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the driveway for a second time. Waiting a
    few more hours was preferable to confronting a hung-over, abusive
    ex-boyfriend.
    “Well, I’d say I’m sorry that this didn’t work out,” Tyler said.
    “But I’m not sorry that I get to spend a little more time with you. I don’t like the idea of you running from one cold hotel room to the
    next, and I do wish you’d agree to stay a few more days.”
    “I’m sorry to be such a burden. As soon as I can get my car, I’ll
    get out of your hair.”
    “Believe me, Sara. I am very much enjoying having you in my
    hair. I get very little female companionship, and I would love it if we could sit on the couch and watch chick flicks all afternoon until Gage gets home.”
    Despite her fears and insecurities, Sara laughed. When he put it
    like that, who was she to turn him down? Besides the thought of
    curling up on the couch with Tyler sent a fire straight to her core.
    “I’d like that, too,” she said softly. She just hoped that she could
    continue to keep her hormones in check.

    * * * *

    By the time that Gage returned that evening, Tyler was convinced
    that Sara was the perfect woman for them. She was caring and
    thoughtful, going out of her way to do little things like offering to get their drinks while he was making the popcorn, and pausing the movie
    when his phone rang. To a lot of people, it was just common courtesy, but the little things really mattered to Tyler.
    The phone call that interrupted their movie had been Gage calling
    to say that he was on his way home. Tyler asked him to pass by Sara’s house on the way in to see if the truck was still parked in the drive.

    Protectors
    39
    Sara had visibly tensed on the couch when she heard that, but Tyler
    was able to divert her again by starting a small popcorn war with her as soon as he hung up the phone.
    Watching her behavior was quickly becoming one of his favorite
    pastimes. She laughed at all the funny parts in the movie and had a
    tendency to fidget and bite her bottom lip during the more sexual
    romantic scenes. He was hoping that all of the fidgeting was because
    he wasn’t alone in his attraction. Throughout the day there had been a couple of times where the atmosphere had become charged between
    them, and he didn’t believe that it was all one-sided.
    He’d deliberately inched closer to her as the movie had
    progressed, and eventually he’d convinced her to put her feet up in his lap so that he could rub her ankles and shapely calves under the
    blanket that she had thrown over her legs.
    He tried to keep their interactions light and friendly because he
    didn’t want to scare her off, but just being in close proximity to her had been enough to keep him semi-erect all day. He wouldn’t push
    things any further without Gage present, but he was convinced, more
    now than ever, that Sara needed to be a part of their lives. Once Gage got to know her, he was going to love her.
    “Gage is back,” Tyler said, hearing the truck pull up.
    Sara pulled her feet out of his lap and scooted away as if she
    didn’t want to be caught sitting too close to him. To make her more
    comfortable, Tyler got up and went to answer the door.
    “Was the truck still there?” Tyler asked, after Gage had a few
    minutes to settle in.
    “Yeah,” he answered. “There wasn’t anyone around that I could
    see, but the truck hasn’t moved.”
    “Unfortunately, his work schedule changes. It can be hard to tell
    when he’ll be home if he isn’t taking the truck. He may not have gone to work at all, or he could be down at the station and we’ve wasted a whole day thinking that he’s home,” Sara said.

    40
    Samantha Blair
    “I guess you’re stuck with us for another night,” Tyler teased.
    “We better wait until we know for sure that he’s gone.”
    “I agree with Tyler,” Gage added. “We can try again in the
    morning if you want, but there is no rush. You can stay here for as
    long as it takes.”
    Not wanting to give