2

Milli stepped out into the hospital lobby just as Heith opened the stairwell door and stalked toward her.

“You sure are a skittish little thing.”

“No, I am just cautious around men I don’t know.” Milli looked him up and down critically. “Nice to meet you. I hope your cousin recovers soon.”

Tipping his head, Heith watched her walk away then caught up to her. “Miss Milli, I don’t know what kinda men you’re used to, but I was raised to be a gentleman. I wouldn’t feel right not taking you to dinner after you saved my cousin’s life. There is a very nice restaurant at my hotel, very public. I promise no funny business.”

Milli eyed him, and battling against her cautious side, she agreed. “Fine, but I need to take my sister to work, she… she doesn’t drive. Where is your car? You can follow me.”

“I came straight from the airport; I was going to Uber back to the Oasis. I haven’t even checked in yet,” Heith confessed.

Milli sighed. Her hospitable nature caused her to volunteer to give him a ride. “Come on, I’ll take you after I drop Marni off.”

Milli said nothing, but Heith seemed perfectly content to talk about Texas and his grandfather’s ranch as she drove. His long legs barely fit into her small car. Milli found herself struggling not to giggle with each bump and pothole she hit.

Her phone chimed with Marni’s SMS tone: Where are you?

Milli texted Marni back as she stopped at a red light: On the way.

Marni replied instantly: Great, need to stop at La Perla. Can’t find my scarlet silk thong.

Milli wanted to groan as she read it, then Heith took her phone. “Hey.”

“You shouldn’t text and drive.” He scolded, “What did you wa… want to say back.” He paused awkwardly mid-sentence as he read the text.

“Tell her…” Milli’s jaw ticked, then her troll side whispered to her. “Tell her that’s fine. We can stop and get her a new scarlet thong.”

Heith typed her response with a slight blush tinting his cheeks.

While they waited at the next light, she could tell he wanted to ask, so she explained, “Marnianne is working as an exotic dancer while she is going to school for her elementary education degree. She works at the Velvet Rope because it pays better than anything else. I was picking her up before I headed to the bakery this morning. That is why I was there in the right place and right time to save Edgar.”

Heith nodded thoughtfully, “Well, I appreciate it. Edgar is like a brother to me.”

Milli stopped and beeped her horn. “You’ll have to get out so she can get in the back. You’re too tall to fit back there.” He climbed out without a word.

Marni bounced out, locked the door, and as turned her eyes widened. Milli couldn’t see Heith’s face but the way his legs stiffened, Milli knew her sister had another man enthralled and she sighed. Heith seemed so nice, but Marni was the kind of beauty no man could say no to.

Marni bent to get in and winked at Milli. “Dibs,” she whispered and Milli coughed a laugh with a knowing smirk. Whoever Marni wanted; Marni got.

Heith got in and Milli introduced them. “Marni, this is Heith Rowling; Heith, this is my sister Marni.”

Leaning forward between the seats, Marni purred, “So how did you meet?”

“He’s the cousin of the guy I rescued last night,” Milli said. “I am giving him a ride back to his hotel from the hospital.”

“And dinner,” Heith added, “Would you like to join us for dinner?”

Looking in the rear-view mirror, Milli watched as Marni smiled beautifully at Heith, accepting, “Dinner sounds nice. Maybe we could bring carryout back to Eddie, we wouldn’t want your poor cousin to waste away on hospital food.”

Heith nodded, “Whatever you like, Darlin’.”

Milli rolled her eyes, and asked, “So, work?”

Marni never turned away from Heith, who never looked at Milli as Marni announced, “I’m off tonight. Let’s go eat and maybe get dessert later.”

* * *

Two weeks later,

 Milli flinched when her phone vibrated. She ignored it and kept decorating. Her tablemate wasn’t so tolerant. When it vibrated again, Jackson swore and reached across the table, took it out of her pocket.

“You have 126 messages from Eddie. Who’s Eddie?” Her tall bestie demanded.

“Edgar Rowling, that guy I saved. He wants to go to dinner. Marni put his number in my phone and gave him mine,” Milli complained.

Jackson’s face screwed up in frustration as another one came. “Tell him to text Marni if he wants to go to dinner with her and leave you out of it.”

Milli put her frosting bag down. Her expression was defeated. “It isn’t Marni he wants to go out with. He barely looks at her.”

Jackson looked at her oddly, “What’s wrong with him? Wait, he’s asking you out? Why the heck aren’t you answering then?”

“I don’t know. He’s too handsome, too charming, total Marni’s type, and… and once the gratitude of me rescuing him wears off, he’ll realize he doesn’t want someone like me.” Milli turned the cake in front of her, then slid it off the pedestal and put a blank one on.

Jackson came around the table and hugged her. “Sweetie, what happened is in the past. This guy doesn’t care about that. He sees you for how courageous and beautiful you are. You saved him.” He glanced at the message. “He calls you ‘my heroine’, and ‘my guardian angel’. That’s so sweet.”

“He’s just going to use me to get to her. They all do,” Milli insisted as she piped shells and flowers to match the sketch one of the designers had made. “Besides, he’s from Dallas. How can I date a Texan?”

“Texans can be… nice.” Shrugging, Jackson frowned, “Come out with me and Mitch, we’ll see if he is really interested in you or her. Mitch can always tell.”

“It’s her.” Milli didn’t even want to think about it, but then Caroline called from the front, “Milli, you got a visitor and he brought you flowers.”

“Just a minute,” Jackson pushed her toward the front as she protested, “Wait, no, I look terrible.”

The designer tossed her a makeup bag and shoved her into the breakroom. “Be quick. I’ll say you’re finishing a cake.” Then she turned to Jackson, and whispered, “Damn, he’s fine and I’m not one for cowboys but I’d save a horse to have a ride on that. Why didn’t you tell us?”

“I just found out. Which one is… never mind, I see the hat.” Jackson’s eyes narrowed as he studied the man. Chestnut hair and blue eyes scanned for Milli as he held an expensive bouquet of lilies and tropical flowers. He looked like a GQ fashion plate in a Stetson.

Jackson walked out and waved him over, “Milli’s finishing a cake. I’m Jackson Harper, Milli’s best friend.”

“Edgar Rowling. Marni told Heith and me about you. Nice to meet you.” He shook Jackson’s hand firmly.

Edgar was as far from any person Jackson could imagine Milli dating as the moon was from the sun, but when Milli came over, Edgar’s smile reached his eyes. Jackson decided he would give the Texan a chance, but first, he would have his dad, who is a police detective, do a background check on Edgar Rowling of Dallas, Texas.

* * *

Two weeks later…

Edgar took the Haywood sisters and their best friends to late dinner. Then they went to the girls’ favorite club called Betty Boob, and while Milli danced with Jackson, Mitchell Abernathy watched Edgar intently. Edgar smiled and laughed with Marni, but he didn’t fawn over her like she liked so she went to dance with another guy. The whole evening, Edgar watched Milli. He met her for an early dinner every night after work and bought her gifts every other day. Jackson’s dad had found Edgar had a few speeding tickets and one DUI, but nothing particularly criminal. Heith’s record was spotless. The Rowlings were from a wealthy family, college-educated, and worked for their grandfather’s company. But Mitch didn’t trust Edgar’s intentions toward Milli, his intuition said Edgar was a player. Heith was different, more handsome, harder working, but still too arrogant. Mitch didn’t like either of the cousins, but as long as they made his friends happy, he tried not to be overprotective.

Milli came over and hugged Edgar, who pulled her into his lap. “Having fun, baby doll?”

“Yes.” She grinned at him, “Don’t you want to dance with me?”

Edgar shook his head, “I can’t dance, baby doll. Daddy’s got… I mean…” He frowned at the slight change in her eyes. “Sorry, babe, I forgot you don’t like that nickname. I can’t dance and I would hate to step all over your tiny feet with my big cowboy boots.”

Milli looked at him adoringly, “You’re so good to me.”

“You’re worth it, Milli. Anything you want.” He responded charmingly. He waved over the waitress, “How about a drink?”

She shook her head, “I’m going to have to go soon. I have to be at work in five hours.”

“I’ll drive you,” Edgar offered.

“We got her,” Mitch said calmly. “Jacks has to be in at the same time.”

“What about Marni?” Milli asked.

“I’ll get her home and see you after work,” Edgar promised and kissed Milli, making her blush adorably. “Sweet dreams, don’t worry, I’ll take care of your party crazy sister.”

Kissing him back, Milli loved how it felt to be so happy. “See you in a few hours. Don’t let Marni keep you out ‘til noon.”

Edgar shook his head, and winked at her roguishly, “Oh no, I like to be asleep by four.” He nodded to where Marni was grinding between two men. “What do I do if she finds a hook-up?”

Milli sighed, “She’s a big girl. She can find her way home… usually.”

It made Edgar frown. “Don’t worry Milli. I’ll keep an eye on her.” He kissed her nose. “Unless you want me to come with you? I am going to miss you next week.”

“I told you, not until we’re married, I say enough Hail Mary’s for Marni as it is. And I’ll miss you too.”

Edgar pressed his lips on the back of her hand, “Whatever makes you happy, my heroine.”

She kissed him again and left with Mitch and Jackson.

Marni came back and sat down, taking Edgar’s drink and downing it. “What?”

“Am I really going to have to marry your sister?” Edgar asked with a scowl.

“She cares about you more than any guy she’s ever dated but she wants the romantic fairy tale. She’ll always love you if you marry her and treat her right… But if you don’t want her...?” Marni let the question hang, offering Edgar a way out before he hurt Milli.

“No, I want her. I love the way she makes me feel. It’s so different.”

 Marni cautioned. “You need to be gentle with her, she was hurt very badly.”

Edgar dragged her into his lap, “I have you for the things I like.”

She grabbed his face and stared into his eyes. “I mean it, Eddie, she’s falling in love with you and if you hurt her, I’ll have Donnie kill you.”

“Take it easy, Marni. That’s not the only way I like it. Besides, I could get used to how good she treats me. Every man wants to come home to a sweet little piece in an apron with dinner and cake on the table.” Edgar watched the dancers thoughtfully, then dumped Marni on the seat next to him and stood up. “Yep, I could definitely get used to coming home to my sweet Milli. I’ll be back.”

As he walked toward the restrooms, Marni appraised him with a critical eye. She knew Edgar was a player and she didn’t want Milli to get hurt. Marni was willing to do anything to protect her sister. She pulled out her phone and texted Heith a message proclaiming how much she missed him. Edgar would behave as long as Heith was there; he wanted to live up to his cousin’s good guy persona.