Rory (Hope City #7) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,47

she relaxed against his hand.

She shot him a glance, a tiny smile curving her lips. It was so fleeting he wondered if he’d imagined it, but her hand was no longer shaking, so he took that as a good sign.

Sean had been silent during the women’s earlier conversation but now joined. “I was one of the investigators on the Perkins case. It was determined that they used shortcuts when wiring the city’s new billing and accounting building over on Watson’s Street. They were fined for negligence and damages, but no criminal charges were filed. I never heard what happened with their contact at City Hall or how they managed to get the city contracts.”

“Does it affect your job, Sandy?” Harper asked.

“No, not directly. But as an office interior designer, I determine everything on the inside, including how many and where the electrical, phone, cable, and internet outlets need to be located. For the offices that are being built per my designs right now, I am in there making sure everything is exactly where it should be.”

Bekki shook her head. “I had no idea you did all that. I confess that I thought you handled the decorating.”

Smiling, Sandy shrugged. “It’s a common misconception. As an interior designer, I design the space. Since I own the company, I can also do decorating as well, but I prefer the architectural design aspect of my job. I hire an interior decorator to work with the clients.”

Rory tried to appear nonchalant as the women continued to chat but listening to Sandy talk about her business surprised him. In truth, he’d never considered what she did for a career. The words of one of the men came back to haunt him. “… her daddy’s rich… she lives off her dad’s money.”

Bekki looked at her phone and said, “I hate to drink and run, but I’ve got a lead on a story that I need to follow up with. Sandy, I’ll let you know what I find out about Perkins.” She looked at Blay and grinned. “Okay, bro, you’re officially off duty.” With a finger toss, she walked out of the pub, and Blay offered a chin lift to the others as he headed to the bar.

“We should be going, too,” Harper said, smiling at Sean before turning toward Sandy, searching her face. “Will you be okay—”

“I’ve got her.”

Sandy turned to look at Rory, a silent question on her face, and he held his breath.

Sean just smiled, but Harper kept her gaze on Sandy. “Are you sure?”

She looked back toward Harper and nodded slowly. “Yes, I’ll be fine.”

With more hugs and chin lifts, it was soon just Rory and Sandy at the table. Her gaze stayed on her now-empty glass before finally moving to look at him. Their gazes held before another small smile curved her lips.

“You are the most beautiful woman here.”

Eyes widening, she tilted her head to the side. “Is that one of your cheesy pick-up lines?” Her voice held no mirth.

“Oh, no,” he assured, his voice carrying the sincerity he felt. “It’s the truth.”

Her bottom lip was caught between her teeth as her gaze stayed on him. “Please, Rory… don’t make fun of me.”

“I would never do that. You are the most beautiful woman in the room. And I’m damn lucky to be sitting here with you right now. Not just because of your beauty but because you’re giving me the chance to get to know the real Sandy.”

They were silent for a moment, but their gazes never wavered. The noise of the room fell away, leaving only the two of them in their own world, much like their dance and kiss months earlier.

Finally, as though the words were dragged from her, she spoke. “Sandra.” Her chest heaved with each breath. “The real me is Sandra Michelle Carmichael.”

A slow smile spread across his face. “It’s nice to meet you, Sandra Michelle Carmichael. I’m Rory. Rory Michael McBride.”

Laughter burst forth from her lips, and her eyes sparkled. She continued to smile her slightly crooked smile for a moment before slowly shaking her head. “Am I crazy?”

“For what? For letting me sit here and make sure you’re safe? That’s being smart. For forgiving me? Probably, but I’m glad you did. For offering me a chance to prove to you that I’m a better man? No, absolutely not.”

“Wow, you do have these lines down perfectly,” she said, her voice still soft but her smile wide. “Even if they’re true, they’re still great lines.”

“I won’t be using them