Page 3 of Flirting with Trouble

“No.” I’ve worked hard to shake that assumption. “Because I’m a great guy, and it doesn’t hurt that I own Rock Bottom Bar and Grill.”

“That is impressive, and I liked that place. It was the in spot.” She takes another drink.

“Now we’re getting somewhere. What did you like?” I nudge her with my knee. “The owner?”

“The food.”

“Well, that’s something. To the food.” I lift my glass, and she joins me in a toast. “A’right, beautiful, you got the truth out of me. Now it’s my turn. Your friends left after you had dinner, and you stuck around hoping I’d come by, right?”

Her eyes dance with amusement. “More like, to drown my sorrows.”

“Your sorrows? Those words should never come out of your gorgeous mouth. Did you lose a big business deal?”

“Ha! You clearly don’t know me. I never lose business deals, big or small.” She runs her finger around the rim of her glass, her expression turning contemplative. Those pretty eyes flick to mine. “Today is the anniversary of the day I met my late husband, Harvey.”

My chest constricts. “Oh, shit. Sorry, Vic.” I knew she was a widow and had lost her husband a while back. “That’s got to be rough.”

“It is what it is.”

I lift my glass. “To Harvey. He must’ve been a hell of a guy to have won your heart.”

“He was.” She taps her glass to mine, smiling again. “To Harvey.”

We drink, and then I ask, “Do you want to talk about him?”

“Thanks, but no,” she says emphatically. “He’s been gone for several years, and I’ve had enough alcohol that I’m not overthinking it. I’d like to keep it that way.”

“Okay, Harvey is off the table.” I sweep my arm between us like I’m pushing Harvey away and go for a smile, waggling my brows. “How about me? Am I on the table?”

An almost-silent laugh tumbles out, and she takes another drink. “You do make me laugh.”

“That means I have a shot. Who’s my competition? The friends you had dinner with?”

“No, but you have dated one of them,” she taunts.

“At least I know they’re female.”

“I had dinner with Leni and Shea. They plied me with alcohol and upbeat conversation, as good friends should.”

Leni was Sutton’s sister. She worked for their cousin Shea Steele at her PR firm. Shea didn’t grow up on the island with us, but Leni and I dated in high school, and it didn’t end well. We remained friends, despite Leni carrying a chip on her shoulder toward me, which I fully deserved. We finally talked about what had happened a year and a half ago and smoothed things over, but I’m curious about what she’s told Victory.

“Leni, huh? Did she sing my praises?”

“I wouldn’t go that far, but she thinks you’re a good guy. Even if you’re a shameless flirt who will probably never settle down.”

Thank you, Leni. “She knows me well and she loves me. You will, too, one day.” I lift my chin. “You can’t resist this face forever.”

“It’s a wonder I’ve lasted this long.”

“It is a little shocking, but hey, it’s the thrill of the chase, right?”

“The chase,” she says longingly, and gazes absently over my shoulder as if she’s watching a scene play out. She picks up her glass and swirls it, watching the alcohol slosh over the ice. “I was the one who chased Harvey.”

“He’s a lucky man. I like a woman who goes after what she wants. To the thrill of the chase.”

We toast, and then her attention returns to her glass as she sets it on the bar and wraps both hands around it, her fingers tapping to the beat of the music. “I haven’t been chased in so long, I can’t even remember what it feels like,” she confesses.

“Come on. You’re joking, right? A smart, attractive woman like you must have guys lining up to take you out. You can level with me,” I say coaxingly. “Are you swiping the right way on the apps? Do you need a tutorial?”