Torin (Hope City #9) - Maryann Jordan Page 0,21

arm reached close to Erin and set Sandy’s martini in front of her. Swinging her head around, Erin jerked when seeing it had been delivered by Torin, and he was standing close to her. A smile escaped, but she quickly darted her eyes around the table, seeing wide-eyed surprise on their faces.

“Anyone need anything?” he asked.

The other women shook their heads, then he turned to Erin and leaned in closer. “You good?” His voice was low and smooth.

She felt her cheeks heat with a blush as she nodded. “Yes, thanks.” Instead of leaving, Torin stood next to her, his hand resting lightly on the back of her chair. She stole a glance to the side, but Bekki and Caitlyn had turned to each other to chat, and Harper and Sandy had done the same. She didn’t know if the women were trying to give her and Torin a moment of privacy, but their sweet act of kindness simply caused her blush to deepen.

Suddenly self-conscious, it was different than when they were running. She had no problem thinking of things to say now that they were getting used to each other. But in the crowded pub, with others right next to them, her mind blanked of anything to say. She glanced to the side, noting the way his T-shirt stretched taut over his muscles and the tattoos that snaked down one arm. While running, she’d had the opportunity to admire his body, but even here at work, she could easily see why he turned the heads of many women. His eyes were roving over the room but always came back to her. She didn’t get the feeling that he was looking at anyone in particular. He appeared to be checking on the bar, making sure everything was running smoothly. It wasn’t like being out with a man while his eyes constantly looked for other women. She swallowed a snort… Christ, it’s not like I’m out with him!

“When are you going to be able to come back out for an early morning run?”

She blinked at his question but was glad that he’d thought of something to say. She held his gaze and smiled. “I was going to go out tomorrow morning.”

“I thought, if you want, we could skip the track. We can meet somewhere else that wouldn’t be so crowded.”

She stared into his eyes, thinking thoughts she hadn’t in a long time, feeling emotions coming back to the surface that had long since been buried. She swallowed deeply, hesitating. Maybe I should say no. Maybe none of this makes sense. Maybe it’s too soon—

“I can meet you anywhere. Just name the place. I just know I’d really like to run with you. Being with you seems to start my morning off right.”

His voice moved through her, warming her blood, soothing the edges that always felt so rough. “Okay.” Her mouth had opened on its own accord, and agreement slipped out. She blinked, filled with uncertainty until she saw his smile.

“I’m glad you said okay, but where do you want to meet?”

“Oh… right. Um…”

“Why don’t you text me your address? You say it’s a good neighborhood to run in, so I can meet you close by.”

“Okay.” Feeling like a teenage dork instead of an almost thirty-year-old woman, she fumbled as she pulled out her phone. Putting in his contact information, she sent him a text of her address. Well, my parents’ address. For the first time in a year, it struck her that she needed to move out. Her therapist had said when she was ready, she’d know. Staring up at Torin’s eyes, she wondered if that time was coming.

“I’ll send you a text in the morning when I’m on my way.”

She smiled and nodded, then watched as he moved his gaze around the table, the other women smiling with open curiosity written on their faces.

“Gotta get back to the bar. Watch your drinks and don’t go to the ladies' room by yourself.” He turned back to Erin and waited until she lifted her eyes to him. “Let me know if you need anything.”

He started to walk away, but she reached out and placed her hand on his arm. “It wasn’t your fault, you know? You shouldn’t blame yourself.”

He held her gaze for a long moment, then finally nodded. With a little smile, he turned and walked back to the bar. Her blush was deep, and she hoped the women would not quiz her on the conversation she’d had with Torin. Turning back