Page 30 of Third Time Lucky

‘Can I get you anything?’ the woman delivering his beer asks, glancing my way.

‘I’m good,’ I say, a Coke sitting in front of me.

He didn’t offer to feed me; he just asked what I wanted to drink. Something in the form of a double was my first thought. But that wasn’t an option because I refuse to go back home tonight and risk Ash still being there to see me drunk – again – so soda it is.

He takes a big sip and then leans my way. ‘Have I told you that you’re gorgeous?’

I nod. ‘Twice. Thank you.’

It’s about the only thing he’s open with – that I am beautiful. It must be his ‘line.’ Tell a woman she’s beautiful enough times, and she’ll start paying attention to you – eventually. But I’m more than just a pretty face.

I glance at my phone, willing it to ring, but it only sits there silently, its screen black – taunting me. Even checking my email, likely filled with unwanted sales ads, would be more interesting than this conversation.

‘I heardyoualmost needed a divorce,’ he says out of the blue.

No, she didn’t tell him about Vegas. Dang it, Madi.

‘It was a close call,’ I admit. ‘Had we made it another fifteen minutes, an annulment would have been necessary, but luckily, a friend saved me.’

‘Interesting,’ he says.

‘It was more humiliating than interesting, but yeah.’

‘I’m sure there were red flags,’ he says as if I’m an idiot.

Sadly, I don’t entirely disagree. I’ve thought about this a lot. Red flags. Green flags. And invisible flags. I see none of them. Love makes you blind – that much I know.

‘Riddle me this,’ I say, earning his attention. ‘Considering your profession, you probably know a lot about bad relationships. Got any advice on how not to let that happen in the future?’

Maybe he’s got wisdom. It can’t hurt to find out.

‘My advice is always to keep things casual,’ he says before setting his beer on the table, his gaze finally meeting mine, but it’s strange, like he’s trying to read me or hear something from across the room. ‘Orif you insist on wedded bliss, marry the friend – seems like he’s got your best interests at heart.’

I cock my head, confused. The first part I get, that’s his vibe. But marry the friend? Huh?

Finally, my phone buzzes in front of me. That took forever. I snatch it from the table before he can glimpse Madi’s face.

‘Hey,’ he says, holding up a hand before I can answer. ‘Real quick, is this going anywhere?’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I live right around the corner.’ He nods toward the front door, waggling his eyebrows.

For a second, I’m stunned. He wants to take me back to his place? I’d bet money he doesn’t even remember my name. But he can’t be that brazen. He probably just wants to show me his law book collection… not. What a piece of work. He’s spent twenty minutes with me, and he’s ready for me to drop my dress on his bedroom floor and give it up. Absolutely not.

I answer the call, ignoring his question indefinitely. ‘Hello?’

‘Seriously?’ she says. ‘Didn’t you guys just get there, and you already hate him?’

‘Loathe.’

She sighs heavily. ‘Not even for a stress relief?’

‘No, thank you.’

I smile sweetly at Tanner, who, for once, is looking me in the eye. Wouldn’t want him to know I’m looking for a way out of this mistake.

‘Fine, I’m five minutes away. Can you wait that long, or do you need me to call in a bomb threat?’

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