Page 27 of Clean Out of Luck

“Oh, that’s great! I heard that a handful of the guys play racquetball a couple of times a week. He even invited me. I may just go one of these days.”

I look at Liam. He’s got a lean build compared to Wade’s filled-out frame, but Liam’s wiry. He seems like he could maybe hold his own with the guys.

My phone chimes.

I should just ignore it. But then again, it could be Claire telling me the courthouse is on fire and I should come save my secret stash of cereal in the lunchroom.

I reach into my purse and pull out my phone.

WADE

What’s your date’s name?

SCARLETT

I hope you realize this is one of your most asked questions.

He says you know him.

WADE

I recognize him, but I don’t know him.

SCARLETT

He says you invited him to racquetball.

WADE

I probably did. I invite lots of people. Now, what’s his name?

I tuck my phone back into my purse and pretend to pick up the menu and study it.

Liam and I have a good lunch together. He’s kind, funny, and good with people. And somehow, he knows everybody. He talks to five different people in the deli who recognize him.

I smile politely at each person who pauses to say hi.

“You haven’t even had a chance to eat your food yet,” I point out to him.

“I guess I’ve been too busy talking, haven’t I?” He glances down at his watch. “Dang it, where does the time go? It’s almost time to head back for work.”

I watch in amusement as he eats the entire sandwich in three bites. The most amazing part is that he eats it cleanly, too, with no trail of lettuce left behind. There’s no sign of the sandwich in about ten seconds.

“Thanks for coming out with me,” Liam says as he jumps up and takes the check from the server.

I reach for my purse to pay my half of the tab, but Liam waves me off. “No, I got this.”

He pays the bill, and we walk outside and head back toward the courthouse. Liam reaches over and brushes the back of his hand against mine and smiles shyly at me.

Dang it.He’s nice. And I like him. But I felt more sparks when Wade buckled my bike helmet.

Chapter Nine

Scarlett

Leaning forward,I swipe some lip gloss over my heart-shaped mouth, run my fingers through my hair, and attach some cute gold earrings. Now I’m ready for my second date of the day.

The guy I’m going out with on this date, I met on the app Swipe Rite. I can’t believe I’m resorting to an online dating app, but a friend actually recommended it to me—someone who met her husband there, and they seem happy. I even like him. He seems nice, but it feels weird. My mom is a judge, my dad is an attorney, and my brother is a DA. If they ever knew I was meeting strangers on the internet, they’d either disown me or never let me out of their sight.

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