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CHAPTEREIGHT
Damon
After rereading Kate’s last message for the twelfth time, I stuff my phone back into my pocket. Did I really just invite a stranger to a company event? And not just any stranger—afemale.
Pushing through the rear doors of Double Palm’s lobby, I make my way toward the pool. Even though it’s later in the afternoon, the island sun blazes down on the turquoise water.
I lower my shades and scan the area. At least fifty beach chairs are laid around the perimeter, but I know where to find the woman I’m searching for.
A mop of brilliant red hair is gathered on top of Brandi’s head. The shadow casting off the bar directly behind her beach chair covers her face, leaving the rest of her oiled body to soak up the Topican rays.
In her small palm, she cradles an obnoxiously large mimosa.
Crossing my arms, I stare down at her, towering over where she’s sprawled out.
“Do you mind?” Brandi drawls, barely opening an eye. “You’re blocking my vitamin D.”
“A OneDate profile, Bran. Really?”
That gets her attention.
After taking a drag from a curly green straw, she places her glass down on the arm of the chair and sits forward.
With a flick of her wrist, she pops her sunglasses up on her head. “Oh, don’t be such a grump. I was doing you a solid. Now, you can easily find a lady friend to hang out with while we’re here.”
“Am I honestly to believe this had nothing to do with Miss Harris?”
Her eyes widen.
Bingo.
“Dammit, Brandi.”
“Did she message you?” she asks a bit too enthusiastically for my liking.
“Quit smiling like that.”
“Like what?”
I lift my gaze up toward the sky. “Like you’ve accomplished some secret mission. I don’t need you meddling, and I especially don’t need you making me dating profiles on my own damn app.”
She swings her legs off the side of the chair, sits up straight, and points a finger at me.
Shit.I fumble back a step. I’ve seen what she’s capable of while in momma-bear mode.
“You and Kate were having a blast.”
The scent of vanilla is still fresh on my mind. As are her smiles.
“Fine. I enjoyed myself a little. But the fact remains that I don’t need you playing matchmaker. I’m perfectly capable of handling my… dating life.”
Brandi snorts. “Oh, give me a break, Damon. I haven’t seen you smile like that, let alone blink, at the opposite sex sincebeforeSusan.”
“That’s beside the point.”
“You were illuminated!” she cries, drawing a couple of nearby gazes.
“Illuminated?”
