Page 47 of Forever and Other Lies

Tired of waiting for him to make a move, she took charge and asked him out first. She squeezed her eyes shut as the memory resurfaced. “I’m sorry, Jayna, while I’m flattered, I’m not into casual dating,” he had said gently. Clearly, the rumors about her had reached his ears. She’d heard them all—the names the townsfolk called her. Jayna the man-eater, Jayna the manizer, and the latest one—Jayna Date and Dash.

“I am attracted to you, it’s just that…” She didn’t let him finish the sentence.

With a bright smile that hid the hurt, she blinked away the sudden tears that had formed in her eyes and brushed him off. “No worries, have a great day.”

As Jayna pulled open the door to Patty’s Pub the scent of spicy wings and stale beer greeted her. The crunch of peanut shells under her suede booties immediately caught her attention. She never understood why people thought it acceptable to toss shells on the floor. Someone had to clean it up! Her gaze swept across the room, landing in the far corner where Lance sat with a couple of other paramedics. She froze. Too late—his eyes locked onto hers.

Swallowing hard, she felt her cheeks heat up. What the hell? She was Jayna Sutton. Jayna Sutton didn’t blush or back down. She never cowered or ran away.

Lance was staring across the bar at her with pity. Pity? No one pitied her. She sucked in a deep breath and looked away. Derek Brennan sat at the bar, and she quickly walked toward him, pulling out a stool.

“What’s got you scowling into your drink?”

Derek swirled the amber whiskey in the lowball glass before lifting it and chugging it back. He grimaced before turning to look at her. “I’m not scowling.”

“Yeah, okay! Can you get him another glass of get over himself? Add in a straw so he can suck it up!” Jayna placed an order with the bartender. “And I’ll have a margarita, please.”

“Make it extra salty, just like she is,” Derek chuckled low.

“Oh, good one!” Jayna scoffed.

Derek’s phone dinged, and he glanced down at it, scowl deepening.

“Your latest girlfriend is unhappy with you?”

“No, her father.”

“That’s classic,” she giggled. “What did you do to get her father pissed off?”

“I didn’t ask her last name before I asked her out,” he said through clenched teeth. “She turned out to be the daughter of the developer I am working for. A very well-connected developer.”

“What the hell were you thinking? Not even you could be that stupid!”

He lifted his palms upward. “I didn’t know who she was.”

“What are you planning to do about it?”

“No clue.” He shrugged and pointed to Lance’s table. “So, what’s happening with Lance Romance? Is he still dating that other nurse?”

“No, they broke up a while ago.”

He sat up straight, staring directly at her. “Why are you here, making my life a living hell, when you could be at his table ruining his life?”

“Shut up, Derek!” She made a face at him then smiled at the bartender when he set down her drink.

“Oh, did I touch a nerve?”

With a twist of the lime, she removed the salt from the rim of the sombrero shaped glass and let it drop into her drink. Taking a sip, she narrowed her eyes at Derek. “If you must know, he isn’t into casual dating and thinks that’s all I’m interested in.”

“And he’d be right. You’re not interested in a relationship.”

“Who said that?” Jayna’s forehead furrowed.

“You did.” He pointed that annoying sanctimonious index finger at her.

“Well, maybe I’ve changed my mind!”

“Or maybe he’s just a challenge. A man who is finally immune to your charms.”

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