“What! I’m not letting some bozo I’ve never met before find out where I live, and I’m not planning to go where the mystery man lives.” She dug in her jacket pocket for some clear lip gloss and applied it without the help of a mirror. “My mouth is so dry I feel like Judah Ben Hur on his death march across the desert.”
“All the more reason to have a glass of wine.” Char reached for two glasses of wine as the server lowered the tray before her. “Here, just sip it then. One glass won’t guarantee a major crash and grisly death on the highway.”
“It could.”
“Oh, lord. You won’t be leaving for over two hours, and you’ll have dinner. Look at it this way, maybe the man you meet will be more boring and colorless than Edwin, and you can swap him out for the new guy.”
There was no point in arguing with Charlene when she started ragging on her about Edwin. Marla’s opinion of him wasn’t far off from her sister’s. She brought the glass to her lips, took a single sip, and set it down.
A tall, silver-haired man entered the lounge. “Ladies, may I have your attention? Those of you who’re participants in the SDO group please follow me to the dining room.”
“SDO?” Marla asked when Charlene stood. “Is that us?”
“Yes. Singles Dinner Only. I already told you that, but as I’ve pointed out several times already. You never listen to me.”
Marla stood, straightened her jacket, and huffed. “If only.”
Clearly annoyed, Charlene rounded on her. “Can’t you just for once in your life do something I say? I am the oldest you know.”
Marla snorted. “By ten minutes!”
“I may not be a Nobel Prize winner all wise and powerful sister, but ten minutes makes me older.”
“Okay. Let’s call a truce. You’re older.” She picked up the suede shoulder bag matching her too-high stilettos and followed Char’s swaying hips to the dining room.
When they reached the entrance, the handsome older man said, “Our group will meet in the far end of the dining room to the left. We selected it for its quiet intimacy and conduciveness for private conversation.” He smiled warmly. “The gentlemen are seated, and the tables clearly numbered. Plants and screens have been discreetly arranged around the room for added privacy. Check the number on your ticket,” he held one aloft, “and find your match for the evening. Bon Appétit, Mesdames.”
Panic gripped Marla’s chest and throat. She took a deep breath. Two hours, she could do this. Then she’d refuse any of Char’s future matchmaker schemes.
She grabbed her sister’s arm. “Wait. Char. Where shall we meet? In the bar? I have the car keys.”
“Don’t you worry about me. I’ll find my way home in my own good time.” She flipped long silky blonde tresses over her shoulder and started across the room like a thoroughbred out of the starting gate.
Clutching at her throat, Marla dragged through the room. This felt like a date with the guillotine. I can do this. I can do this.
Table six was located in the far corner of the dining alcove. A broad-shouldered man wearing a black leather jacket with an American flag patch on the right shoulder sat with his back to her. Close trimmed hair emphasized a strong neck.
Why does he look familiar?
The guy reached back to rub his neck. Two fingers were missing from his hand.
“Oh, for the love of…” she groaned. “Dwayne Dempsey.”
He turned. Those piercing blue-green eyes penetrated her gaze like shards of ice. “Well, well, well. Look who’s here.” He stood and held out the chair for her.
Marla slapped her ticket on the table and dropped into the chair with the grace of a hundred-sixty pound bag of cement. “I don’t believe this.”
“You don’t believe this? I didn’t know you were on the hunt, Red.”
In a thousand years she couldn’t have dreamed up a more absurd development for Charlene’s scheme. Leaning forward on her elbows, she nailed him with her own penetrating stare.
“Let me make this clear, Dempsey. I’m here under protest. I have no interest in a blind date with any man, least of all you.”
He cocked his head and grinned. “Wow. I didn’t know we had so much in common, beautiful.”
“We have nothing in common.” She tugged her short skirt and gulped a swallow of ice water. “So much for the so-called matching they did.”
“For your information, I’m here under protest too.” He unrolled the napkin around his silver, snapped it open, and dropped it in his lap. “I’d rather be almost anywhere else.”
That stopped her. Maybe they did have something in common, other than work on the condo project. “Oh.”
“Yeah. Oh.” He signaled the waiter. “Shall we order dinner and see if we can get through the next two hours? I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry. Might as well get Cluny’s money’s worth.”
“Cluny? The plumbing contractor?”
“Yeah, the guy over there with the blonde.” He tilted his head.
Marla turned. “Oh, good grapes, he’s with my sister Charlene.”
“Lucky him.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means he’s a lucky guy. She’s beautiful, she’s hot, and look, she’s actually smiling at him like she’s happy to be here.”
“Unlike you getting stuck with me you mean.”
“I…” Dwayne shut his mouth when the waiter approached to ask what drinks they’d like to order. He deferred to Marla.
“I’ll have a glass of pinot grigio, please.”
“And for you, sir?”
“Diet Dr. Pepper.”
“Very good. I’ll just be a moment.”
Marla’s nose had wrinkled with distaste when he ordered the Dr. Pepper.
“I don’t drink alcohol, and I happen to like Dr. Pepper,” he said. “Is that okay with you, boss?”
“Yes, of course. I’m sorry I’m acting like such a witch. Charlene’s been driving me crazy with this singles thing, and it was a long stressful day at the project.”
“I was there all day. Remember, gorgeous?”
No time like the present to tell him how she felt. “I wish you wouldn’t do that.”
“Do what?”
She pressed her lips together and sniffed. “Call me beautiful
