Page 27 of A Quick Stop in Paradise

She sucked in a breath, quivering a little as she did, and slowly, she looked up at me through big eyes, her brows knotted in something heartbreaking and sweet all at once. A smile played softly over her lips, but what she said wasn’t what I’d expected. “You invite girls for dinner out of pity a lot?”

I laughed. “It’s not pity, Ryan. Be difficult with me and I’ll give you decaf next time you come around looking for coffee.”

She smiled wider, eyes crinkling in the corners. “Well, I wouldn’t want that. Thanks, Brooklyn. I’d really appreciate it—you know, the chance to get my exclusive tour guide bonus.” She paused. “Can we go rock-climbing?”

I raised my eyebrows. “Easy with the flirting.”

She laughed, big and bright and honest this time, looking down. “I just think it’d be cathartic right now to pour as much force into something as I can possibly dredge up.”

Maybe she thought that made her less attractive, but a girl who felt her frustrations and channeled them into passion—and especially rock-climbing specifically—was damn hot. But I was not hitting on Ryan, no matter how tempting she was. “Woman after my own heart,” I settled for saying. “Allison’s done at eight, so we can go then. You can come have some pre-workout at my place before then.”

“Late-night rock climbing. That’s your love language?”

I grinned. “Bartenders have no sense of day or night, time of day…”

“Writers too,” she laughed. “No wonder we get along.”

A spark hit me, and I bit my lip through a big smile. “Actually… I could use your help with something.”

She quirked an eyebrow at me. “Something other than just having someone who knows how to operate a shower join you at the gym?”

“I know. I’m asking a lot. I’m a very demanding woman.” I folded my arms on the bar, leaning over close to her—a little self-indulgent of me, using the conspiratorial whispering as an excuse to get up close to her face. She wasdesperatelypretty, and just because I couldn’t go there didn’t mean I couldn’t… admire. I was such a sucker for brown eyes and thick lashes. “Allison’s taking on a little mission for herself, pushing out of her comfort zone. I promised to help her.”

“Actually talking to a girl?”

“You’ll never believe it, but actually yes. She wants to try a casual relationship just so she can check it off her bucket list.”

She laughed, a hand over her mouth. “Hold on. And you’re asking me? To help with… girls? I don’t know if that’s my strong suit…”

“I’m sure you’d do damn well if you set out for it, but I more just think it’ll be nice to have another friend on for the ride. Besides—I imagine you’re pretty good at scoping out information in the area. Journalism and all that.”

“Never done field research on, uh, lesbian hookups before.”

“First time for everything. What do you say? Allison loves you.”

She sighed with a soft smile at me. “You spoil me, honestly.”

“I mean, I try. But you realize this is me asking you for help.”

She shook her head, smiling wider. “Only because you know I’ll feel better with something to do and some way to contribute. Like I said… you’re much more of a softie than you look.”

I laughed, leaning in a little closer. “Are you telling me I look like a jerk?”

She met my challenging look with an equally challenging smile. “Just telling you that you look like you’re tough and can take anything and anyone, when actually you’re a little marshmallow.”

“Amarshmallow.” I clapped my hands down on the bar in mock outrage. “You take that back.”

“I won’t.”

“Unbelievable. I’m not going easy on you at the gym until you take it back.”

She grinned, flashing brilliant white teeth at me, one canine just a little bit crooked—hadn’t noticed it before, only this close up. I always loved a smile with a little something like that, a little touch of personality. It was cute, especially on Ryan. “Then I’ll just have to bring my best game, because I’m not taking it back.”

I stood up, shaking my head with a smile I couldn’t help. “I’ll enjoy making you eat your words, Ryan. Six-thirty at my place.”

“It’s a deal. Until then… any recommendations for an out-of-the-way spot to sit and get some writing in, where people aren’t likely to stumble across me?”

“Little café called Stern’s, up towards the interior a bit. I know the proprietor, so you can tell them Brooklyn sent you and they’ll treat you like family. For better or worse.”

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