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“I’ll help,” Lenny added.
“Thanks.”
After several songs, she took a break.
“I don’t have your stamina.”
Her eyes went to Ted before she could stop them, and he was looking right back at her. She couldn’t read his expression, but had a feeling he wasn’t happy about something.
Heading for the bar, she ordered a soda.
“Look, Mandy. What I said earlier may have come out wrong—”
When she turned, Ted was standing behind her. His chinos were caramel colored and his shirt white. He was sexy, she couldn’t deny that, or the way her tummy flipped just looking at him.
“I really don’t want to discuss that again, Ted. I understand, okay. I’m innocent, and you’re not. You don’t date woman like me.”
“That’s not what I said.” His brows met in the middle in a fierce scowl. “I just don’t want you to go throwing yourself at men. You’re inexperienced, and they’ll get the wrong idea. I know men, how they think—”
“I beg your pardon?” She cut him off as it dawned on her what he was saying.
“I just meant—”
“Those are my friends. How dare you suggest I was doing anything other than having fun!”
“What? No.” He looked surprised, but Mandy was done caring what this man thought tonight. It was exhausting.
“Thanks for your flattering opinion of me, Ted. I’m innocent, and therefore desperate enough to throw myself at the first available man.”
“You’re deliberately misunderstanding what I’m saying, Mandy.”
“I don’t think so. But thanks for the advice, it’s always good to get some from a seasoned professional. And FYI, I may find you attractive, but I’m sure that’ll pass. So your job is done now.”
“Mandy—” He reached for her, but she slapped his hand aside.
“Thank you for helping me, you’ve changed my life. But I can see now that it’s best we don’t spend time together anymore.”
She walked away before he could say another word and told herself that the pain in her chest was from gulping her soda too fast.
“Are you ready to go, Mandy?” Aunt Marla said when she returned to the table.
“Are you in pain?”
“A bit,” her aunt conceded.
“You should have said something.”
“You were having fun, and I haven’t seen that before, so I didn’t want to intrude. If I hadn’t been so sore I’d have joined you.”
“Where’s Aunt Sarah?”
“Gossiping with the bridge players over there.”
Mandy located her other aunt and told her they were leaving.
They said their goodbyes and headed out to the car. Mandy ignored Ted, who was back at the table with his friends. It wasn’t until she was home and in bed that she let herself think about him again and what they’d shared.
She was angry with him for wanting her and then pushing her away. He was experienced, she wasn’t, and clearly he felt she was someone who needed protecting, if only from herself.
