Rachel laughed. “Women love being called a special offer.”
Connor’s back tensed. Cian, that asshole.
“I’m serious,” Cian continued. “You guys seem to be hitting it off, so you have nothing to lose.”
No. His best friend was ahugeasshole.
“Oh, I don’t know, that would be…” Rachel started but didn’t finish. Instead, she looked at Connor. For the first time that evening, she looked him straight in the eyes. Uncertainty was reflected in her expression. She was wearing a light blue dress that made her eyes look even greener. She wasn’t wearing much makeup, just mascara and… God, had she always been so damn beautiful? And why the hell was she looking at him like that? Was she waiting for permission from him? Or was she trying to confirm that, no way, she wouldn’t be going out with Alec?
He didn’t know. He also didn’t know what he wanted to hear or see from her right then. It was as if the room was heating up, as if the air between them was on fire. They held each other’s gaze. Seconds or hours passed… The pencil broke in his hand, and the loud crack apparently pulled Rachel out of her trance.
“Um, that’s…a possibility,” Rachel concluded, smiling at Alec.
A deep frown had formed between Alec’s eyebrows, and his gaze darted back and forth between them. “Huh,” he said.
Connor turned his head away. “Tara, another whiskey, please,” he called to the barkeeper, who was passing by. More alcohol seemed prudent.
“Sure.” She nodded at him across the filled tray. “Oh, by the way, the woman at the bar asked if I knew you and if you’d be interested in her phone number.” She nodded toward the bar, but Connor didn’t bother looking up.
“No, thanks.”
“Okey-dokey.” Smiling, she continued to weave her way through the tables.
“Why didn't you say yes?” Cian asked, immediately suspicious. “As far as I can tell, you’re still short two dates.”
“Two dates for what?” Alec asked, confused.
“Oh, I’ll tell you later,” Cian promised.
Great. Just great. “We’re…taking a break,” Connor replied tersely, getting his friend to finally change the subject. “With the dates.”
Rachel nodded. “Yeah, yeah. That was why I was hesitant,” she replied hastily.
“Ah, so that’s why you don’t want Rachel to go out with Alec?” Cian persisted. And if the guy wasn’t the father of the most amazing kid ever, Connor would have considered killing him.
“I don’t care who Rachel goes out with,” he said sharply. “Let Alec sign up with Match Me! and see what happens.”
“Oh, I will,” Alec chimed in immediately, pleased. “Is there a questionnaire? I love questionnaires.”
Stunned, Rachel looked at him. “Really? Okay, then…you can log on with your phone.”
And that was what the damn idiot did.
Chapter Sixteen
Sometimes it’s harder to figure out what you want than to get it.
Tips and tricks for every situation from divorce lawyer Connor Stone
Especially when you act dumb. - Rachel
Two rounds later, they had the results: They were in third place in the quiz, and…
“You have seventy-two percent with Alec! Man, that’s solid,” Cian said enthusiastically, snatching the phone from Rachel to reassure himself. “Then you must have a date!”
“He…he lives in Eden Bay,” Rachel replied, clearing her throat. Her gaze kept grazing Connor, but never landed directly on him.
“Oh, if it turns out to be love, I’d move here for you, no problem,” Alec replied lightly, winking at her.
