Page 11 of Artemis

Artemis assessedthe men in the bar at the speed dating event over the rim of her wine glass. Several looked promising, making her heart speed up in anticipation. Hopefully one of them would be as attracted to her.

She was already sitting at a table, not really wanting to mingle before the event took place. In the past, the longer people talked to her, the less they wanted to stick around. A five minute speed date was the perfect pace for her.

She hoped.

She took another sip of the sweet red, the fruity flavors bursting across her taste buds. Artemis put the glass down on the table, not wanting to drink it too quickly. She wanted a buzz, not to get drunk. Switching which ankle was crossed in front, she shifted on her chair.

When is this going to start?

Finally, the stunningly beautiful Aphrodite appeared at the front of the room and got their attention. “Good evening, everyone! If you wouldn’t mind taking your seats...”

There was a flurry of activity as people hurried to follow the directions.

“Excellent. Your dates will be five minutes each. Once you have changed tables, you will have ten seconds to mark down your impressions of your previous date before the next one starts. Any questions before we begin?” Aphrodite paused. “Your first date starts now.”

Artemis smiled at the dark-skinned man sitting across from her. She took in his brown eyes and elegantly-trimmed goatee.

He’s extremely attractive.

“Artemis,” she introduced herself.

“My name is Abdullah,” he replied in a thick accent, holding out his hand to her. “It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance. What is it that you do?”

“Oh, I’m in finance,” Artemis said flippantly. His voice was making it difficult for her to think. “And you?”

“I am the head chef of a restaurant,” he said.

“Really? What type of food?” Artemis leaned forward eagerly.

“Middle-Eastern.” He smiled. “Have you ever tried it?”

“Oh yes. I hand-make samosas with my son for dinner once a month.”

“Oh, you have a son.” Abdullah pulled back slightly.

Artemis’s heart sank. “Yes, he’s almost three. We do a lot together. But I don’t want to introduce him to anyone for a while.”

“Hmm, yes, I quite agree,” he said noncommittally.

She sighed.

One date down, thirteen to go.

Every time a new date started, Artemis made a mental note not to mention Alexander, but it always slipped out, and the men responded the same way each time; complete disinterest.

Artemis sipped the last of her wine between dates, and considered getting another glass. It was almost the end of the event, and nobody seemed interested. She wasn’t sure what she’d come here for, a fling or something more, but it was looking more and more like she’d leave empty handed tonight. Frustrated with herself, she looked up at her last date of the evening.

Up and up, gaze trailing over hard muscle, broad shoulders, and twinkly blue eyes. “Hi,” she said a little breathlessly.

“Hi.” He smiled at her. “How has your evening been?”

She waved a dismissive hand. “Better now.”

His smile widened. “I’m Finley.”

“Artemis.” She couldn’t stop staring at his forearms, framed by rolled up dark blue sleeves. “You are a very attractive man.”

Finley chuckled. “Thank you. You’re stunningly beautiful yourself. Can I guess your occupation before you guess mine?”

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