“Not my scene, amigos.” Javier’s long, graceful fingers picked up his cup, and he took a long drink, taking in the room with calm and collected eyes.
“I bet a hundred bucks Marten can’t get a date with the blonde.”
My soul groaned inwardly when Jake’s strong voice lifted above our group. Instantly, the table quieted, and eight interested pairs of eyes swung my way. My fingers itched to strangle Jake when I took in his knowing grin.
“You’re not good for a hundred bucks. I’m buying your dinner tonight.”
“I’m good for it. I thought you were being nice. What kind of guy doesn’t pay for his date?”
“Consider me no longer nice.”
Jake sighed. “And now the image is shattered.”
Why, again, did I like this kid?
“Boss always has a date. He has some sort of voodoo charm over women. I wouldn’t bet against him,” Ronnie stated.
My heart rate slowed, and my fists relaxed as the rest of the men murmured in agreement. I planned to go say hi to Tessa. I would tease her for a minute and then be done. I’d probably see her around because Eugene was a small town. That’s evenifshe was here to stay. But this… For some reason, I didn’t want to play this game. The last thing I wanted to do was get in the middle of one of Jake’s bets. Especially not with a girl so beloved by my family they’d kick me out when I messed up.
Not if…when.
She was not somebody I would date. Or attempt to date. Even if it was a joke. Though the protective big brother in me happened to be glad she was shutting everybody down. Proud, even. It was nice to see she was able to take care of herself.
“Well, she turned down Trevor’s pretty face. It might be our best chance to see the great Logan Marten take a fall. Or lose a bet.” Carl folded his meaty arms and leaned back in his chair, giving me a smug look.
Once he had an ally, Jake leaned forward in his seat, calculating. “Maybe you’re right. Except, she looks way out of his league. There’s no way he could get her to say yes.”
I knew what Jake was doing. Iknewit, and his arrogant face made me want to punch something. I also had an interest in seeing if he really was good for a hundred bucks. I had my doubts. I tried one last-ditch effort to get myself out of this.
“I think I’ve got something going with the waitress.”
The group turned toward Jen as she brought out an order to a table, laughing and teasing with every patron she came in contact with, her red hair curled and pulled back in a loose hair tie and flowing freely down her back.
“I’m pretty sure to get anywhere nearthat, you have to go throughthat.” Ronnie motioned first toward Jen and then behind us toward Chad.
I turned back toward Jake, who was beaming at me. “Looks like we’re back to thehot blonde,” he said.
“She’s closer to your age than mine,” I said, giving him a pointed stare.
“I’d just like to see thegreatLogan Marten throw his hat in the ring.”
When I didn’t move, Jake turned back toward Javier. “You sure you don’t want to give it a shot, Javier? You look like someone a girl couldn’t say no to.”
Javier eyed me as he contemplated Jake’s nudging and began to rise from his seat. A flash of heat bubbled up in my chest. Something protective. Something…something. I wasn’t marriage material. That idea had been demolished long ago. I had a job to do this summer, then I’d move back to Boise. End of interaction. It was true that I was always open for a date, and I usually didn’t have to look too hard. I didn’t have a type, beyond a Saturday night, and Tessa wasn’tthat. She was like a little sister. Not onlymylittle sister but also Nate’s little sister. Our new boss for the summer. And I knew for a fact he would not approve of tonight’s activities.
But it was all just a game. A joke. Tessa seemed happy to play along. The opportunity to throw her off her game was too good to pass up. And if I was being honest, I didn’t want Javier anywhere near her. He was basically me but with a charming accent. Lethal. I’d take Tessa out on a date, then be done with it.
It’s not like the formula was unfamiliar to me.
I pushed Javier back down in his seat and stood up, smacking the back of Jake’s laughing head as I did so.
I pointed at Jake. “One hundred bucks, moneybags.”
He smiled. “Only if you can get a date. And I happen to have my doubts.”
Catcalls and hollering filled the room—this time directed at me. I rolled my eyes and began walking toward the familiar blonde at the table in front of me. I may not have had Javier’s smooth accent, but with the exception of Jake, I had something none of these guys had: a history with Tessa. And Tessa’s history was riddled with a lovesick crush on somebody.
Me.
