Page 9 of Crazy Little Thing Called Love

“Yeah, well don’t get used to it. The bet is over in a week.” She took a sip of her drink and sighed.

“Good?”

Narrowing her gaze at his haughty grin she pointed a finger at him. “Don’t play humble. You know it is. The phrase is ridiculous, but it’s true. You do make the best drinks around.”

“Sometimes a guy just likes hearing he’s the best a woman’s had.”

He gave her that infuriating wink she found both annoying and sexy. Ugh, why did the Jackson DNA have to hold such attractive genes? Del annoyed her to the ends of the earth, but she couldn’t deny the guy was one fine piece of man candy. Even as a kid he’d been too cute for his own good. Only two years behind her and Charlie, she remembered how Del had all the teachers eating out of the palm of his hand.

Late on an assignment? Del just gave his best puppy dog eyes and got an extension. Failed a test? A small sob story, a little sucking up, and he’d get a re-test. The guy had always skated through life with a wink and a grin.

She opened her mouth to blast him, but the door to the distillery opened. Lando—yes that was his actual name—stepped through the open door. The guy looked shorter than he claimed in his profile, but at least his face matched his picture. When he glanced about the room, Cassie raised her arm to wave. He smiled, waving back, and headed her way.

As he approached the table, Del crossed his arms over his chest, brow rising. “Seriously? Number four? What the hell is going on Cassie?”

Pasting a smile on her face, she spoke through clenched teeth. “None of your business. And don’t scare this guy off like you did last night.”

“You mean Bryce the Tool?”

Oh crap, he had been a tool. “Yes. Just get us drinks and leave us alone.”

“Whatever you want. Far be it from me to try and protect you from a jackass.”

At the unexpected bite in his tone, she glanced at him. Okay, yeah, Bryce had been a jerk, and she’d admit—to herself and never out loud—it had been nice to have Del stand up for her, but she didn’t need a hero. She needed a husband. And she’d never get one if she couldn’t get through a first date.

“Del, I…” Unable to explain her insane predicament, she faltered. “Just be nice.”

“I will if he will.”

Dear God, she was dealing with a child.

Lando arrived at the table grinning from ear to ear. “Wow. You’re hot.”

“Um, thanks.”

“I should have said beautiful, right?” He smacked a hand against his forehead. “Sorry, you’re beautiful, too. I’m just not used to people actually looking like their profile pic.”

Del glanced at her, raising one dark eyebrow. “Profile pic?”

She ignored Del and smiled at Lando. “You look exactly like your picture.”

“Yeah.” He shrugged with a sheepish grin. “I may have fudged on the height an inch or two.”

Or five, but that didn’t matter. Being on the short side herself, she never cared if a man matched her height or rose above. Who wanted a crick in the neck anyway?

“Why don’t you sit down and have a drink?”

Lando took a seat across from her, a goofy grin on his face. The guy seemed sweet, if a little socially awkward.

“What can I get for you, sir?”

Lando glanced up at Del, who towered over the guy, sitting or standing. “I’ll have a club soda with lime.”

Martini halfway to her lips, Cassie paused. “Don’t you want something stronger?”

“Oh no. I don’t drink.”

Confused, she placed her glass back on the table. “Then why did you agree to meet at a bar?”

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