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“Suit yourself.Have fun, kids.”
A guy with blue hair in a too-tight tee approached the bar, and she moved to serve him.
Jenny tugged me.“Let’s go!Time’s a wastin’!Let’s go see my brother so he can tell me to behave, and I’ll pretend like I’ll listen, and then we can get down to business.”
Hotel Californiawas playing over the speakers under the chatter and laughter of the patrons as she led me to the pool table, where Rick was playing pool with a younger man, dark hair, full beard.
Rick looked up as we approached and met my gaze.A slow smile curved his lips, and I thought:God, I am toast.I need to go.
But I didn’t make any move to leave.
“Evenin’, ladies,” Rick drawled, and I swore I could feel his voice in every part of my body.The Henley looked so good on him.The neck was open a few buttons, revealing a triangle of bare chest and a glimpse of his ever-present dog tags.“Didn’t know you were comin’ out.”
“Ma offered to have Toby!”Jenny enthused.“I didn’t knowyouwere coming out, either.”She beamed at him like she’d made a really good point.
Rick jerked his thumb at the younger man.“Eddie’s my apprentice, and he did a good job today, so the beer was on me.”
“Hey,” Eddie said shyly, lifting a hand in greeting.Despite the beard, he looked no more than fifteen.
“I just came to say that I’m here to have fun,” Jenny assured Rick.“So could younotglower at any man who so much as breathes within ten feet of me?”
Rick’s brows lowered, and the corners of his mouth turned down, the beginnings of a bit of a snarl.
“Yes, that!Don’t dothat.”
“No promises,” he muttered.
She turned to me.“See?This is what I have to put up with.”To Rick, she added, “I’ll behave ifyoudo.”
He rolled his eyes.They really were the most gorgeous colour, deep brown, ringed with the faintest touches of gold.“That’ll be the day.Go on then, enjoy your evenin’.Nice to see ya, Maddie.”
“You, too,” I replied once I forced my brain into gear.He was too handsome to be allowed, really.
Rick’s gaze held mine as he asked, “Do you play?”
“Pool?”I swallowed, nerves butterflying in my stomach at his proximity.
“No, chess, darlin’.”He grinned, that lazy tug of his lips that transformed his serious face into a boyishly handsome one.“Yeah, pool.Maybe we’ll have a game while you’re in town.”
“Maybe.Can’t promise to put up much of a challenge.I might need lessons.”
That smile snuck onto his lips again.“That so?I’ve been told I’m a very good teacher.”
I just bet he was.My mind raced with feverish, naughty thoughts, and I couldn’t reply.Thankfully, Jenny pulled me away and guided us back to the bar.
Is he really just offering pool lessons?It felt like flirting?Maybe it’s more?
Maybe I’m reading too much into this.
As we walked, I caught a glimpse of Rick, turning away to pick up his half-empty bottle of beer and tip his head back to drink, exposing the long line of his neck.
I felt seventeen again, trying to micro-analyse every little thing a cute boy did or not did not do, or did or did not imply.
Except Rick was all grown up, and oh my goodness, did I know it.
ChapterSeven
“Thanks so much for the cookies,” I told Jenny sincerely as we sat down with our drinks.
