No Man Left Behind: A Veteran Inspired Charity Anthology by Elizabeth Knox (black authors fiction TXT) 📕

need to address right away. It is just mostly new clients and one complaint. After reading it, I see that I need to talk to Arnie. It looks like he got a little loose lipped with a snow bunny that was at the mall. Fuck, I hate goddamn tourists, but they pay the bills.

A tapping is heard at my office door, and I look up and see Jareth. He's got a big ol’ grin on his face and a coffee cup in his hand.

“What are you smiling at? Don't you have some work to do?" I ask as I continue to read through my emails.

“I'm smiling cuz I want to know if you have called that cute physical therapist of yours?” he responds.

“That’s none of your damn business. I told you that that's not going to happen. Why would she want a broken-down soldier when she can have anyone?” I growl.

“There's nothing broken about you. You know you're as good enough for her as any person in this damn world. You got to stop feeling sorry for yourself and get out there and get what you want,” he demands.

“Are you trying to be funny? Have you not looked at my leg and fucked up brain? There is no way on this side of hell that beautiful woman would want to have anything to do with me.” I shuffle some papers after giving him a deadpan look.

“We all got some damage, it's how we live our life, it’s how we handle it. You using your damage as an excuse not to be happy and find love is bullshit. I've seen the way that girl looks at you, and I know that she wants you. You just need to get over yourself and everything that's happened. Ask that woman out,” he insists.

“I'll think about it, but I'm not going to push this issue,” I say to end the conversation. “When Arnie comes in, I need you to send him my way. I need to figure out what happened at that mall. Probably fucking hitting on another tourist again. When is he going to learn? Work’s not where you pick up a woman.” I shake my head in disgust.

By the time the day is over with, I've got a splitting headache. I was right, he was just trying to pick up another damn tourist. After a long talk and a little bit of yelling, I think I've got him to understand that he needs to cool his shit when he's on the job. I want to beat it in his head, but liability laws and such, would make it not look so good on my end.

Glancing at the clock, I see that it is almost three. Shit, where has the time gone? I shut down my computer and head out to the main lobby area. I see that the guys have already left for the day or to their shifts at their job sites.

The drive home is quick and I can already see Hope’s Jeep parked on the street in front of my house. I pull into the drive and throw the truck in park. I walk over to her Jeep, and pull open the driver side door as she greets me with a smile. Careful is in the back and barking his head off.

“Hey, I hope you didn't have to wait too long. I just had to finish up a few things at the office before I could come home,” I say as I grab Careful’s leash. I give him a quick head scratch and he jumps from the back of the vehicle. I walk him around to the side where Hope is waiting with a bag.

“Nope, we just pulled in,” she reassures me.

I notice her bandages, grabbing her hand I pull it toward me for a closer look.

“What happened?” I ask concerned.

“You know me, I lost my footing on some ice and took a tumble.” I give her a doubtful look. “No, seriously, I’m fine. It’s just a scratch. I'll be good as new in a couple of days.” Satisfied with her answer, I nod my head.

We walk side-by-side up to the house and I open the front door and let the dog in. I hold it open for her and watch her ass as she sashays by. Not wanting to be caught checking her ass out, I quickly turned to shut the door. I’m not fast enough and I see her face light up with a delicate blush.

“So, I want to thank you for doing this for me. Maybe, this will make you change your mind about possibly taking on a service dog,” she urges as she turns away and sets the bag down on the couch.

“Is that what this is about? Are you trying to have me watch Careful, so I would want to take on a pet?” I asked.

“No . . . well . . . maybe . . . and Careful is more than just a pet, he would be a companion and a helper,” she firmly states.

“Hope . . .” I begin but she cuts me off.

“Would you just give it a chance? Keep Careful for me for a couple of days and then tell me how you feel after. That's all I'm asking. Just give it a chance,” she utters, almost begging.

Not wanting to disappoint her, just wanting to do something to see her smile again, I nod my head yes.

“Oh my God! Thank you! Thank you! You know you can be pig headed at times, but you have the sweetest, softest heart and soul. I mean, I think that's why I . . .” she starts as she rushes up to me and throws her arms around my neck, she pulls me in for a hug.

I automatically wrap my arms around her and pull her tight. I can feel her big breasts crushed against my chest and all I want to do is taste. “Well, time to go!” she says as she steps back