Naughty or Spice
SLOANE
True to form, my genuine glee at spotting Maddox near the bar had morphed into uncertainty with a heavy dose of dread and topped off with more than a pinch of desire. It was hard to keep my eyes off him because he looked damn good in black jeans, boots, and a fitted sweater.So.Damn.Good.
Next to him, the pilot looked like someone’s sorta attractive uncle.Poor tink. “Thanks for meeting me here at the bowling alley, Carl.”
“I hope I’m not too early. Can I order you a drink?” he asked.
I noticed the slow smile that spread over Maddox’s face and wondered what he was thinking. Forcing my attention back to Carl, I shrugged. “I’m not drinking today. But you can buy me a Dr. Pepper.”
“I can do that.” Carl waved the bartender over and placed our order—a Dr. Pepper for me and a beer for him. “Courtney has told me a lot about you.”
I didn’t know that. “Really? What did she say?”
“She told me you were beautiful, accomplished, funny.”
I grinned. “I am all of those things.” When he chuckled, I laughed too. “If I’m honest, though, she didn’t tell me anything about you.”
Carl gave me the quick version of his life—where he lived, where he worked, what he liked to do when he wasn’t in the air. “I’m divorced, one child.”
Sipping my soda, I nodded. “How old is your baby?”
“He’s fifteen. My ex-wife and I married young and divorced early.”
I hummed. “I can speak to that too.”
“See, we already have a couple of things in common. What about you?”
“I live in Ypsi, work for myself and I like to eat.” I cracked up at myself. “Just kidding. Of course, I love to eat. But I also like to run and swim.”
“Ah, did you swim competitively?”
“I did. Only black girl on the swim team. I won the state championship for my high school too.”
He gave me a slow clap. Normally, something like that would’ve come off corny, but I liked it. “That’s even better.”
We chatted for the next ten minutes about a little bit of everything—from books to food to snow. Surprisingly, I felt comfortable with Carl. Not as comfortable as I felt with Maddox, but still… “I should probably get back to the game,” I said. “I’m bowling with my family.” Carl stood and reached out to help me to my feet. “Thanks.”
“Can I see you again?” he asked.
I glanced over at Maddox, then back at Carl. Then, back at Maddox. The pilot was definitely a winner. His low voice would’ve made me drop my panties—about six days ago. I knew we’d have a good time together, but… “No.”
He blinked.
So did I because I’d just shocked the hell out of myself. “Um, I didn’t mean it like that.”
He flashed a soft, dejected smile. “In the short time I’ve been here, I get the feeling you don’t say things you don’t mean, Sloane Wilson.”
My shoulders fell. “I’m sorry, Carl.”
“It’s okay.” He squeezed my hand. “It was good to meet you.”
I nodded. “Merry Christmas.”
After Carl left, I eyed Maddox again. Tilting my head, I observed him, studied his profile. The Pistons were down twenty points and he seemed focused on the game. During my date, I’d overheard him talking to the bartender about the team’s losing season. Even then, I’d wanted to join in the conversation just to hear him talk, to hear his thoughts about basketball—or anything.
Sighing, I walked over to him and hopped onto the barstool next to him. “I’ve been thinking.”
