Her wide grin exposed all her teeth. “Yeah. I didn’t know if he’d be working, but he was. I figured we kept running into each other, why not see if it worked again.”
“And you talked?”
“We did some. He was the only one behind the bar. I stayed a few hours before I drove home.”
No reason to give specifics on their conversation or the flirting that ensued.
“Now what?”
She shrugged. “Good question. He didn’t ask for my number and I didn’t volunteer it. It’s not like me to pick up a man in a bar.”
“Nor seek one out, but you did. Why?”
Her head went side to side. “My mother lectured me last week about always being in my box. Having things planned out and my goals in life. Then focusing on them and when they will be met rather than letting things happen.”
“And you thought to just let this happen by forcing another encounter?”
“I don’t even know what I was expecting, just that I couldn’t get him out of my head. I was hoping he’d be there so I could make sense of how he made me feel. But now? It’s worse. So much worse.”
“I bet! What do you want to happen? Maybe a date?”
“I think it’d be nice, but I don’t know that he’s the kind of person to take a woman out to dinner.”
“You don’t know any of that,” Elise said. “And if you want to get out of your box, then keep doing what you are. Though it sounds to me like fate is playing part in this. Or you know, you can put it in the hands of the Fierces.”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “It’s bad enough that crossed my mind last night. They witnessed Chance and I talking. I saw their eyes light up. I don’t want them to get any ideas.”
“Too bad,” Elise said. “I learned the hard way. You can’t escape what they call good intentions.”
She sighed. “I know.”
“And if you want something to work out. Something with a man. Then they are your best bet.”
“Nope,” she said. “I’m doing it on my own. Just like you did.”
“We like to think we did,” Elise said. “But I know deep down they gave it a push. And sometimes a push is all you need.”
9
RUNNING INTO EACH OTHER
Chance was at the table in the far corner setting everything up for the training tonight.
It wasn’t something he did often anymore. Not since he’d bought the pub, but the guy scheduled to do it had an emergency and he could get someone to cover his shift behind the bar.
He heard noise behind him and saw someone walking in for the course.
“Just find a place behind the manikins.”
There were ten people scheduled for training tonight. He’d had bigger groups in the past, but this should be fast. Maybe. Depended on how many questions were asked.
One by one, people walked into the room, some talking to him, others to the people next to them.
The last two came in together. Two women. One of them invaded his dreams more than he cared to admit.
Jocelyn’s eyes locked with his, her grin spreading slowly and he matched it without hesitation.
“What do you know,” he said. “Grab the last two spots.”
