Page 24 of Driven to Love

“Taxidermy isn’t the end of a relationship. How was the rest of the date?” Trish asked.

“Dinner was delicious, but I couldn’t make myself ask if it was beef or not.”

“Probably venison. My dad cooks a superb venison steak.” Laney rubbed her tummy.

“Ted’s a nice guy, but…” Addison bit her bottom lip.

“I wouldn’t blame you if it’s the animals.” Marti picked a pepperoni off a slice of pizza and popped it into her mouth.

“It’s not that. Well, not just that. He gave me a kiss goodnight and… nothing.”

“Ooh, that’s a relationship killer.” Trish shook her head. “Leon was a greasy mechanic with a clunker car when I met him, but boy, could that man kiss. He still can.” She winked.

Three boys, two the spitting image of Leon, came out and grabbed another piece of pizza. “Mom. Can we go?” one asked.

“Where’s your father?”

“He’s coming.”

Trish stood and picked up her purse. “This was fun. We’ll have to do this again.”

“Definitely,” Laney said.

Addison agreed.

“Hey, Addison. Glad you made it. You missed Cade kicking Nash’s butt in darts. Steele would need a miracle to win that game,” Leon said as he strolled up to the table.

“Sounds like good entertainment.” She grinned.

“Sure was. Well, time to go before the kids drive off without us.” He took hold of his wife’s hand and waved to the table as he pulled her out the door.

Marti slid over. “So, what’s the deal? Are you dating mortal men now? You always had the hottest dates.”

“It’s time for a change.”

“Okay. So, Ted’s out. Let’s see if we can find you a new date.” Marti turned to scan the restaurant. “What about the blond at the bar?”

“No. But, the guy at the front table looks interesting.” Addison tugged the hem of her shirt, which exposed an inch more of cleavage. She ran her tongue over her teeth, making sure she didn’t have any pepperoni in her smile, then sauntered across the room.

She reached the table and smiled. The guy had dark blond hair and wore a Twin’s baseball jersey and jeans. Everything about him screamed average Joe.

Perfect.

“Double twenty. Ha!” Nash clinched the win with that one dart.

“That was pure luck.”

“Bull. It’s skill, all the way.” He put the darts back and picked up his drink. With Davey hanging with Leon’s boys this evening, he had time to kill. “How about a game of pool?”

“I should go see if Laney’s good. I know she wasn’t comfortable leaving the dog tonight.”

“Yeah. Davey wore Max out this afternoon, but I shouldn’t stay too long. I bet he slept the whole time we were here.”

Nash followed Cade back into the dining area. Laney and her friend, Marti, were at the table, but their focus was on something across the bar.

A feminine laugh from the direction of where the gals were focusing their attention tinkled through the room. Another laugh, this one higher pitched, sounded forced even to his untrained ears. He swiveled his head toward the sound.

“Addison.” Nash stumbled. What’s she doing here? She had a date. With that guy? He eyed the man currently flirting with her. No way he was Addison’s type.