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Once the introductions are out of the way, Jace sits at the bar with a wince, rubbing his thigh.
“You want a beer?”
“I always want a beer, but I’ll have a water.”
He’s full of surprises today.
“I’ll go grab you a bottle,” Dahlia offers, smiling at Jace.
That’s another thing surprising, his willingness to talk to Dahlia. He’ll be on the phone to me for five minutes and Dahlia for thirty. I know he isn’t trying to get into her pants, because he still has trouble keeping his eyes from Savannah, but there’s obviously something that keeps him coming back to talk to Dahlia.
“Here.” She passes him the water. “Are you staying to watch Deception, tonight?”
I silently groan. If he’s staying, it will also mean the dinner Dahlia has planned will be crashed.
“Sorry, I can’t tonight.”
“That’s too bad, but you need to come down again when they’re playing . . . I have some things to get done, but make sure you come by again,” Dahlia says and she sounds genuinely disappointed he can’t stay. I frown at her.
“I will.”
“Why can’t you?” I ask, wanting to know what he’s up to.
Shut up Ryder, and let me leave—dinner plans with Dahlia.
“I have a date, if you must know.”
“No shit.” I smirk. “With Savannah?”
Before he can answer, Reece is getting to his feet and waves behind him as he leaves.
I glance up to the ceiling, wishing that I could join Dahlia upstairs. That’s not going to happen while Jace is propping up the bar.
“Not Savannah,” he answers my question, but doesn’t look too happy about it.
“You obviously like the woman to go on a date with her, so what’s the problem?”
He starts peeling the label from the bottle, an old habit of his. “I’m lonely.” He lets out a long sigh. “You’re five years younger than me, and you’ve been married, soon to be divorced and no doubt married again as soon as you can. I’ve never so much as been engaged.”
“I’d rather forget the first part of my adult life, but you’re spot on about Dahlia. And why are you acting like this now when I’ve tried to push you to go after more women in the past?”
“I’m starting to realize I’m not such a lost cause . . . thanks to your woman.”
I frown.
“Oh, don’t go getting your shorts in a wad. The only interest I have in Dahlia is friendship, after all, she’s going to be my sister when your past is just that.”
“I hear you. So, back to why it isn’t Savannah you’re taking out.” I lean on the bar and watch as he thinks about his answer.
“She’s with someone else. It’s pointless to keep hoping she’s going to turn up at the field one day and announce she’s free. Yeah, I’d be all over that . . . and her, but I’m sick and tired and need to change the way my life is going. So I’m taking Robyn out.”
“Well, I hope your mood improves before you pick her up, otherwise, it’ll be a wasted effort.”
“My mood is just fine.”
I shake my head. “Your ‘mood’ is saying I don’t want to be doing this because I have a hard-on for someone else.”
He scowls. “It’s one meal. I have to eat. I mean, how hard is it gonna be to eat with company?”
