could have done something. Should have done something. Anything. Instead, he had chosen the safe route and done nothing. All in an effort to spare himself heartache and disappointment.
A suffocating sense of loss stole his breath. In the back of his mind, Ben suspected the real man—the man who had been in that room for those last few seconds—was more than what he could conjure up in a fantasy.
Maybe he would build up the courage to ask Natalie about him.
Maybe.
He used to be a little more daring, but that had faded with his time in prison.
He glanced back at the empty doorway, imagining the man still standing there, smiling, with that dimple in his stubbled cheek. Challenging him to make a move.
Ben might not be as daring as he was years ago, but he was still curious as hell.
= ♥ =
Bull gripped the steering wheel, rolling his fists on the leather in a revving motion as he replayed what had happened.
Nothing had worked. Charm, teasing, flirting. His supposedly potent half smile had been deemed worthless. The man wouldn’t even look at him as he spoke, so he couldn’t flash his dimple. It was the one feature in his monster-sized package that softened his appearance and made him more approachable. That dimple always worked.
Dammit.
The man hadn’t said a single word. No name, no hi…nothing. One glance Bull’s way with a second’s worth of eye contact before he quickly looked away. Green. Mystery man’s eyes were a mix of pale and emerald green with flecks of gold.
Bull had introduced himself, tried for basic chitchat, small talk, anything to get the man to say something. Instead, he continued with his work, completely unfazed by Bull’s presence or questions. He didn’t even bother to turn around and give him the time of day.
Regardless of his nickname, he refused to force himself onto others, especially not after seeing the bruises and bandages. Maybe the guy was shy or awkward with new people or introductions? Bull was social, admittedly more than all his exes liked.
But he respected boundaries.
Worried he had overstayed his welcome, he had made a casual request…
“If you want me to stay, tell me or give me a hint and I’ll talk your ear off all day.”
The man had finally looked up from his clipboard and made eye contact but hadn’t said a single word in response. Not even a shy smile to indicate he welcomed Bull’s presence.
It stung. More than he cared to admit.
After turning into his building’s parking lot, he pulled into his spot and picked up his phone. He dialed his friend’s number as he cursed under his breath.
“You’re an asshole,” he said once Aidan answered the call.
“Likely. What assholery did I do this time to earn the distinction?”
“I stopped by Nat’s bakery.”
Silence.
Asshole.
“How’s Nat doing?”
Bull scoffed. “Cut the crap. You didn’t ask me to go over there to see her.”
Aidan couldn’t muffle the chuckle through the line.
“You’re a jerk,” Bull mumbled.
“How did it go?”
“Crash and burn. Nat threw me into the deep end. Sink or swim and I sank like an anvil.”
Aidan guffawed. “I knew I liked your sister.”
Bull sighed. “You’re both cruel.” He switched off the engine of his SUV and sat in silence, remembering the shades of green in the young man’s eyes. “How did you know?”
“Know what?”
He closed his eyes and leaned back against the headrest. “Aidan, you’re smarter than that. Stop dicking me around. I’m being serious.”
A heavy sigh echoed through the line. “Hold on a sec.” The sound of muffled voices through the line faded, likely his friend finding a quieter place for the call. “I knew the moment you saw him working for Nat, your interest would be piqued to find out more about the only person your sister has ever trusted to work for her. Maybe just a friendship, but maybe more, who knows. I’m not Cupid. That’s up to you guys. But I can tell you he’s a nice guy with a good heart, almost to his detriment. And as skilled as you are at profiling people, you suck at finding a person who is loyal and trustworthy.”
He remained silent. Soapbox speeches and advice were two items rarely dished out by his friend.
“I told you you’re not a loner. You think I don’t pick up on the way you look at Jessie and me when you think I’m not looking?”
Bull sat up in his seat. “Aidan, I would never—”
“I know you wouldn’t dare. Even my pea brain knows that. And if you were