And of course I would be looking like a hot mess. I sighed realizing that my luck hadn’t changed. Not to mention he had dredged up the cringe worthy nickname.

Welcome home.

“Hi, Thomas,” I groaned in embarrassment while pulling out my hair tie and running my fingers through the tangled ends.

“Yes, it’s me Patricia, but I go by Trish now.” I muttered the second part glancing one last time into the rearview mirror and hoping I wouldn’t frighten him.

I yanked the door open and stepped onto the pavement. As I stood up in front of Thomas, I reached the height of his shiny badge and looked up into his steely black eyes.

Boom.

Even in the moonlit night I saw his smirky smile showing just a hint of the boyhood dimple I had loved. But there was nothing boy about him now. Nope. He radiated hot alpha male, decked out in his perfect fitting police uniform.

I licked my lips, and a dirty thought went through my sex-starved mind as I wondered where he kept his handcuffs, or if he might like to use his stun gun on me. I was close to holding out my wrists in surrender.

“I would’ve never guessed it was you.” Thomas scanned up and downed my body. The effect his eyes had on me only added to my already heightened state of alert. “You’ve changed.” The smirk was now a full blow knee-weakening smile, and I was glad to be leaning against the car door.

He seemed to like what he saw and then I remembered my tragic hair or rat’s nest. Darn kitten.

“Yes, it’s the hair. I’m trying out a new do. I’m calling it, Confined Cat Curls.” I lowered my head and giggled.

“Well, your hair is a little wild. But…wow. You look great. Nothing like the Patty Cake I once knew.”

I looked down at the pavement and smiled after his compliment. I didn’t mind Patty Cake too much. It was the other nickname I hated. The ugly one I’d worn in shame during my school days. Fatty Patty.

Well, I sure didn’t fit that description anymore, if Thomas’ continued glances at my boobs were any indication.

When I headed to Boston for college, I changed my entire lifestyle. Instead of gaining the freshman fifteen, I lost fifty pounds and tightened up my curves. My entire life transformed from being a wallflower to getting unsolicited attention from boys who never gave me a second glance before.

“Thanks for noticing.” I leaned against the car with my hands behind my back. The new angle let me take in the entire view of Thomas, and damn it was a view. It was my turn to peruse, and I think he liked the new position of my boobs too. All win.

“You’ve changed too.” I paused and decided if my hair didn’t freak him out, I might as well go for the gold. “Nicely.”

Thomas stood a little taller. “Gotta stay in shape with all the criminals I have to chase around here.”

I laughed knowing the worst criminals in town where the jaywalkers. “It has to be a rough job. Like now. Helping damsels with car trouble.”

“Not just any damsel.” Thomas lowered his voice and moved closer to me and I sunk down lower against the curve of the car door. “I specialize in helping lost girls find their way home.”

A shiver ran down my spine even though the night was unseasonably warm. “Is that so?”

“So I’ve been told.” Thomas inched toward me. He was so near I could smell his cologne. A nice mix of a spice and woodsy scent. My senses started to distract me, but Tommie wouldn’t be ignored and decided to let his presence be known.

“Meow,” Tommie cried out in neglected misery.

“That would be my cat,” I explained while tilting my head toward the car’s interior. “He’s had a rough ride locked in his little carrier for over eight hours.”

“I bet. What’s his name?” Thomas inquired as he peered into the car to see a black kitten staring at him.

“Tommie,” I spoke in a hush knowing the name was also Thomas’ old nickname. I held my head down to avoid his eyes.

“Tommie?” He scoffed. “Should I be flattered?”

“You wish.” It was my turn to mock him. “His official name is Tomcat.” I lied to save my ass. It seemed easier than saying I saw the cat and thought of your black as night hair, so I named him Tommie.

“Sure,” Thomas replied as he raised a brow at me and stared me down for a few long seconds, maybe wondering if he could spot my fib.

“So you said your car’s broken down.”

“No, I like pulling over to the side of the road and having a cat claw my hair into a rat’s nest.”

“I see you brought back a little of New York City with you.” Now Thomas had both brows raised at me. But I didn’t miss the fact that he knew I’d been in New York City. My heart might have leapt a little at the thought.

“Sorry, I’m a little fried.”

“It’s okay. I get it.” Thomas reached out and rubbed my arm, which made me forget what we were talking about.

“Huh?” I asked, still numb.

“The car, driving all day. And why you’re back in town.” He likely knew everything since secrets were hard to contain in a small town like Marietta. I’m still amazed at my aunt for hiding her Demi Duke side for all those years.

“It’s not where I thought I’d be a couple months ago,” I confessed. “But I’m here.”

“Let’s call you a tow.” Thomas stood tall and pulled out his radio. He pressed a few buttons and put it up to his ear. “Hey, I’m with a stranded driver and need you to dispatch a wrecker.”

I watched Thomas as he listened to the response and nodded his head, seeming so in charge of my problem. I continued to take in this hot alpha man, and enjoyed the view of what looked like grapefruits packed away under his shirtsleeves. The man must work out three hours a day or combine it with other extracurricular activities, perhaps those of a sexual nature. Wonder if he’s looking for a new workout partner? I mentally raised both hands and stifled a laugh.

“Yes, I’m still at the same stop where I last radioed in.” Thomas glanced over my car. “It’s a late model Ford Focus. Black with its lights flashing. I’ll stay here with the vehicle until the truck arrives. Barring another dispatch.”

Thomas ended the call and put his phone away. “Okay, the tow truck should be here in a few minutes. Any ideas how we can pass the time?”

He twitches his brows and winks.

Oh boy.

I can’t seem to find a quick, clean answer to that question.

“Well, I’d rather not get back in the car and wait. I’ve been in it all day.” I crossed my arms over my chest and eyed Thomas. I might have pushed my boobs together a bit to enhance my cleavage. I wanted to make a point… or two.

“How about we sit on the hood of your car and catch up.” He reached around me and opened the car door. I scooted out of the way as Thomas retrieved Tommie’s carrier.

“Can’t have him all by his lonesome. Us Tommie’s need to stick together.”

Thomas seemed to be ribbing me about naming the cat after him, though I’d never admit it out loud. Instead I kept my mouth closed and followed him around to the front of my car.

“Sit here.” Thomas patted the hood of the car and I eased myself up onto the metal. Years ago I would’ve dented the damn thing, but today there wasn’t even a give as I sat on it.

Careful not to scratch the car, Thomas placed Tommie next to me and the cat appeared to be sleeping for now. “The engine is still warm.” I said after feeling the engine’s heat against my butt.

“The night is warm too. It’s felt like Indian summer for the last week.” Thomas turned to lean his backside against the front of the car. His long legs were hardly an inch away from mine. His invasion of my personal space felt deliciously inappropriate considering we hadn’t seen each other in eight years. “Anyway, I’m sorry about your aunt. I always liked her. Kind of kept to herself though.”