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Classy. “Sorry, I’m on duty tonight.” She didn’t need to know it was calendar duty and neither did Eddy.
“Well I’ll just leave you two alone to get acquainted. Remember Rafe to show Tonya that Tulip knows how to treat strangers.” There was a gleam in her eyes as she walked away to join the other matchmakers set up right beside the table where Ry, Preston, Jase and Antonio were signing autographs and taking photos with women who had a fetish for men in uniform.
“So Rafe, that’s such a great name.”
“Thanks.” My gaze wandered back to the door and then around the room twice, clockwise and then counterclockwise and still, no Janey.
“I’m just gonna be honest with you Rafe. I’m not looking for a husband right now and even if I were, this town is too damn small for the life I want.”
My shoulders relaxed before I could be bothered to worry if I’d just been insulted or not. “Okay, great because I’m not in the habit of marrying women I don’t know.”
Her smile spread, wide and seductive. “But you’re hot and so am I and we could wreck a couple of beds before the sun comes up. What do you say?” In another time and another place, I would have grabbed her by the hand and found the nearest dark room or flat surface. She had that kind of confidence that I used to find appealing.
Instead, Nate’s words rang in my ears like a damn bell. I wasn’t interested in Tonya and it had nothing to do with her, she was gorgeous and willing and straightforward about what she wanted. But dammit, she wasn’t Janey. “Thanks for the offer but I’m gonna have to pass.”
She frowned but the look was more of confusion than offense. “Did the other woman get here first?”
Now it was my turn to look confused. “Other woman?”
She rolled her wide green eyes that were the wrong shape and the wrong shad, and released a frustrated sigh. “So what’s the problem then? Are you gay?”
I barked out a laugh at her arrogance, not offended in the slightest. “If it’ll make you feel better, I can say yes.”
Her eyes went wide. “There’s someone else. I waxed and bought a new dress to come down here and there’s someone else? Unbelievable!” She dug around in her tiny purse until she freed her hand and her cell phone with a victorious grin. “The last time I listen to a bunch of old ladies.”
“They mean well,” I told her with a shoulder shrug, “but they are ruthless when it comes to matching up the hometown heroes so go easy on them.”
Tonya turned to me and handed me her business card. “When you’re free again, give me a call. Offer stands.”
I flashed a bland smile that she took as acceptance, flashing her own confident smile before sauntering off, eyeing all the men in the room in search of a plan B. “Damned matchmakers,” I grumbled and headed to the bar for another beer. “Another please, Buddy.”
The old guy dug an icy bottle from behind the bar and slammed it on the bar in front of me with an amused grin. “Having fun already, huh?”
“So much fun I can hardly contain myself,” I told him and took another quick look for Janey before I took a long, fortifying gulp.
“Poor kid, in love with a great woman and having two more beauties panting after you.” Buddy snorted and shook his head. “I’d kill to have your problems.”
“Really? Because I know for a fact that Eddy and Helen aren’t seeing anybody.”
His salt and pepper brows dipped low. “Just what the hell are you gettin’ at boy?”
“Just that if you really wanted my problems you could have them. In fact,” I reached for the bottle and stood, glancing over my shoulder at the far too interested matchmakers. “Maybe I’ll go let the old girls know that with the calendar project complete, it’s time to focus on some of our more seasoned heroes.”
Buddy wiped down the already clean and dry bar with a whistle before he looked up at me with a conspiratorial smile on his face. “Keep your trap shut and your next Trivia Night tab is on the house.”
I flashed a wide smile and held my hand out. “Deal.”
“Dammit,” he grumbled. “That was too damn easy.” I laughed and Buddy shook his head with a grin that slowly faded and darkened. “Incoming. Betty and Helen with a leggy blonde.”
I froze at his words for just a second before I held my bottle close and took a long, fortifying sip. “Maybe a shot of something strong to go with this,” I whispered before turning with my best choir boy smile. “Helen. Betty. To what do I owe the pleasure.”
“We told Eddy she had no idea what you’d like, but we do.” Helen flashed a proud smile and almost as if choreographed, stepped aside to make sure the leggy blonde reveal was as dramatic as possible. “This is Shannon McIntyre and she’s come all the way down to meet you.”
