Page 11 of Crazy Little Thing Called Love

Del disappeared back behind the bar. She watched as he pulled down the vodka to make her drink. His hands worked, flipping the shaker, catching it, digging into the ice, pouring the liquor with the finesse only years of working could achieve. Beautiful to watch, like a dance. The play of skill in his hands entrapped her, the flex of muscle as he shook the shaker with vigor.

A tingle warmed low in her belly, a flush rising over her body. Watching Del was almost like—

“I’m back.”

What? Oh right, her date. She mentally berated herself. Yes, Del was good looking and watching him make a drink was almost an art form, but she was on a date. One she hoped Del would interrupt and ruin soon. That didn’t give her the right to ogle him like some sex-starved maniac. He was her best friend’s little brother. There was so much wrong with that, she didn’t even know where to begin.

“Man, they must crank the AC in that bathroom. It was colder than Hoth.”

She forced a smile as Lando chuckled at his own joke. Wanting to give it one more try, she asked, “So, Lando. What else do you enjoy? Besides Star Wars.”

He blinked, as if no one had ever asked him that question. “Oh, well, I’m not a Star Trek guy, but have you seen Battlestar Galactica?”

Holding in her groan, she shook her head. “Actually, I’m not into sci-fi. I’m more of a horror kind of girl.”

“Oh,” he shuddered. “I don’t like that death and serial killer stuff.”

Lots of people died in Star Wars. “I guess we aren’t that compatible then.”

“No, no, no.” He shook his head, practically lunging across the table. “I think we totally click.”

Really? Was he on the same date as her?

“Yeah,” he continued, reaching out to grasp her hand in his sweaty palm. “I think if you just give it a chance, you’d like sci-fi.”

Seriously?

“You just need someone to explain the plot and stuff to you. Sometimes it’s hard for girls to understand all the technicalities of space and stuff.”

Whoa! He did not just suggest she watch shows while he mansplained to her, did he? She understood plenty. Hell, she was salutatorian of her graduating class. Space-themed entertainment didn’t confuse her; she just preferred frights and blood.

“Lando, I don’t think this is going to work.”

His grip on her hand tightened. “No, it can. You just have to give it a chance.”

How? They barely had anything in common. She knew she needed a husband, but she wasn’t this desperate.

“I don’t think—”

“Here’s that drink you ordered.”

She glanced up as Del placed a fresh martini in front of her. “Oh, thank you very much.” Motioning to Lando with a slight tilt of her head, she pleaded with her eyes for Del to get her out of this.

A sly smile curled his lips. He winked once before bending down to whisper in a not-quiet-at-all voice. “Also, I talked to Dr. Brooks and he said you can come in tomorrow and he’ll prescribe you some antibiotics for that, um, rash situation.” His gaze trailed down pointedly to her crotch.

“Rash?” Lando pulled his hand out of hers so fast her head spun.

Face burning, she narrowed her eyes, staring at Del.

“Oh, the doctor said that, did he?” she asked between clenched teeth.

“Yup. Oh, and he said the sores should heal up in a week or so but don’t engage in any bedroom activity until the oozing stops.”

Her friendship with Charlie was over, because she was going to kill her best friend’s little brother.

“Um, I, ah just remembered a thing I have to do.” Lando jumped up from the table, tripping over his chair in his haste to get away. “Thanks for the night… I’ll call you.”

The man practically ran for the door. Once he left, she turned to Del who doubled over, hand over his mouth to hold in his laughter.

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