“Take the first guy who agrees or you’ll go alone,” she adds.
A soft shudder runs down my spine. Alone is not an option. My mother would fetch Grant over—a fate worse than the humiliation of arriving with someone dull.
“Fine. I’ll ask guy number three.”
“And if he says no?” Felicity narrows her eyes.
“I’ll ask the next one that fits the description and the next one, and the next until someone says yes.”
“Attagirl,” she cheers, searching for the straw with open mouth. “I think David’s your best bet. Maybe Greg, not Josh...”
I rack my brain, trying to recall the men Felicity’s listing, but since Colt sat at my table, they’ve all become a blur.
I’ve never met anyone like him. Handsome, soft around the edges, commanding down to the bone. Observant but not cocky. Dark eyes and curly hair kissing his forehead in an artistic, effortless mess. Square jaw, tall... Hotter than hell.
That’s enough to mess with my libido, but there’s more. That husky voice would have any woman swoon and he’s interesting. Really interesting.
Ruby waves her hand in my face. “Earth to Addie. You zoned out. What’s going on?”
“Just wondering who’s my best bet,” I lie.
Colt isn’t. He’s here because of a bet, I’m absolutely sure. Why else would a man like him come to Express Dates? He could snap his fingers and have a dozen women fall at his feet. No need for an evening like this to get laid, and he hardly comes across as someone looking for more than sex.
“Alright, show time.” Felicity smiles when the end-of-break gong sounds. “Good luck!”
A moment later the room fills back up and round two begins. The first two men at my table have light-hair, so I don’t pop the question. Guy number three—Travis—lacks in the height department, but next to my five-two, he’ll look decently taller.
His lip stud might make my mother scrunch up her button nose and askHow do you kiss him with that thing in his mouth?butother than that, he’s plausible, and a lawyer, so that might keep Mom’s digs at bay.
“You’re staring, Addie,” Travis smirks, rolling up the sleeves of his black shirt. “Do I have something on my face?”
Other than the self-indulgent smirk?
I sit up, both arms on the table as I lean closer so people around can’t hear our conversation. “I’ll be honest with you,” I say, my shoulder and neck muscles tensing. “I’m not here looking to fall in love or—”
“Believe me, neither am I.”
“Oh...” That’s not what I expected. “Why are you here then?”
He shrugs, the corner of his lips twitching. “Call it prelude. Ten minutes to gauge intentions. I’m not looking to get saddled, but a man’s gotta eat if you catch my drift.” He mimics me, leaning over the table, our faces inches apart. “I’m glad we’re on the same page, angel. I’ve booked a hotel room for tonight, and you sure were my first choice as soon I walked in.”
As if pulled by invisible strings, I drag myself away, both arms snapping across my chest. “That’s not why I’m here, either.”
He retreats, too, confusion flooding his face. “So why did you come?”
“Never mind. You don’t fit the profile.”
I’m offering money in exchange for time.Notmy body. I’d rather spend the week dodging Grant’s casual marriage proposals at every turn.
Travis opens his mouth but the fifteen-second warning sounds, and no words come out.
The next guy on the list, number five, turns bright red as soon as I explain my agenda, then quietly mumblesI’m marriedand flees the scene to stand by the bar until he hears the gong. What the hell is he doing hereif he’s married?!
Ugh, some men are such swines.
Brushing that fiasco under the table, I wait for number eight, but when it gets to his turn I don’t ask him to be my temporary boyfriend because he’s so soused he wouldn’t remember the deal in the morning.
Number ten thinks I’m joking, and when he realizes I’m not, he decides I’m crazy and spends the remaining two minutes engrossed in his phone.
