Page 26 of Cupid Loves Curves

“Ever the optimist.” Daryl shakes his head and takes another swig of his beer. “Just give it a chance, man. You might be surprised.”

“Surprised, terrified... it’s a fine line,” I retort, focusing on the eight-ball now lined up easily near a side pocket.

We play round after round, and eventually, the guys move on from teasing me about my upcoming blind date. The other men join in, and soon, a tournament is underway. Pitchers of beer circulate, along with the warmth of camaraderie we share. It’s a night like any other at King Tap, yet I feel like something new may be in my future. If you asked me if I was ready to consider a date with a new woman, I’m not sure I’d say yes. But now thatone is arranged for me, I’m curious about the whole thing. Not that I’d tell Daryl.

“Next month, you’ll either thank me or curse me,” Daryl says with a sly grin as he sinks the first ball of the final game.

“Probably both,” I admit, unable to suppress a chuckle. “But, hey, maybe it’ll be a funny story to tell.”

“Here’s to funny stories.” Reggie raises his glass, and the rest follow suit, a chorus of drunken “cheers” filling the air. “Watching you squirm will be the highlight of the year,” he jests, his words laced with the kind of friendly malice only a true friend can muster.

“Keep it up, and I’ll make sure your love life becomes the bar’s next betting pool,” I shoot back, lining up my shot. The eight-ball kisses the cushion, rolls across the felt, and drops with a satisfyingthunk. A cheer erupts from the guys, and hands slap my back.

“Very funny, smartass. I ain’t never settling down with a woman, and you know it,” Reggie says defensively.

“Maybe we should submit you, too,” I tease, finally relaxing as the beer works through my veins. “Or are you going to finally ask Marian out on a date? You moon over Marian like a lovesick puppy.”

“Hey, now. Don’t go getting any ideas,” he warns. “And for the record: I’m single and I like it that way.”

“Sure you do,” Nathan says, and we all laugh.

As the night wears on, I wonder if Daryl might’ve done me a favor.

But what woman would be strong enough to take on my sorry ass?

CHAPTER 3

JESSICA

Irub my hands on my arms, cursing myself for thinking I could get away with wearing a cotton dress with just a denim jacket.It’s February. What did you expect?I wanted to look cute and sexy, especially since it’s Valentine’s Day, and cute and sexy is hard to do in a big puffer jacket.

When I glance down the sidewalk to my right, the butterflies in my stomach go into overdrive, and desire-fueled heat fills my body. This can’t be real…can it? Is this some kind of cosmic coincidence? What the hell ishedoing here?

I inhale sharply as Luke saunters toward me, a look of surprise on his face. My brother’s best friend and the man I never got over, even though it’s been a good two years since we dated. We had a hot fling when he came home from serving in the Middle East. He was a bad boy with, I discovered, a tender heart of gold. But knowing he had a tender heart didn’t help when he up and disappeared into the wilds of King Mountain. I thought we had a shot at a future together, but fate laughed at that idea.

He looks as handsome and hot as ever in pressed jeans and a crisp button-down shirt, his dark hair slicked back. Hell, he even trimmed his beard.

“What are you doing here?” I exclaim as Luke stops in front of me, his eyes lingering as he takes in my dress.Please don’t let my date arrive now.How awkward would it be, mooning over my ex while the man who might be my future shows up? I know it’s ridiculous to still feel things for the man who ghosted me, but seeing Luke reminds me of how much I wanted a future with him.

“Uh,” Luke stammers, faint color rising from his cheeks to his hairline. He shifts his weight from foot to foot, his discomfort as plain as day. “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

I grin at seeing Luke unsure of himself. He’s always so broody and grouchy that I can’t help but push him when he’s like this. “Try me. It can’t be stranger than why I’m here.”

Luke fixes me with an intense stare, and I squirm a little. “I’m here for a blind date. One of the knuckleheads I work with submitted me to a matchmaking service because he thinks I need a woman in my life. So…here I am.”

He stops talking when he sees the look on my face. I bite my lip so I don’t burst out laughing. How would any of the guys up on King Mountain have heard about the matchmaking contest? My brother and Luke make it sound like they’re all resolute bachelors.

He must think the look in my eyes is pain rather than my attempt to subdue my laughter because concern fills his eyes. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?” He steps toward me, resting a hand lightly on my shoulder.

His touch makes my body burn like a furnace. My mind races as I wrap my head around what I suspect is happening. “I… I’m fine. I think I’m your date. Hold on,” I say, unzipping my purse and pulling out my invitation from the matchmaker. “Does this look familiar?”

“What?” Luke’s voice raises an octave.

I smile. I like this glimpse of Luke’s vulnerability.

He takes a long look at the envelope and pulls a matching one from the back pocket of his pressed jeans. “Yeah, I got one of those, too.”

“I entered the same contest…” I hesitate. “I mean, we can’t possibly be meeting other people for the same thing, right?”

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