Free By His Hand: Truly Yours Digital Edition by Jennifer Johnson Page B

booths. Victoria was sitting on a high-seated stool. Zack leaned over her shoulder and pointed to something on her desk. Something stirred inside Chris.
    He watched as Victoria nodded, picked up a pen, and wrote something down. A sweet expression wrapped her face as she looked back up at Zack. A knot formed in Chris’s throat, and his temperature rose when Zack smiled down at Victoria.
    Chris could see the words “good job” drip from Zack’s lips, and then Victoria lowered her eyelashes and gazed back down at the paper. The muscles in Chris’s arms began to twitch as anger raced down them.
What is the matter with me?
Chris glanced at the painting on his left and then shook his head and shoved his fists in his jeans’ pockets.
    I’m full-blown jealous
. He glanced at Victoria, who now sat alone in her booth. She seemed busy writing something on a notepad. The green shirt complimented her dark curls and light complexion. She looked like a breath of fresh summer air. But he couldn’t be jealous over Victoria. The notion was ridiculous on too many levels.
    Just get your deposit done and get on out of here. It’s been a long week
. He walked toward her and placed his checks and deposit slip on the counter. “Hi, Victoria.”
    She jumped. “Chris, I didn’t hear anyone come in.”
    “I see you got the job.”
    “I did.” She clasped her hands, and Chris couldn’t help but notice how perfect her nails seemed, how soft her hands looked. He also noted her fingers were bare of any jewelry except a small silver band on her right hand ring finger. She added, “And I love it already.”
    “That’s great.” All thoughts and words seemed to escape Chris. He stood looking at her, taking in that he’d never before noticed her lips actually had a kind of pouty shape to them. They were appealing and seemed to be more enticing with each blink.
    She cleared her throat. “Did you want to make a deposit?”
    “Yes.” Chris pushed the checks and deposit slip closer to her.
    “It may take me a minute.” She smiled. “I’m new at this you know.”
    “Take your time. I took the day off to run errands, get my hair cut, stuff like that.”
    She glanced up at him before turning back to her computer. “Your hair looks nice.”
    He felt his ears burn at her compliment. “Thanks.”
    She finished the transaction and handed him the receipt. “You were my first bank customer.”
    Chris noted the slip with the correct amount and account numbers typed on it. “Well, you did a great job.”
    “You know I’m supposed to come by and spend time with Abby today, but I don’t know if I will be able to.”
    “She’ll understand that you had to work.”
    “It’s not that. I get off at four, but I hate to ask Sondra to come pick me up, take me to your house, and then have to pick me up again.” She sighed. “I’ll be glad when I get my Suburban back.”
    “I’ll be in town. Why don’t you let me pick you up at four, and then I’ll take you home whenever you’re ready?”
    Victoria peered at him. “Do you really want to do all that for the Mary Ann Mangler?”
    “I’m beginning to see that the Mary Ann Mangler is a very nice woman who doesn’t deserve that nickname.”
    Victoria’s eyebrows rose. “Oh? And what nickname does she deserve?”
    Chris felt his stomach knot and his chest tighten. He had to admit he was falling for her. Falling for her hard. Now he had to decide if he wanted to ignore his feelings or if he wanted to go after this girl. He cocked his head as nicknames of endearment and love filled his mind. “Fresh air,” he whispered.
    “What?”
    He shook his head and willed his attraction to take a backseat in his brain. “Never mind. So will you come? Can I pick you up at four?”
    “Sure. I’ll call Sondra and tell her she doesn’t have to worry about me.” Victoria placed her hand on Chris’s. His heart sped up with the touch, and he feared she could feel his racing heartbeat through his veins.