AllFreeNovel
Share Us
There had been no attempts to sink her online store, nor were there any malicious stories floating around on the web. He had even stopped cruising the store several times a day. It was like he’d sustained a head injury and forgotten the wicked plans he’d whipped up.
“What in the world is he doing here?”
Looking in the direction of Gigi’s accusing finger, she let out a laugh. “Perhaps Tavis has recently discovered a latent interest in trivia and has decided to join the fun.”
“Ugggh, that’s all this evening needs.”
Lucy sat at their usual table and laughed. “Yes, having attractive men in the vicinity is horrible, and I don’t know how we’ll manage.”
Gigi dropped into a chair without comment. “He’s been particularly solicitous lately, and I don’t know what to make of it.”
Lucy let the frustration of the week bleed into her response. “Stop it, Gigi.” She exhaled an impatient huff. “The man likes you. It’s plain to everyone, and there isn’t one good reason why you shouldn’t give him a chance.”
Gigi pinched her lips together. “I don’t want to.”
“You sound exactly like you did when we were ten, and I suggested we try the monkey bars.”
“And look how that turned out.”
“At least we got matching casts and didn’t have to do chores for two months.” One of the servers dropped off a large pitcher of margaritas, and she gave him a grateful smile. “I just want you to have something other than your business to focus on. A little tryst or liaison that would allow your fun tank to be filled on a somewhat regular basis.”
“That’s just it,” Gigi said as she filled two glasses. “Tavis isn’t affair material and is the sort of man that requires some serious-minded consideration.”
Lucy studied the man in question. “I’m not one to subscribe to stereotypes, but he was a professional athlete for close to ten years. I doubt he ignored the many opportunities that were thrown his way. For all you know, he may just want a fun fling.”
“According to the church gossip that my mother was kind enough to pass on, he’s given up his wild ways and is in the market for a Mrs.”
“Oh.”
“Exactly,” Gigi said with satisfaction.
They sat in companionable silence while they sipped their drinks, and Lucy wondered what Linc was in the market for. He’d certainly spouted enough sentiments to give her the impression that he was interested in something long-term.
She crunched a piece of ice and realized she hadn’t taken a moment to consider what she was interested in pursuing. Did she want to give Linc a real place in her life? Based on how well they were clicking, she’d be a fool not to give it some real thought.
Before she could get too lost in her musings, Julie and Bea joined them. “Hello, ladies.”
“I’m ready to kick some ass and kill the hopes and dreams of the other teams,” Julie said flatly as she filled a glass to the brim.
Lucy laughed. “I can never square the art you create with the world view you so generously share with us.”
Julie glanced around the bar. “What can I say? I’m a cynic with a soft magical center that I like to keep buried under layers of snark and derision.”
Gigi raised her glass. “I like it.”
“Me, too,” Manny said as he sat beside Julie.
“Eavesdropping, now?” Lucy asked as she watched the man, the size of a refrigerator, make googly eyes at their resident artist.
“I have exceptional hearing,” Manny stated quietly. “Always have.”
Julie bit back a smile. “I told you that I was busy tonight. What are you doing here?”
Manny slapped a book on the table and smiled. “I grabbed this book from Lucy’s store.” He cleared his throat. “When you said you were joining the trivia team, I thought you might like it.”
“Oh… well… that’s nice of you.”
“It’s just my way of speaking your love language.” He swiped at a small puddle of water on the table. “I’ve learned a few things in that group Hoyt has forced us into, and I’m not as emotionally illiterate as I was last week.”
