Page 24 of Playing For Keeps
“So that’s why you have a nice sunburn except for where the ring was, because you were just so heartbroken that you simply couldn’t take it off? Oh wait—you constantly took it off.”
“We’re in the process of…”
“Save it Saul, the only thing I want to see is you leaving before I tell your date that you’re married and have three kids at home, and really how classy of you to come over here to talk to me while she’s sitting at the table,” she drawled pointedly. “I mean how on earth could Ipossiblypass up a guy like you?”
He turned and stalked away as she sat back down trying to stop the smirk that pulled at her lips.
“Your southern drawl comes out more when you’re annoyed do you know that?” Jake asked her.
“It comes in handy sometimes,” she replied with a shrug.
“Married with three kids huh?” Leroy stated.
“At least, when I ran into them on the sidewalk the wife was quite round. It was hard to tell if it was a pregnancy or something else.”
“Maybe what you need is a real man instead of fools with degrees, no offense docs,” Gary offered making her laugh.
“You wouldn’t want to risk it,” she stated. “You would fall and then start behaving worse than those fools with degrees, and I certainly don’t need anyone in my life that is looking for a stupid ring they can’t wear without needing a bodyguard.”
“Is that why you threw Walker over?” Jake asked forcing her to turn her glare on him.
“How do you know about Walker?” she inquired. He’d been the only person in the last three years to get past date three; in fact, he’d gotten to date ten before she’d called it quits.
“I do my research,” he told her. “Plus, I checked with some of the members of the baseball team up here to see if anyone wanted to help out.”
“And?” she stated.
“And several agreed since the dates we chose for both the auction and the ball were off days for them.”
“When you say several?”
Jake nodded behind her, and she turned her head groaning when she saw Walker and two others headed their way. “Did I forget to mention they were joining us?”
“Just wait Jake,” she said with a smile that hid the depth of annoyance.
“There’s that southern drawl again,” he whispered into her ear as he came around the table to greet the men.
“You’ll regret this,” she warned as Walker turned to her.
“Stacey,” he said, and she hated seeing the look in his eyes. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You too Walker,” she lied kissing his cheek as he gave her a hug.
“When Jake told us you were helping out with this, I knew we’d be in good hands,” he stated taking the empty spot next to her.
“Walker…”
“I know just friends, but you can’t blame a guy for trying,” he replied, “especially not when you’re the woman in question.”
“So, you’re the girl who crushed our buddy huh?” Clark asked. “Man Walker, you weren’t kidding when you said she was amazing.”
“Alright I’m hoping this is everyone that’s joining us,” she said looking pointedly at Jake who nodded. “Why don’t we discuss the auction and ball ideas then hmm? I for one don’t want to talk about my past relationships any further.”
“You might have to move down the seaboard soon Stacey; you really are running out of men in the city to date,” Jake countered.
“Enough Jake, don’t forget that as Emma’s best friend I’m sure I have more pull over them as a couple than you do.”
“Threatening to steal my best friend away if I don’t act like the southern boy I am?” he questioned.
