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“Only to you, Tankers,” the man replies.
“Never call me Tankers again.”
“You’ve got it, snookums,” the man says before shifting his attention to me. He’s wearing a backward baseball cap, his face clean-shaven. His gaze is bright and happy, his smile wide. “Well, well, who is this?”
“Dahlia Swanson,” Ryker replies. “This is Sawyer Maddox. I’m helping her find answers about what led to her accident.”
“Uh-huh.” Sawyer’s grin spreads. “Well, it is so nice to meet you. Come on, I’ll introduce you.” He gestures me forward, then points to a dark-haired man in the corner, a small child in his arms. “This is Garrison Holt. You know his wife Katelyn, I think. That’s their son, Thomas,” he adds, pointing to a teenage boy currently cutting up tomatoes.
“Hey, Dahlia,” Katelyn greets as she sets a glass of water in front of her husband.
“Hi, nice to see you again.”
“You, too,” she replies.
“This is my wife, Anastasia, who I know you already met.”
I nod and smile as Anastasia waves at me.
“This handsome fella here is Weston Hayes,” he gestures toward a tall, intimidating man who is nearly the same build as Ryker. His dark hair is longer on top, his gaze intense as he offers me a nod.
“Hi.”
“And this is his better half, Reese.” He points toward a red-haired woman carrying a baby girl on her hip.
She smiles widely at me, completely unguarded. “Hi, Dahlia, it is so nice to meet you.”
“You, too.”
“Is Ryker here?” A woman calls out.
We turn as an older woman comes down a hallway, her greying hair in a bun, a floral apron covering a yellow dress.
“And he brought a date,” Sawyer says.
“She’s not my date,” Ryker replies instantly. “She’s a client.”
I don’t miss the bite to his words, though I do try to pretend they don’t sting a little.
“Momma Knox, this is Dahlia Swanson,” Sawyer introduces.
“Dahlia.” Her eyes widen. “Yes, I heard about you. How are you feeling, darling? Oh, your poor face.” Her look of pity intensifies as she focuses in on the bruising.
I toy with the ends of my hair, her attention making me feel slightly self-conscious. I’ve never been a vain person, but walking around with your face covered in bruises doesn’t do much for the self-esteem. “I’m okay. You have a lovely home. Thank you for inviting me.”
“Of course.” She pulls me in for a quick hug before releasing me. “You are more than welcome anytime. I do hope you like lasagna. It was Sawyer’s turn to pick the menu.”
“You can thank me later,” he tells me with a wink.
His bright personality is such a match for his wife’s that I can’t help but smile. If ever there were true soulmates, it would be them.
“Let the girl sit down, Sawyer,” Momma Knox scolds as she gestures toward the table.
By the time I’ve taken my seat, Anastasia is already setting a glass of water in front of me and sitting down at my right side.
“Those clothes look like they fit great. And that color is fantastic on you. I knew it would be.” She grins, her gaze moving from me to Ryker, then back at me.
He only rolls his eyes.
