Marlie swung a jean-clad leg from the barstool. “How long ago did you guys break up?”
He turned to her, his eyebrows rising. “Six months ago.”
Her leg kept swinging. “Because of your job?”
Smart little thing, wasn’t she? He nodded. “Yeah.”
She pursed her lips. “Nobody ever dumped me because of my job,” she mused, her eyes a little cloudy from the beer. “Although, one guy did because I kept beating him at chess.”
Rory snorted. “True story?”
She nodded sadly.
Bosco smiled, feeling the amusement and grateful for it. “No kidding? Did you think of letting him win?”
“Yeah,” she murmured. “But then I’d be dating a guy I’d have to let win at silly games. And, really, what fun is that?”
“Totally agree,” Bosco murmured, taking a deep drink of his beer. The woman was becoming more and more likable, and the blond guy at the bar was getting more and more ballsy. The guy lifted his drink in her direction in cheers.
To her credit, she pretended she didn’t see him. “Oh, and another man dumped me because I didn’t want to engage in puppy play.” She shivered. “I make no judgments about kink and what people want but wearing a tail just couldn’t be my thing.”
Humor attacked Bosco so hard he coughed out beer, laughing along with Rory.
Rory caught his breath first, wiping off his chin. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
She shook her head and wobbled a little on the stool. “Nope. True story. When he said he wanted to show me his special leash, I was out of there. It was only our second date, for goodness sakes.”
Bosco was laughing so hard he thought he might lose a kidney.
He looked around and caught sight of Jennie, who was staring at Marlie.
Rory reached for another chicken wing. “You’re funny, Marlie. I’m glad Bosco found you.”
She sipped more beer, her hair sliding over her narrow shoulders. “Actually, Fabio found me. Bosco has made it more than clear that we’re just friends.” She held out her glass, her hand wobbling a little. “Friends are awesome. To friends.” Bosco and Rory both clinked with her, and Rory gave him a look that clearly called him a moron.
Bosco looked right back. It wasn’t as if Mr. CIA was looking for a woman right now, either. Yet, in the darkened tavern, with Christmas lights twinkling all around and showing the green in Marlie’s intelligent eyes, he stepped a bit closer to her. Just a little bit.
Of course, the blond chose that moment to make his move. He pushed his way through the crowd toward her. “Hi.”
She blinked and gingerly set her glass on the table. “No.”
The guy paused. “Huh?”
‘“No.” She smiled, still kicking her feet. “I’m surrounded by as much testosterone as I need right now, as you can see. Thank you for saying hi and for winking at me from across the bar because that was fun. You’re cool, and that’s nice. So, hi and have a good night.”
The guy cocked his head, seeming to think about her statement before looking at Rory and finally at Bosco. Then, miracles of all miracles, he grew a brain. “Cool. All right. Have a good night.” He sidled around Bosco and returned to the bar.
Marlie smiled widely. “Isn’t it nice when no punches have to be thrown?”
“It really is,” Bosco said, eyeing her from over the top of his glass. Putting her in the friend zone was the right thing to do.
Probably.
Bosco rolled his neck,his left leg aching as he stomped through the snow and up the stairs of the house. He kicked snow off his boots, noting that the owner of the rental house and apartments had set up a couple of glowing Santas in the front yard. He moved inside and hitched to his door, just as Marlie’s opened.
“Hey,” she said, her smile pretty.
“Hey.” He leaned against his door, wishing she wasn’t so appealing. But she was, and that was a stupid thing to wish for, anyway. “What’s up?”
