Hello Temptation (Hello, #3)

by Kelsie Hoss

As I walked toward the office trailer, Tyler opened the door and came out. He didn't see me at first, so I had a moment to take him in. The way his tight T-shirt pulled against his biceps. The peek of a tattoo on his arm. The way the morning sun hit his skin, making him look almost golden.

“Well, that was mighty nice of you.” I shook my head. “I don't think I'll ever be used to that Texas accent.” He laughed, taking the box from me.

Fifty years from now, I’ll be driving my kids by this building and saying, ‘When I was your age, I built this.’” I pictured Tyler with children, and my mind went haywire. And speaking of children...

“So I told my grandma about how you rescued me on Friday. And she wants to thank you personally at my nephew's birthday party on Saturday.” Tyler grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “She does?” I nodded. “In fact, I'm pretty sure if you don't come, she will call a senior ride and track you down herself.” “Well, I can't disappoint Grandma.” He pretended to be at a loss of what to do. Adorable. I bit my lip, smiling. “I don't think so.”

“My mom would lose her mind if I reached fifty without a single grandchild for her to spoil rotten.” “I know the feeling.”

Just like the last time we were here together, our aloneness felt so palpable. I could smell his cologne, something earthy and light at the same time. I wanted to reach him to feel his lips on my forehead again. Maybe even on my mouth. Logically, I knew he was off limits. But that didn't stop my mind and my body and my heart from wanting more with him.

I quickly took the envelopes and pulled away, not wanting him to see how much of an effect he had on me. In a matter of weeks, he’d consumed my every thought and replaced them with fantasies I shouldn’t be having. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said. I couldn't wait. And that would be the end of me. I could feel it in my bones.

“Henrietta. He left his plans on a Friday night because you sent him a text message. He threatened to kill a guy, and then kissed you on the forehead saying, and I quote, ‘the best is yet to come.’ I don't know what you could possibly be missing here.”

I’d had so much practice getting to know new people that it usually didn’t faze me anymore. But now? My stomach felt like it used to before an important football game. And judging by the protective way Cohen had acted at the bar last Friday, this would be an important game. Especially if I followed Gage’s advice and gave a relationship with Henrietta a chance.

“Henrietta doesn’t date. Not seriously, anyway.” “Maybe she hasn’t found the right match yet.” I traded a card from the pile and replaced one in my hand. He raised an eyebrow. “And you’re saying you could be that match?” “I’m saying I’m all in,” I replied, pushing all my chips to the center of the table.

But if his forehead kiss the weekend before meant anything, today would be one to remember.

Despite the heat in my cheeks, I kept my voice even. “He’s a colleague who rescued me from that horrible date last Friday. Grandma insisted I invite him.” With a cunning smile, she said, “You know how I love a good Prince Charming, Murph.” Before Dad could reply, the doorbell rang. “Saved by the bell,” I muttered, wiping my hands on a rag to go and answer it.

“Hi, baby!” I said to her, smiling wide. “I usually go by Tyler, but baby will do.” My eyes widened as I looked away from my niece to see the most handsome guy ever walking up the sidewalk. I hadn’t heard his truck in all the chaos, but there he was in dark wash jeans, cowboy boots, and a plaid shirt tucked in, showing off his narrow hips and broad shoulders. The bag in his hand with a puppy’s face on it and tissue paper sticking out made me swoon that much more. Damn. I was completely unprepared.

She babbled back at him, and I swear, my ovaries were screaming at me, GET A MOVE ON, HENRIETTA! HE WILL NOT LAST LONG! My grandma would probably say the same thing as soon as she met him.

“And that date you went on last week? I’ve seen you primp every day for work for longer than you took getting ready for that date.” Okay, so maybe she was right, but, “Was I really that obvious?” She nodded. “But I can’t blame you. He is gorgeous.” Her giggle made me laugh too. “He is. Grandma’s going to be real upset when she finds out I’m not allowed to date him.”

“Henrietta’s our only daughter, our baby girl.” I stalled my knife for a little while, then began chopping more slowly. I listened carefully for his words, despite the fact that I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears, the sound of child’s laughter coming from inside. “She’s got three brothers who would drop anything to be there for her, but she’s independent as hell and has a stubborn streak to match. She’s fiercely loyal, unendingly kind, and if you take her to a baseball field, she’s got a swing that won’t quit.”

“If you hurt my daughter or plan to drop her for another girl the second you go home, I’d appreciate it if you just went back to being coworkers only.” “We are only coworkers,” I said. A humorless smile twitched at the corner of his lips. “Either you’re lying to me or yourself. Which one is it?”

“Sir, where I come from, we do things a little differently when we meet a girl, a woman, we really like. I wouldn’t dream of getting serious with your daughter unless I first asked your permission. If it’s alright with you, I’d like the chance to date your daughter.” Another peal of laughter broke through the silence while I waited for Murphy’s answer. He gave me one of those easy smiles again and said, “You have my blessing.” I was about to celebrate when he added, “But Hen’s opinion is the one that matters.”

I kicked off my cowboy boots, set my cowboy hat on the edge of the tramp, and climbed up, hoping I wouldn’t embarrass myself too much in front of the adults outside.

“I have to keep up with my coworker,” I teased. Raven called from the folding table, “Keep it up, you two. That’s how this happened,” she pointed at her belly.

“Why don’t you let me hold A’yisha so you can get a plate?” I offered. She seemed surprised by the gesture. “Are you sure? You are the guest.” “And you’re the lady.” I extended my hands for her niece.

“You think I’m incapable of handling a child?” I asked, eyebrows raised. I already had her tucked against my side. A’yisha fit easily into my arms, light as a feather and so soft. Instinctually, I put my nose to her crown, smelling her sweet baby smell. None of my siblings had children yet, but my friends who had always welcomed a break.

They launched into the story, and I held A’yisha in my lap, wondering if someday, Henrietta and I would be telling the same story with a child of our own.

I hadn’t ever felt so at home on a work trip, but now, with Henrietta by my side, I felt it.

“Can I walk you to your truck?” Henrietta asked at my side. I nodded, sad the night had come to an end. As we walked down the sidewalk, barely lit by a lone streetlight, I said, “You know, I’m the one who’s supposed to be walking you to your door.”

“Henrietta, I have a question to ask you.” Her lips lifted slightly, and I smiled, realizing I was learning all her smiles, all her laughs. This one was shy, patient. “Will you go on a date with me?” I asked. Never before had I been so nervous to ask, so anxious for the answer... so crushed when her features fell.

“You just let a good one walk right out that door,” he said.

Tyler was the first man in my life who had asked me out, asked my father’s permission no less. He’d proven his character when he respected my no without a single argument. He was one in a million, and I was losing him. Had lost him.

I’d imagined happily ever after. I’d imagined moving to Texas and celebrating Thanksgiving with his family and Christmas with mine. I’d imagined little children with my skin tone and his hazel eyes pattering through our house.

I kept things strictly business with Tyler at the beginning of the week, hoping he wouldn’t see how turning him down had been the hardest thing I’d ever had to do.

I hadn’t ever voiced my plan aloud. But I knew I needed to get it off my chest. I needed someone to understand and tell me I wasn’t completely insane for letting a guy like Tyler walk away.

“You could find your person, Hen. Tyler could turn out to be nothing—but you’ll never know if you don’t give him a chance. And if you’d go through all of this for your grandma, don’t you think the potential love of your life deserves a date?”

She passed me the plate, and I was careful not to let my fingers touch hers, not to let the heat transfer from her skin to mine. I’d be a burning man with no way to save myself from the flames.

“Tyler, there was one thing I wanted to talk to you about...” My gut dropped. “Yeah? What’s up?” This couldn’t get any worse than rejection, right? Because I’d made countless moves on her, and now I knew all of them had been unwelcome. I felt like such a creep, reliving the kiss on her forehead, two-stepping at the bar, telling her she was beautiful... A dumb creep at that for misreading all the signs. “About the question you asked me the other night.” She took a breath, her eyes looking everywhere but at me. “I’m really sorry about that,” I began. “I shouldn’t have crossed a line, and I promise it won’t happen again.” Her eyes snapped to mine. “What if I want it to happen again?” “What?” I asked, my mind fumbling for a possible explanation. “I would be honored to go on a date with you, if you’re still interested, that is,” she said. There was so much vulnerability in her features, and even though I was overjoyed that she’d changed her mind, I had to ask... “What changed?” She smiled, as if to herself, and said, “Circumstances changed.” That was all I needed—I wasn’t about to look a gift horse in the mouth. “Are you free on Friday night?” She nodded, smiling. “I’ll pick you up from your place at seven?” “It’s a date.”

It had to be two years ago... when I realized dating on the job was idiotic. Not dating Hen felt even crazier, though. Despite how nervous I was.

“Two years. Which means I’m rusty as hell. Any tips?” “On getting laid? I have a few tricks up my sleeve.” “Okay, now I’m really regretting this call.” Rhett laughed. “Girls always loved you. You have that mama’s boy charm no one can resist.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m hanging up now.” “Girls like it when they feel like the most interesting thing in the room,” he said. “That hot waitress walks by? Don’t give her a second glance. Eyes on your date. She says something about her boring job? Ask her questions about it like it’s the most intriguing thing you’ve ever heard. She talks about how her nephew blew his first spit bubble, you’re in awe. Got it?”

“You want her falling for the real you and not some lame tip your brother gave you five minutes before the date. Just be yourself, okay? It’s enough. I promise it’s enough.”

“Hen, you look amazing, but Tyler already knows what you look like! He already likes you! Remember, this is just for you two to spend more time together and see what happens. No pressure at all.” Birdie nodded from where she sat on the bed. “I totally agree. You two are going to have so much fun tonight. Wherever you go.”

Tyler was surprising me with the destination of our date, and if I was being honest, I loved surprises. I loved that he was thinking of me enough to plan something he thought I’d love.

The doorbell rang, jerking us out of memory lane. I glanced at my watch and said, “Crap! He’s ten minutes early!” Mom nodded approvingly. “That’s the sign of a good man.” “Or an eager one,” Mara said with a wink.

I opened the door, and the sight of him standing there took my breath away. He held a full bouquet of purple blooms of all kinds, interspersed by greenery and baby’s breath. So tasteful and beautiful. I covered my mouth with my hand, never expecting this. “These are beautiful, Tyler. Are they for me?” “Unless you know another Henrietta,” he said, a teasing smile on his lips. He held the flowers out for me, and I breathed in the floral scents. Regardless of how things ended, I wanted to remember this moment when I was my grandma’s age. I wanted to reminisce on the fact that this handsome man had thought of me, cared for me, in a way that was so unexpected, so wholesome. “I’ll get a vase for these,” I said. Tyler chuckled, pointing toward the back window just in time for me to see Grandma hide again. “Looks like you’ll have some help.” My cheeks felt hot as I set the bouquet on the counter. “I’ll let them take care of these.”

I was on a date. With Tyler Griffen. The cute contractor with a smile that could replace the sun, muscled arms that would make any woman drool, a laugh that melted my insides, and enough ink to make him interesting without scaring off my parents. How could this be my life? “What?” he asked, smiling my way. “Nothing. This just doesn’t feel real,” I admitted. And just when I thought the night couldn’t get any better, he reached across the center seat, sliding his fingers through mine. “I feel the same way.”

Soon he pulled into the parking lot at the Brentwood Marina, and I said, “The date’s here?” “What?” he asked. “You weren’t expecting a fine-dining nautical experience?” I relaxed my brow. “It doesn’t seem very Tyler Griffen, farm boy from Texas with the cutest southern twang.” He chuckled, the sound melting me from the inside out. “It’s Tyler Griffen, formerly landlocked redneck who wants to impress the most beautiful girl in California.” My eyelids drifted closed with my smile, and I shook my head. “You are no redneck, you southern charmer.” “On that note, let me keep up my good streak and get your door.”

For a moment, I leaned my temple against his strong shoulder and pretended I was one of those girls who’d been doing this all the time. The kind of girl who had no lack of dates for Friday night and was always treated like a gem. That’s how Tyler made me feel, and I was high on the experience. High on him.

I missed Texas sunsets, all the bright colors meeting waving prairie grass, but this view, reflected in Henrietta’s eyes? It had to be my favorite.

“You don’t like compliments,” I observed. She met my eyes again. “I’m not used to them.” A little rip formed in my chest at the way Henrietta had been made to see the world. “If we make it to another date, I’ll give you plenty of practice.” Her laugh tinkled amongst the lap of waves on the boat. “If the food is this good, you know I’m there.”

As we drove back to her family’s home, her fingers tangled with mine, I couldn’t help but think it had been the perfect first date. The food and scenery were good, but getting to know Hen outside of work? Even better. I could talk to her for hours or sit silently beside her for the same amount of time. I didn’t want this date to end. Didn’t want to walk her to the end of the sidewalk and say goodnight.

She looked beautiful with the light from my dash reflecting off her skin, her dark eyes on mine.

“When I asked you out... you told me your job had a rule against it. What was really holding you back? I only ask because I wouldn’t ever want to do something that made you uncomfortable...” Two lines formed between her eyebrows. “What do you mean?” “After the way Janessa came on to me at the build site, there’s no way there’s a rule against dating contractors.” Her lips parted. “What did Janessa do?” At the disbelief in her voice, I felt like I should tread carefully. “That first day... she asked me out to dinner and implied we should spend some time together, if you know what I mean.” Henrietta pressed her lips together and shook her head. “That same day, she told me that I could lose my job if I dated you. I’ve been fretting over my attraction to you for weeks because of her.”

asked, hurt clear in her voice. “She saw the way I was looking at you after I told her no.” It was the only thing that made sense. “She was threatened by you.”