Free Waiting for Ty by Samantha Ann King Page B

mumbled.
    “Is it someone you work with?” Nikki asked.
    “No.”
    “Where did you meet?” she persisted.
    He didn’t answer. Not only because of the painful lump in his throat, but also because if he told them, they might figure out it was Ty.
    Nikki covered his hand with hers. “I’m sorry. We’re giving you the third degree when your heart is broken.” She squeezed his fingers. “I’m truly sorry. Do you want to talk about it?”
    “No.”
    “It might make you feel better.”
    In what universe? “Maybe later.”
    He glanced at Meredith. She was studying him as if her laser-like mind could pierce his skull and access all his secrets. Of the three siblings, she was the brightest, the most gifted. She’d started college when she was sixteen and earned her PhD in astrophysics at twenty-two. Now, at twenty-seven, she was an associate professor and would probably have tenure by next year. But she wasn’t happy. She worried. About everything. Nikki was also a worrywart, but it didn’t burden her like it did Meredith. He had no desire to add to his baby sister’s anxiety. She was already overwrought about Nikki’s pregnancy, even though her heart condition hadn’t slowed her down any.
    “Hey, Meredith,” he said gently. “I’m good. Don’t worry about me. Okay?”
    She shook her head. “I’m not.” But her voice was shaky, and her eyes were a little too bright.
    “Really. I’m fine,” he assured her.
    “I know.” She shook her head as she spoke, negating her affirmation.
    He rubbed the scar above his eye and gave up, at a loss as to how to put her mind at ease.
    Nikki patted his hand, refocusing his attention on her. “You’ll let me know when you’re ready to date again?”
    “Um. Yeah. Sure.” He wondered how much time this would buy him, because he didn’t think he’d be ready any time soon.

Chapter Twelve
    In a crowded bar a couple of blocks from the state capitol, Ty hunched over the notes he’d scribbled earlier that afternoon. The pretty young aide of a South Texas senator who couldn’t keep his pants zipped had given him dates, places and a half-dozen blatantly sexual emails. Even if the sexual harassment hadn’t bothered him, he couldn’t ignore the stupidity of sending the emails. How the hell did people like that get elected?
    The bartender approached him, but Tyler waved him off. He’d barely touched his beer. Maybe that was why he was so irritable.
    Yeah , right.
    He checked his watch for the third time in five minutes. Annie wasn’t late, but he was annoyed that he was still waiting for her. He shouldn’t have asked her out again. He’d known after their first date she wasn’t the one. It wasn’t fair to her. But he kept hoping to find someone who could replace Landon.
    He tried to concentrate on his notes so he could work out his next step in the story of the harassing senator. A subtle change in the bar’s atmosphere made him lift his head.
    There she was, standing just inside the door, scanning the bar for him. He lifted a hand to catch her attention and crossed the room to meet her. There wasn’t a man in the restaurant who wasn’t checking her out—openly or surreptitiously, depending on whether he was with a woman or not. Tall, blond and built. Even in the conservative black suit, Annie was stunning, no doubt about it. Smart, too. She could hold up her end of a political argument with him, and she loved playing devil’s advocate. She was perfect for him.
    Except she wasn’t Landon. Fuck, he missed his friend. When he’d walked out of Landon’s apartment that last time, he’d been eviscerated. At least that’s what it’d felt like. As if someone had gutted him with a dull, rusty, hunting knife. And that wound hadn’t healed over the last two months. They settled into a booth, and as soon as the waitress disappeared with the drink order, Ty said, “Listen. I’m sorry. I don’t have much time tonight. I’ve got a lead on a story.”
    She frowned,