Page 5 of Breakaway Hearts

“Is she off-limits too?” Miles asks, clearly not on his first drink, but there is nothing but sincerity in his question.

“If she wants to be, but she’s still under my protection,” I say it with a tone that hopefully lets them know my protection encompasses all of them. “What have I missed?”

“Colt struck out, which was hilarious,” Donovan shares. “And Ben has been staring at that blonde for the past half hour, but he’s too chicken shit to actually talk to her.”

“It’s not that simple,” Ben defends himself.

“Do you have a sordid history where you broke her heart? Did you kill her father? Date her sister?” Colt asks.

“He’s never even spoken to her before,” Miles shares.

“Then I don’t get the problem.”

“She’s gorgeous. Crazy smart. And I have pickup lines, but none that don’t sound ridiculously cheesy.”

“Please share them with the group,” Colt asks.

“You don’t need cheesy pickup lines,” I argue. Colt could pull off the most terrible pickup lines and still go home with a girl, but unless the blonde’s type is cute and nervous, Ben needs a different approach.

“I could ask her what classes she’s taking this semester? Maybe offer to study together if we both have McManus again?”

I can’t stop the grin when I understand this isn’t a bar pickup, he’s been into her for a while.

“Or, you could just go up to her and say hi, introduce yourself, and ask her name.”

“Danica,” he tells me.

“Pretend you don’t know. Unless she looks hurt, then explain you didn’t want to make assumptions, or make her feel bad because you don’t expect everyone to know you, but you can’t see how anyone could miss the most beautiful girl in…whatever class you have together.”

“You make it sound so easy.” He sighs like he’s already lost.

“It is.”

“You think you can just walk up to any girl in here, say hi, and she’ll sleep with you?” Miles raises an eyebrow at me.

I want to point out that I said striking up a conversation was easy, not that every woman here would sleep with me if I asked…but my odds aren’t so bad on that one either, as long as she’s single. Not that she’d necessarily say no if she was taken, but I’m not a homewrecker.

“I think you can,” I tell Ben instead. “You just need confidence, not cockiness, and to pay attention.”

“Care to demonstrate?” Colt cocks an eyebrow.

“I don’t play games with⁠—”

“Not a game. Just set your sights on someone to show him how it’s done.”

“Would that help?” I ask Ben.

“It couldn’t hurt.” He shrugs.

I sigh and look around. I know how cocky this sounds, but it’s been a while since I’ve done anything other than sit at the table and wait for a good time to find me. Which I have no qualms about teasing Colt with, but I don’t want to make Ben feel bad.

“Damn, what about her?” Colt is ogling a girl with ash blond hair as she takes it out of an elastic and shakes it out, letting the loose waves cascade down her shoulders. She’s wearing a plain white sleeveless turtleneck that almost looks painted on, and a pair of jean shorts that show off her tan legs.

I’m sold, even before she turns towards the door, and I catch sight of her big brown eyes and plump red lips.

“I’ll get her number,” I tell them.

I have every intention of going back to her place tonight — she doesn’t look like the bathroom or back-alley type — but sex isn’t for bets, and I want the rookies to know we don’t condone that shit.