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“No, he thinks someone purposefully bashed his skull in ten years ago. He didn’t tell you?”
“Oh, Jesus,” Molly breathed. The truck slowed considerably. “No, he didn’t tell me. You know what a stickler he is about confidentiality. But…why would he think your dad was killed?”
“There’s some evidence, but nothing concrete. I honestly don’t want to talk about it tonight, but I wanted to tell you. Just in case I have three martinis and start blubbering.”
“Oh, but, Lori, you’re—”
“No, seriously. No talking about it. I need a night out in the worst way. So let’s have fun. Show me a good time.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure.”
Molly watched her for a long moment, then turned determined eyes back to the road. “All right then. I have my mission.”
* * *
THE MAÎTRE D’SMILEDover his shoulder for the second time since he’d started leading them toward a table. Lori felt Molly’s elbow dig into her side and nudged her back, but she couldn’t help a little thrill of excitement. The man was flirting withher.Lori Love. And she was flirting back.
She smoothed a hand nervously over the flared skirt of the midnight-blue sundress. Without Molly’s encouragement, she’d never have even tried on the strapless silk dress, much less paired it with a pair of deep red shoes. But now she felt daring and feminine and sexy. And giddy as hell.
“Ladies,” the host said with a charming purr, sweeping his hand toward a table that overlooked the street outside.
“Thank you,” Lori said, trying not to giggle like a teenager when he winked at her.
“Paul will be your server tonight, but I’m Marcus. Please let me know if there’s anything elseIcan do for you.”
“We will, thanks.”
By the time she’d settled into the chair he held out, arranging her skirts carefully so they wouldn’t get wrinkled, Lori could feel that Molly was about to burst. She looked up to find her grinning over her clasped hands.
“You look so pretty. And you’re glowing, Lori!”
“Maybe I put on too much blush.”
“Maybe you’re in heat!” Her eyes dropped lower. “My God I’m a genius. That dress is perfect for your body.”
“Thank you for helping me. I even look like I have boobs.”
“How crazy is that?”
Lori kicked her with one brand-new shoe.
“All right, I’ll be serious. You look gorgeous, so keep an eye out. There isn’t a man here who’d be able to resist you.”
“That’sbeing serious? I’m ridiculously short, I’ve got a face like a grumpy pixie, and there’s black grease under my nails.”
“You look like ahotpixie tonight, darling. And everybody knows that pixies are little whores.”
“Hey, I think I read that book!” They were both snorting quite unsexily when the waiter came to take their drink order.
When he hurried away, Molly went suddenly wide-eyed. “Oh, my God. Look!”
Lori swung around, and immediately spotted the person who’d caused Molly’s shock. He was handsome, tall, and he had exquisite hands, though she couldn’t see them from this far away. Quinn was standing next to a table on the other side of the restaurant, a napkin clutched in his fist, and his eyes locked on…Lori.
Her heart flipped as she spun back to stare down at her silverware. When she’d first looked at herself in the mirror at the store, she’d had a brief, mad wish that she’d run into Quinn tonight. And here he was. Maybe shewasa pixie.
When she noticed Molly smiling up as if her brother were getting closer, her heart fluttered.
