Page 121 of Mr. Flirt

Brendan eyed me. “Seeing what?”

“Lucy. Seeing Lucy...” My voice trailed off, and I glanced in her direction one last time, knowing I’d probably never see her again.

Chapter Thirty-Six

What Else Can You Ride?

Lucy

I didn’t have to see Shep to feel him in the bar. His gaze burned into me, and my cheeks warmed instantly.

Damn it.

He looked insanely good. Maybe lost a little bit of weight, which he didn’t need to do, but he looked incredible. It was like my mind had been playing tricks on me the last six weeks, trying to conjure up a different image of him so that I wouldn’t be so attracted to the man I couldn’t have.

I swallowed down the ache erupting in my entire body and inching its way up my throat when I spotted Cliff and made my way over to the booth.

He was a nice guy, and I was kind of flattered that he’d figured out a way to get ahold of me through Shep’s friends. That took perseverance, which was something I totally commended. Cliff’s dark hair tumbled across his forehead as we both took our seats in the booth.

“You’re beautiful,” Cliff said, smiling. Small wrinkles edged his eyes and cheekbones as he continued to grin at me, his eyes roaming along my body.

I snuck a peek toward Shep’s table. He wasn’t looking this way any longer. Maybe it had all been in my imagination.

So, life had basically gone back to normal for Seattle’s Most Eligible Bachelor.

Fine.

Good.

His friends were mistaken.

“You’re an attorney,” Cliff began.

“I am. I specialize in family law, mainly divorce.”

Cliff grimaced. “How does that bode for relationships?”

“Well, I know how they end most of the time.”

Cliff didn’t know whether to laugh or run.

The server came over and offered us drinks. I chose a double martini.

“Thanks for letting me take you out tonight. I’m sorry it was through some off channels.” He closed the menu as his eyes stayed on mine.

“Absolutely. I’m thrilled at the chance. I remember meeting you here quite a few weeks ago.”

He beamed. “I wasn’t sure if you’d remember.”

“Of course.” I laughed, thinking back to Shep that night. The evening had been filled with such lightness, and I think that was the night I finally started to crack my heart open for Shep a little. “You were kind of bummed that I wasn’t alone.”

Cliff nodded. “Things work out.”

I smiled as the server brought over our drinks, and Cliff ordered appetizers. I took several sips of the martini while the server stood at our table, and I bobbed my brows up and down to signal for another drink.

Since I hadn’t eaten much during the day, the liquor was hitting me hard, which was good since I had the love of my life sitting across the bar with his best friends while I sat across from someone I really had no interest in.

But I knew Cliff was supposed to be who I was interested in. He had the looks, the degrees, the career, the dry sense of humor, and an overwhelming sense of responsibility with every syllable spoken. He was my ideal guy on paper.

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