Page 12 of The Trouble With Attraction (Rock Canyon, Idaho 6)

“More or less. He was just so…nice. You know? Never raised his voice, always polite, hated confrontation. Drove me nuts.”

“Most women I talk to want a nice, decent guy.” Which was probably why Eric was perpetually single.

“I don’t mind a nice guy. I just want him to have some back bone, you know? Not be such a—”

“Pussy?” Eric supplied helpfully.

“Pussy, exactly.” Holding out her glass, she grinned. “Hit me again barkeep.”

“Aren’t you driving? You’re pretty itty bitty to take on almost a whole pitcher.”

“Then why did you pour it if you didn’t want me to finish it?”

“Well I thought we’d share it.” He only filled up half her glass and poured the rest in his.

“So much for my free pitcher. Gypping me after I helped you out of the goodness of my heart. I’m going to remember this.”

“I’m sure you will,” he said.

“What’s that mean?”

“Just that you seem to have an elephant’s memory for everything, real or imaginary, I might do to you.”

Emptying the last of her beer, she scowled at him. “Are you saying that I hold a grudge?”

“Definitely.”

Gracie’s face flushed crimson. “Maybe if you weren’t such an asshole all the time, I would forget about all the other dickish things you’ve done.”

“I might have done some things, but I’m sure I’ve apologized a fair amount too.”

“Funny, but I would probably remember the great Eric Henderson admitting he was being a tool!”

Eric gripped the bar top, anger prickling across his skin like a blast of hot air. “I may be a tool, but I’ve never met a more aggravating—”

Someone was pounding on the front door, yelling his name.

“Eric, yo, you still there?”

Eric came around the bar, and threw open the door. “What?”

Carl Andrews stood on the other side, swallowing hard. “Sorry, I left my card I think.”

Eric went to get it and found Gracie grabbing her purse from behind the bar. “Where are you going? We aren’t done.”

“Oh, yes we are.” Jerking her purse strap over her shoulder, she called out sweetly, “Carl, honey, could you give me a lift home? I’m afraid I had one too many beers.”

Carl appeared to have died and gone to heaven. “Sure, Gracie, be happy to.”

“Thank you.” Shooting Eric a pointed look. “Such a gentleman.”

Eric found the card and grinding his teeth painfully, tossed it onto the bar top. “Next time, you pick this up when we open. I don’t always hang out afterwards.”

“Sorry, Eric.” Carl put his card in his wallet. “Ready?”

“Sure am.” Tucking her hand into Carl’s arm, she waved at Eric. “Thanks for the beer.”

Eric came around and stood in the doorway, watching as Carl helped her up into the truck, wondering what in the hell had happened. They had been having an almost pleasant conversation, until al

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