Page 73 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

Sadie ambled past Channing and Keef. “Hi, fellows. I hope you’re having an amazing morning.” Her gaze stayed on Channing.

“Splendid,” Keef said.

Channing didn’t say a word, but he followed her with his hungry gaze as she headed for the restrooms down the hall. Watching her triggered a scorching heat in his groin and when he turned back around, he found Keef staring too. Channing shifted to block his buddy’s view.

“You think she’s getting it with him?” Keef darted his thumb in the air toward Damon.

“None of my business.”Gotta play it cool, man,Channing repeated in his head.

“He doesn’t seem her type.”

“Type?” Channing gritted his teeth so hard he thought he’d chip a tooth.

“You know, not a hair out of place and manicured nails.” Keef chuckled.

When it got too much, Channing picked up his full cup and intentionally shook his hand, spilling a drop of the liquid onto his jeans. “Ah, shit.” He grabbed a napkin and half-attempted to wipe up the spreading stain. “This is no use. I better go try water.” He slipped off the stool and headed for the hallway, stopping at the closed door of the men’s restroom to glance back into the dining room. When he was certain no one saw him, he stepped across to the women’s room.

He lightly tapped on the door.

“Someone’s in here,” Sadie called out.

“Yeah, that’s why I’m out here.” Thankfully, the music playing on the jukebox would drown out any noise.

“Hang on.” A second later the door swung open, and Sadie had her hand planted on her flared hip. Her lips pursed. “Wrong bathroom, cowboy.”

“No, it’s very much the right one. You finished?”

“Yeah, I was just heading out.”

“Can I talk to you a moment?”

“Here?” One thin brow popped up. “I guess.”

He slipped inside, closed the door with his boot and locked it. “This will only take a minute.”

“What’s come over you?” Her irises twinkled.

Without a word, he snaked his arm around her waist and dragged her against him. “Did you know I was here?” Their faces were so close their noses touched.

“Now how would I know a thing like that?”

“So that’s the yoga instructor, huh?”

“Damon.” She smiled. “Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”

“Why didn’t you ask him to help with holiday decorating?”

She blinked. “Because he has other plans.”

“I was second choice?” he teased, but he felt an invisible twist in his gut.

“Actually, you were third choice. Remember Annika was first?” Her smile grew. She was clearly amused at his growing frustration.

“Have you ever been kissed in a public restroom before?” His body ached for more, but he drew a firm line at having a quickie in the diner bathroom. His ma would tan his hide if word got out.

Her eyes sparkled in mischief. “No, I haven’t, but won’t Keef be suspicious if you’re gone too long?”

“No. Will Damon?”

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