Page 7 of Melissa's Mates (Blissful Bets)

The lyrics to the song playing in the crowded bar were being yelled in Melissa’s ear. She looked over laughing at the still intoxicated Julie. “Come on, girlie, sing with me. This song fucking rocks.” Her friend went back to singing as Natalie and a new girl walked up.

Gray eyes stared amused as Nat looked down at her and smiled. “I see someone started without me. Damn, I’m going to have fun catching up with her. This is Cindy. She works with me at the bank. I think she’ll be perfect for our little game.”

“Bets is definitely the way to go if you’re looking for fun and not wanting to get tied down. Although, with the way things have been going, I’m not so sure about that anymore.” Melissa whispered the last part to herself.

Evelyn had actually come up with this game last year when they were waiting for spring break to arrive. Boredom didn’t last as they all found the game of betting on men a challenge they couldn’t resist. With one point of a friend’s finger, if the challenged woman approved, she set her sights on her target and tried to see if she could get him to leave with her. Melissa loved the distraction for a while. Now it seemed like bad luck had glued itself to her side.

“So, any takers for tonight? I saw a really hot cowboy for you, Melissa.”

“Where?” She craned her neck to see where Natalie pointed. The moment she saw him she shook her head no. “Too skinny. I like my men—”

“Hello, ladies.”

Melissa’s mouth twisted at the man dressed in a pair of khakis and a blue and white polo shirt. Light blue eyes pierced hers, and she could feel her heart race. “What are you doing here?” The words slipped out, and she cursed. Now why did she react like that? This guy wasn’t bad. And she was thankful the “run” feeling was gone. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that like it sounded. Here, sit. I’ll make it up to you. Julie, scoot your ass over.”

Channing smiled and took a seat. Melissa had no idea what she was doing, but she really hated the way every time she opened her mouth the wrong thing came out. “So Channing, was it?”

“Yes, and you’re Melissa.”

“Yes.” She smiled. “Well, what brings you out here? It wasn’t that my friend mentioned it earlier, was it?”

“That’s exactly what it was, actually.”

A laugh broke from her throat. “Well, at least you’re honest. Can I buy you a drink? I feel a little bad about earlier. My day has been off. I was extremely rude to you, and for that, I’m sorry.”

“How about I buy you a drink?”

“I’m not drinking tonight. I have to drive back to the island at some point.”

“Well, I’m not drinking either. Would you like a water or something?”

Melissa studied his light blue eyes. What was it about their depths that drew her in? He quickly looked away and broke their contact.

“No, no water. So, do you live on the island, or are you vacationing? Taking the suit from earlier, I don’t think you’re a tourist.”

A smile flashed white teeth. Something about them made Melissa pause. She wasn’t sure what it was. Her brain felt like it blanked, leaving her feeling confused.

“No, I’m not a tourist, but I don’t live on the island, either. I was visiting some friends.”

“Really? Maybe I know them. I’ve lived on the island forever.”

“Well, do you know a guy named Brandon De La Cruz?”

“Brandon! Yes, he’s one of my best friend’s boyfriends. Ev and I go way back.”

“Small world.” He grinned and looked toward Julie who was dancing in the seat. His laugh made Melissa’s body spasm. Jolted by the feeling, her fingers clamped to the table. Warmth caressed her neck, bringing her eyes down heavily.

“Are you all right?” He whispered in her ear, causing her stomach to tighten even more.

All Melissa could do was nod. She forced her eyes open. What in the hell was happening to her? She wasn’t lying about today feeling off. She’d said it earlier, but she couldn’t stress the point to herself, enough. Something wasn’t right. It started with the news about babies, then meeting Channing, then the guy at the beach, and now Channing again. What a day.

Natalie stood and smiled down at her. She pointed her finger at Channing, the classic sign she was making him Melissa’s target. “You need to dance. Why don’t the two of you go and have fun? I’m taking Julie and Cindy over to these really hot guys across the bar.”

As the girls left, her heart beat even faster. She looked at Channing, seeing flashes of them together. The thought of having sex with this man was somehow different. He was somehow different than any other man she’d been with before. The music brought her out of the fantasies. Remembering Natalie’s words, she tried to keep the images of the two of them so close together out of her mind.

“Would you? Like to dance, that is?”

“Sorry, I’m a horrible dancer.” Melissa looked away quickly but turned back to him.

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