Free Microsoft Word - Taxes_and_TARDIS-NR_Walker.doc by Dawn Page A

then at his sister and reluctantly left us alone to greet whoever had just walked into the store. I started to pack up my gear.
    "He thinks very highly of you," Beth said somewhat dismissively, as though to her the idea made no sense.
    I smiled regardless. "I happen to think very highly

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    of him too."
    "How did you meet?" she asked, point blank.
    I sighed, wondering what her angle was. "I took a shoebox full of receipts and records into my new
    accountant."
    She nodded like she finally understood. "So after he's got you the best tax deal possible, you'll just dump him?"
    "What?" I stared at her disbelievingly. I shook my head. "No…"
    I couldn't believe this woman. She didn't know
    me—at all. I'd just fixed her lighting problem in her store—
    for free—and yet she proceeded to judge me for an asshole.
    She gave a loud sigh, as though her own rudeness
    bothered her. "Look," she started, "you seem like a nice guy but forgive me for being protective of him. I've always had to look out for him since he was little from people like—" She stopped short.
    "From people like me?" I finished for her. "You don't even know me."
    Beth looked over her shoulder, ensuring Logan was
    out of earshot. "Logan's sweet, but he gets taken advantage of." Then she finished quietly with, "I can tell he's taken with you. I just don't want to see him hurt."
    "Neither do I," I told her truthfully. "But you should

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    give him more credit. And for what it's worth, I'm rather taken with him, too."
    Beth stared at me. I think she was trying to gauge the sincerity of my words, or maybe they'd surprised her.
    Logan walked hesitantly into the storage room. He could obviously feel the tension in the room because he glanced between us. "Everything okay?"
    I gave him a smile. "Sure." I picked up my tools.
    "But I have to get going. I told Tim we'd hang out this afternoon."
    He shot his sister a warning glance then looked at me. "Okay," he said with a tight smile. "Tell him I said
    'hello'. And thank you so much for fixing the lights. I'm sure Beth's very grateful." He gave his sister a pointed stare, prompting her to reply.
    "Oh, yes, I am. Thank you," she said. "Really, thank you. And I'm sorry about before. I'm sure you can
    understand."
    And the shitty thing was I did understand. Logan
    himself had told me he had a rough time at school and college, and that must have been hard for his sister to witness. I gave her a nod, and then I picked up the reel of cable and walked over to Logan. "It really was no bother at all," I told him. Seeing the store was empty of customers, save Beth standing behind us, I leaned in and kissed his

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    cheek. His eyes darted to his sister, and a deep blush covered his pale cheeks. I smiled. "Call me tonight?"
    He nodded, and I left without even looking to see
    the expression on Beth's face. But as I walked out the front door, and before it could close behind me, I heard Logan snap at his sister. "What the hell did you say to him?"

    * * * *

    I was on my second beer and losing disgracefully at pool when Tim eyed me cautiously. "Wassup, Brent? I take it meeting the sister didn't go too well. You've been a moody pain in the ass since you got home."
    I sighed. He had the tact of a wrecking ball. "No, it didn't go too well."
    "Why not?"
    I shrugged. "She doesn't like me."
    Tim frowned as though the concept was ludicrous.
    "What the hell's her problem?"
    I snorted. "I'm not good enough."
    "You're what?"
    I shrugged again. "She thinks I'm not good enough,"
    I said again. "Well, that's what she implied. That I'm only out to hurt him because someone like me couldn't possibly like someone like him ."

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    "That's bullshit."
    I looked at Tim, knowing he'd answer me honestly.
    "Are we that different?"
    Tim put his beer down. "You know what? Who
    gives a fuck what anyone else thinks? What