “He told me about you, so rest easy knowing you won’t ever have to wonder about my intentions.”
Something about the idea that Brennan knew about her history with Connor made Liza’s stomach turn a little. “Well, that’s good. I obviously have alotof shit to worry about without throwingthatinto the mix.”
“I take it that little spat I saw a few minutes ago was the two of you clearing the air,” he prompted gently.
A sardonic laugh forced its way out of her throat. “Yeah, that’s one way of putting it.” She placed her hand on his just long enough to make him remove the ice from her shoulder. “You really don’t need to do this because I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to give Jimmy my notice. I can’t work with Connor. I’ll have to switch to a remote capacity.”
Brennan held the cloth-covered ice at the level of his chest. “If I may, L.”
“If you maywhat?” Liza jutted her chin up at him defensively, but his expression was just as kind and warm as it had been during every interaction she’d had with him all day. She couldn’t be mad at a guy like him, especially since what she wasreallymad about had nothing to do with him.
“Don’t make major decisions when you’re upset.” He reached to place the ice on her shoulder again. “And don’t write Connor off completely just yet. Today understandably rattled you both. When the dust settles, I think you’ll find that you both can figure out how to coexist with each other.”
Liza fought the tremble of her bottom lip. “The dust settled ten years ago. He made it clear then that he has no interest in coexisting with me. He made it even more clear just now.”
“I know this is hard for you—”
“Youdon’tbecausehedoesn’t have any idea exactly how hardit got after he did what he did.” She lowered her face to look at the sidewalk between Brennan’s polished, black Oxford shoes and her shiny, cream-colored stilettos. “Nobodyknows how hard it got.”
“I can see that,” Brennan added quietly after a beat.
They stood in silence for a few moments, him still holding the ice to her shoulder, and it really was helping. Brennan was uncommonly kind, and right then, with all the ugly memories front and center in her mind while she was stuck in this new place all alone, she couldn’t have appreciated it more.
“Everything’s fine.” Liza sniffed away her impending tears and looked up at him. “I really am fine, and I just need to go home.”
She stepped away from him to weave through chortling, shouting pedestrians, and then lifted her arm to wave at one of the cabs rolling by. The cabs, of course, ignored her.
“That’s probably a good idea.” Tossing the ice cube onto the sidewalk and pocketing the handkerchief, Brennan stepped off the curb, lifted two fingers to his lips, and unleashed a quick, high-pitched whistle.
A cab eased in front of them in a matter of seconds, and she pursed her lips, becauseof coursea driver would notice him. One quick glance at their surroundings spoke volumes about the way people noticed Brennan—specifically the waywomennoticed him. A bachelorette party was standing between the entrance to the Spotted Cat and the club next door, eyeballing him while whispering behind their hands or fanning themselves theatrically. But Brennan didn’t notice any of the women around basically ogling him and opened the cab door for Liza, offering his hand.
“Just keep in mind that no matter how Connor acts, nobody else has any beef with you. You’re new in town, and the only person you know is someone who’s got a problem with you. So, if you feel like you need a friend, that’s what I’m here for.” He smiled and curled his fingers toward himself, beckoning her to take his hand. “That’s what allof us are here for. We do southern hospitality really well around here.”
She forced a congenial smile and accepted his palm as she slid into the cab. “I sincerely appreciate that. I’m really okay, B.” She sighed listlessly. “I won’t leaveyet. I’m just going to focus on work. There’s a lot to be done.”
He let his arm hang on the door for a second as he gave a deft nod. “There ya go.” He stepped away from the cab, but let his hand linger on the edge of the door. “We’ll see you around this week, yeah?”
“Yup.” She flicked her fingers in a wave. “Thanks for flagging the cab for me.”
“You bet. Have a good night.” He ducked into the cab and pressed a quick kiss to her cheek, which she didn’t expect, but he acted like it was as normal as breathing. “Maybe ice that arm again when you get home. I’m really sorry, L. I can be a real ass sometimes.”
Not as much of an ass as your bestie can be, she wanted to add, but she refused to go there. “It’s okay, B. You’re very considerate.”
Brennan smiled. “I try.”
