Page 51 of Cold Foot Komodo

Inhaling deeply, Reed stood and grabbed his jacket off the back of the chair, then strode toward her.

“Fancy meeting you here,” she said in a chipper tone.

Reed looked around, and everyone in this joint was watching them. He gestured to the seat across from her. “Can I sit?”

“Sure, but there are ground rules.”

He sank down into the chair and set his jacket on the seat next to him, then draped his arm over the back of it. “What are your rules?”

“First, I’m taken, so I’m not looking for a man to take home.”

“You’re taken, huh?”

“Yep. I’m looking for friendship only tonight.”

He nodded. “Sounds good. What’s the next rule?”

“I don’t know you.”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I think you need someone you don’t know. I think you need someone who doesn’t scare you. A stranger, maybe.” She stuck her hand out for a shake. “I’m Sasha.”

He dipped his gaze to her hand, and then back up to her pretty brown eyes. Then he leaned forward and slid his hand against hers. Her hand was so petite in his. “I’m Reed. Any more rules?”

“Just one.”

“Name it.”

“Be honest.”

He shook her hand and nodded. “That sounds fine. Rules accepted.”

“What kind of music do you like?” she asked.

“Texas country.”

“Mmm. Interesting. Are you originally from Texas?”

“Florida originally, though I’ve done jobs in Texas. I thrive in the sunshine.”

“I am from Wyoming, so I’m completely used to this weather. I wouldn’t mind living somewhere warmer though, someday.”

“What about you? What kind of music do you like?”

“Oh, rap. Definitely rap. I love the beats, and I love dancing to it, but I can’t keep up with the lyrics. It takes me a really long time to memorize songs. Which is kind of weird since I can remember a dozen patient’s charts at a time, but my brain just doesn’t absorb fast lyrics.”

“Then why do you like it so much?”

“I like a challenge, I guess. I appreciate the things I’m not naturally good at.”

Already the tension was fading from him completely.

“There’s a jukebox over there. I can see if they have rap songs.”

She grinned and looked around the bar. There was a couple dancing slow in the corner, and her attention stayed on them for a few seconds. “Let’s let them have their songs. That’s a special moment. I hope they remember it for always.”

“You’re a romantic?”

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