Page 10 of Broken Halos
Ollie took a deep breath and released it slowly then he entered my private domain, eyes searching the room for…what? Secrets? Answers to what made me tick? “I didn’t realize the address Henry gave me was to Ryan’s Place,” he said when his gaze met mine once more. “I wouldn’t have shown up here without warning if I’d known.”
“You wouldn’t have shown up here at all,” I corrected.
“You’re right. I would’ve asked Henry to meet me somewhere else.”
“I hate that you feel unwelcome here,” I admitted. “It was never my intent.”
“No?” Ollie asked, raising a brow. “You made it perfectly clear you didn’t want to see me.”
“I know what I said, Ollie.” The truth was, I didn’t expect him to listen. I mean, I knew he’d stop pursuing me, but I didn’t think he’d really disappear altogether. “How have you been?”
He looked shocked I’d asked. “Um, I’ve stayed busy, but things are going well.”
“They’re about to get busier from what I hear.”
“I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
Did he think I meant his dating life? Had he met someone? “Isn’t there a bowling league starting tonight?” I prompted.
“Oh. Oh yeah. I’ve been looking forward to it.” He rubbed the back of his neck like he was nervous or something. Maybe he just wasn’t sure how to act around me, but who could blame him. “Do you bowl?”
“Oh, hell no,” I said emphatically. “I do many things well, but bowling isn’t one of them.”
“I bet.” A slight blush slowly spread across his face, letting me know he wasn’t thinking about my bowling skills. I couldn’t resist temptation.
“You bet I suck at bowling or that I suck well?”
He shuffled his feet and broke eye contact. “I’d never insult any of your…um…skills.”
“Are you any good?” I asked, discreetly adjusting the erection tenting my sweatpants. I was so grateful I had a desk between us.
Ollie’s head snapped up, and his dark eyes blazed. “Are we talking about bowling still? Wait! Don’t answer because I’m sure this conversation will lead us somewhere you don’t want it to go.” I was thrilled to knowhestill wanted to go there with me.
“Like a prop closet?” I suggested.
“Or maybe just a closed office.” He gestured to the door like Vanna White did the big puzzle board onWheel of Fortune. “Why don’t you come and see for yourself how good I am? And yes, in this particular instance, I am talking about my bowling skills. We’ll be at Queen City Lanes tonight from eight to eleven.”
“Oliver, I don’t know. I don’t like to leave the house unattended…”
“I can stay,” Esther said from the hallway. “I don’t mind.”
“You stay late on Wednesday nights so I can emcee the drag revue,” I pointed out to her.
“Ollie, we’re not children who need constant supervision,” Reggie said from behind Esther, wearing white powder all down the front of his navy blue T-shirt. I’d overheard Esther giving him lessons on using the washing machine, and it looked like Reggie might’ve lost the battle inMan Vs. Machine: Transition Home Edition.
“What do you have to lose?” Ollie asked innocently. Fuck, I had everything to lose if I couldn’t keep my hands off the good pastor.
“Not a damn thing,” Esther added before guiding Reggie down the hallway.
“So, will I see you there tonight?”
“I don’t know, Ollie. I have so many things I should be doing. I need to place our weekly food order and put third-quarter figures together for my accountant, and—”
“Wash your hair?” Ollie said, offering another excuse I could use. “I promise to be good.”
“Define good.”
“I’ll try not to let on I’m imagining what you look like naked.”