Free Tempting Tatum by Kaylee Ryan Page A

beautiful green eyes hold mine captive. “Thank you, but it wasn’t you. I still have triggers.” She smiles softly. “That’s what Brent calls them.”
    I tuck her hair behind her ear. The thick locks feel like silk. “I’m a good listener if you ever need to talk,” I tell her.
    She nods. No words are needed.
    I lift her hand to my lips and place a gentle kiss on her knuckles. “Okay, well how about we run to the parts store and get that alternator. We can stop and grab an early lunch while we’re out. Then we can come back here and I’ll have you fixed up in no time,” I say, trying to distract her.
    I stand up and feel her grab my wrist. I look down at her.
    “Thank you, Blaise,” she says softly.
    I smile and pull her to her feet, and lead her to my truck.
     

 
     
    The last month has flown by. My job is great. Nancy, who has taken it upon herself to mother me, has been showing me the ropes. She and I have become close in such a short time. She found out I was looking for an apartment and suggested her daughter Ember was looking for a roommate. She insisted I come to their family’s Fourth of July barbeque to meet her daughter. I was reluctant at first, but she even invited Leah and Brent. Her sister Ruth is Brent’s office manager.
    “We are all one big happy family,” she told me. “Besides, you and Ember will hit it off and I worry about her living alone.”
    The guilt trip did it and is why Leah, Brent, and I are currently loaded in Brent’s SUV headed toward Nancy and Steve Richards’ house.
    Leah turns around in her seat to face me. “Tate, we like having you with us. You don’t need to move,” she pouts.
    I smile at her. “I know that, Leah. I need to do this. I need to start moving forward. I appreciate you guys for bringing me with you and being there to support me, but I need to let you live your lives so I can start living mine again,” I tell her.
    My words sound way more brave than what I really am. The thought of being on my own scares me, even living with a roommate. My world is about to once again shift, but it needs to. I need to let Leah and Brent start their life as true newlyweds would. Living alone. I need to start mine as well, moving forward.
    One day at a time.
    “Nancy is great. If Ember is anything like her mother, we’ll be fast friends. I’ll be fine, promise,” I reassure her.
    Brent and Leah share a look before she turns back to face me again. “You are a part of our family, Tate. You will always be welcome and have a place with us. Never forget that,” she tells me.
    Tears prick my eyes. My best friend, my savior. “I love you for that, both of you. I need to do this.”
    Leah nods her head, letting me know she understands. She may not be happy about it, but she gets it. The rest of the ride is filled with chatter of our work weeks. Leah started working part-time as a school nurse, just filling in here and there. She and Brent want kids right away, so working for the school system is the perfect job for her.
    Brent pulls into a packed driveway. Nancy lives on the outskirts of town, but still within the city limits. This is a requirement for her husband, Steve, since he is the fire chief. Their twin boys, Asher and Blaise, also work for the department. Nancy says they are volunteers. The department is a big part of their life. You can tell just by the way Nancy speaks of her husband and kids she’s very proud. Hell, their names, Ember, Asher, and Blaise, alone speak volumes to the family’s dedication to the department.
    Climbing out of the SUV, I grab the cake I made this afternoon. I found the recipe on Pinterest. I used strawberries and blueberries to make it patriotic. Leah grabs the cookies she made and Brent grabs the cooler with our drinks. We head toward the big white tent in the side yard. We don’t make it ten feet before I hear my name being called.
    “Tatum!”
    I turn my head to follow the voice, and I see Nancy headed toward me. She takes