Page 32 of Playing My Rivals

She claps her hands. “Yay! You’re a stud. She was trying to get out of it before, but now we get to have some fun. Oh, I can’t wait! It’s been almost a month since she’s come out with me on a Friday.”

“In that case, you’re welcome.” He moves a couple of things on his desk.

She jumps up. “It’s time to go.”

“Right now?” I lift a stack of papers. “I still have a couple of things to do.”

“Yes, now. You can always work this weekend. Now grab your purse and let's go.” She comes at me faster than expected.

She takes my work and tosses it on my desk. Then she turns me by the shoulders and pushes me toward my bag.

I resist her. “Melanie, you don’t have to put your hands on me. I said I’d go.”

“Yeah, but you were looking for an excuse to change your mind. If I don’t get you out of this office now, I’ll get stood up. So giddy up and let’s go.” She stands in front of my desk and blocks it.

Jamison laughs. “I’d say she’s determined, Dori.”

“You have no idea.” Melanie glances his way. “Get your stuff. We’re leaving now.”

He salutes her. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Do you see what I have to deal with having her as my best friend?” I pull my purse over my shoulder and stride to the door. “A friend willing to manhandle me just to get her way.”

She waves me off. “Whatever. Let’s go.”

We go to the restaurant and get one of the last tables. Melanie’s beside herself because she got us out of work so fast. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have scored this spot.

“This night is working out perfectly and I only have you to thank, Jami.” She pats his arms with a smile from ear to ear.

I slap my hand over my heart and pretend to be hurt. “Hey, I was a part of the decision, too. Don’t I get any credit?”

“No. I saw you trying to find a way out. Anyway, enough about that. You guys have to help me pick a guy to hook up with tonight, so keep your eyes peeled.” She peeks over each shoulder to check out her surroundings.

Jami laughs. “This is what you have to deal with?”

I raise my eyebrows and nod. “See what I mean? I’m warning you now. She won’t stop, so start watching out for her or you’ll be very sorry.”

“Oh, there’s one. Three o’clock, dark hair. I’d say about six feet. I don’t know, though. Jamison, thoughts?” She taps his arm.

He checks out who she’s talking about. “Yeah, six feet is about right. He’s a little shorter than me, so I think you’re right.”

I glance over my shoulder, then at Mel. “What happened to Zengi?”

“He’s around and knows the score.” She flashes a smile to the stranger. “We’re allowed to see other people and there’s one right over there I wouldn’t mind getting to know.”

I sigh and roll my eyes. “She never stops.”

Jamison laughs again. “What happens if we don’t help her out?”

Mel’s head snaps to him. “Why would you suggest that? That is not even an option. Friends have each other’s backs. Don’t you know that?”

He draws his chin down as his eyebrows shoot up. “Of course I do. It was a hypothetical question.”

“Well, don’t scare me like that again. We’re in this together now, so settle in. We don’t go home until I have someone to join me.” She glances around, searching for our server.

Jamison analyzes the guy she’s checking out, his natural protectiveness showing. “Are you sure that’s a good idea? What if he is a bad person?”

“That’s what you’re here for. Once I decide if I’m interested in him, I’ll bring you in to meet him. We can say you’re my bodyguard or something super cool like that.” Her head whips around. “Where is our server? We could die of thirst by the time we get any drinks.”

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