Page 26 of Playboy For Hire

“I don’t think you’re a nerd. I think I’m just a dumbass.”

“At least you’re a hot one?” Quinn said.

He seemed like he was in a much better mood now, so that was nice. But I couldn’t help wishing he’d contradicted me just now. It would be nice for someone to tell me once that I was smart, instead of good-looking.

Still, at least he thought I was hot. Not that it mattered. I didn’t care whether other guys found me attractive, after all. But it was nice to have it confirmed anyway.

“So when’s your next first date?” I asked.

Quinn sighed. “Monday.”

“Wow, don’t sound so excited.”

“I’m notnotexcited. I’ve just kind of given up on getting my hopes up. I save the excitement for date two.”

“Which according to you, never happens.”

“Yeah, but not for lack of enthusiasm on my part,” Quinn protested. “It just never works out. Once a guy sees me in person…” He gestured to his cheek. “It always fizzles. But it’s an excuse for another iced oat milk almond mocha, anyway. I think I’m single-handedly keeping Bar Onze in business these days.”

I opened my mouth to ask whether his date would be at Bar Onze, but the music cut off suddenly, and everyone stopped dancing. A spotlight appeared in the center of the dance floor,and Quinn’s grandfather stepped into the light, microphone in hand.

“I hate to interrupt the dancing, folks,” he said. “But I just had to take a minute to thank you all for coming here tonight.”

“Free dinner,” said a voice on my left. I looked over to see that an older woman in a motorized scooter had pulled up beside me and Quinn.

She was wearing a shiny green suit with truly gigantic shoulder pads that had to be vintage Claude Montana. My eyes went wide. I’d never seen anything of his in real life, but there was no mistaking the tailoring.

“Have to be a fool to turn down a free dinner,” the woman continued. “Besides, I couldn’t pass up a chance to meet my grand nephew’s boyfriend, could I?”

She winked up at me.

“Auntie Thea!” Quinn said when he realized who was next to us. He sounded delighted, but he lowered his voice when people around us turned to look. His grandfather was in the middle of thanking the hotel and restaurant staff.

“I haven’t seen you all night,” he hissed, giving her a reproving look.

“I’ve been around,” Thea said airily. “And I don’t need a babysitter. I brought my roomba tonight.” She tapped the controls of her scooter and grinned. “People know better than to get in my way in this thing.”

“Should I be checking for vehicular homicide victims?” Quinn whispered.

“Not so far,” Thea said primly. She hadn’t lowered her voice at all. “But I haven’t run into Marie yet either. I make no promises. But enough about that. Introduce me to this handsome young man.” She nodded up at me.

“Oh, right.” Quinn shook himself. “Auntie Thea, this is Ryder. Ryder, this is my Auntie Thea. I’ve told you a little bit about her.”

“All good things,” I said to Thea.

“Well, I know that’s a lie,” she said. “Because if he were being honest, he’d have told you I’m a sharp-tongued harpy who you’d better watch out for.”

“I—he didn’t—I mean…”

“He’d be right of course.” She cackled, still not lowering her voice. “I am.”

I grinned. “Well, now I’m even more pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“...want to say one more thing, before I let you get back to your dancing,” Julius was saying when I turned my attention back to him. “Tonight is a celebration of a marriage—my marriage—to my beautiful wife. Delia, where are you, honey? Come on up here.”

There was a stir in the crowd across from us, and as the ripple of movement reached the edge of the circle, Quinn’s grandmother stepped out of the crowd, flushed and fluttery, waving a hand in front of her face.

“You know I don’t like being the center of attention,” she said to Julius—close enough for the mic to catch it. She looked like she wanted to melt back into the crowd. “There’s no need to make a fuss.”

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