Page 17 of Exile & Lula

“What’s her name?”

“Tallulah. Her people call her Lula.”

“That’s sweet. Is she a poodle?”

Despite smiling at my sister, I sighed gruffly. “Don’t make fun of me.”

“You sure are sensitive for a tough guy,” she said and patted my chest. “Tell me what’s really bothering you.”

“I got her to the hospital. Her people were there. She seemed safe. I left like I should. My life is here. I have no reason to hang around and play her bodyguard.”

“But?” Nova asked when I didn’t offer anything more.

“I want to see her,” I admitted, feeling foolish for putting words to this crazy desire. “I’m worried about her. No, it’s more than that. I want to breathe the same air as she does.”

Nova’s concerned expression warmed, and a teasing smile appeared.

“My, oh, my, look at my brother with a crush on a poodle.”

“She’s an attorney.”

“So? I’m not impressed by schooling or diplomas. You know my stance on that.”

“You’ve never said anything about that before.”

“I knew you weren’t listening,” she muttered and reached over to the plate of cookies on the counter. “Want to know what I’d do if I were you?”

“I feel like you’re about to hurt my feelings.”

“Stop being so sensitive. I barely ever make you cry at all.”

Sharing her grin, I gestured for her to share.

“I’d clean up with a shower and a fresh set of clothes. Then, I’d jump on my hog and ride to that pretty lawyer lady.”

“How would that even work?”

Biting into the cookie, she asked, “What part of my flawless plan do you take issue with?”

“Can I show up at her house without looking like a wacko?”

“No, probably not, but you’re a handsome guy. Women will put up with a truckload of wacko behavior when a guy is packing muscles in the right places.”

“What if a guy you barely met showed up here to see you?”

“Is he hot like you or gross? Feel free to call me shallow, but his looks would absolutely affect my answer.”

“Hot, I guess,” I muttered, bothered by how she would be open to any guy showing up at the house to see her.

“And in this scenario, did the hot guy save me from the bad guys?”

Understanding her point, I smiled and nodded. “It’ll still seem fucked up.”

“She’s a beautiful woman, right? You’re a hot guy. Is she a snobby bitch?”

“She rides with the Crimson Guard. Her dad was a member of the Little Memphis club.”

“So, she’s hot and tough. You’re also hot and tough. What’s the real problem here?”