Page 2 of Suits and Spark Plugs

“Not relevant.”

“Completely relevant.” I pressed past her and looked over my shoulder as I turned the bar corner. “I didn’t bug you about it, and I’ll thank you to do the same.”

Nothing more was said for a while as we went about our duties, which was fine by me. It gave me more time to daydream about Blaine’s glacier blue eyes and how much I enjoyed looking into them. He was only a few inches taller than my five feet, four inches, which made it so much easier to soak up the beauty of his eyes.

While I took more orders I imagined what oil paint colors I’d need to mix on my pallet to get just the right blend of blue and gray to match his eyes. It would be tricky because I’d noticed some almost white flecks when I’d seen him last.

When I returned to the drink station, Kelly was there too. “I’m in a dry spell, Liv,” she said to me. “I need a man.”

I pulled a face. Kelly had been searching for a man with the same amount of effort that you’d put into plucking unwanted chin hairs. Although I’d known her since we were in elementary school, I’d never fully understood her desperation to be in a relationship. Kelly came from a solid family, had a quick-witted intelligence that had been our bonding force, and was attractive. But there seemed to be a loneliness in her that she couldn’t quite fill. I hated that she thought she needed a man to plug into that place.

I repeated the same thing I’d been saying since we’d graduated high school six years ago. “Your life is fine without a man.” Then, in case she tried to accuse me of not validating her feelings, I added this helpful tidbit. “Statistically speaking, something like sixty-three percent of adults have never been married. They seem to be getting along just fine.”

“Says the girl with a boyfriend.” Kelly hip bumped me.

“I’m not sure I’d call him my boyfriend,” I replied.

“I’ll bet a solid eighty percent of your statistical people wish they could find love.”

I shook my head. “I doubt that. Choosing to stay single can be very fulfilling.”

“Your science is bunk,” Kelly replied as she lifted her drink tray and walked away.

“He’s definitely not my boyfriend yet,” I called as softly as I could manage. The wiggle of her head told me she heard.

Like I said, Kelly had been in love with the idea of love for as long as I’d known her. She’d never listened to me when I’d told her she should pour that energy and focus into something more productive. She simply liked men too much and was holding on until she found “the one.”

As for me, I hadn’t been looking at all. I’ll admit that for one brief moment, years ago, I’d gotten starry-eyed over someone, but I’d quickly learned that he wasn’t worth my time. After that, well, time had flown, and now I was busy enough working at the diner full-time, going to school online, and doing the bulk of caring for my family’s needs. I’d gone from not interested to having no time for romance. Obviously that’s when it had come calling.

Kelly returned with her empty drink tray at the same time I was passing an order through to the kitchen. “Maybe the guy destined for me is eating in the dining room right now.” She made an overly cheery face while clapping her hands silently under her chin.

“Doubtful.”

“Ah, there’s the glass-half-full Liv I love so well.”

I grinned. “You’ve already dated all the decent options, and flirted with the rest. But, as your best friend, I’ll do a subtle sweep while I take these orders out. Maybe someone new has wandered in.”

I did a quick perusal while hefting orders, hoping I could point someone out to Kelly and get her to stop analyzing my new situation. No dice. It was all the regulars today, which meant Kelly truly had already dated any of them who were under forty.

“Sorry, pal, no fresh meat today,” I said to Kelly when we were back together, filling drinks. “Maybe you should consider an older man. Scientifically speaking, men live shorter lives than women, so you could at least get some rich widow time out of the deal.”

“How dare you. I’m in my prime and I’m not settling for anything less.” She playfully pouted. “More important, no one in this town is rich.” We shoulder bumped, which was what we did when we couldn’t laugh out loud but wanted to. After a second of amusement, she stopped and chewed her lip while her eyes went dreamy. The minute she glazed out on me I braced myself for what I knew she would say. She didn’t disappoint. “I haven’t dated Connor, and he’s here, in the corner booth.”

I filled a cup with ice and started some cola running into it. “You do not want to date Connor Hunt.” I said the same thing every time.

“Yes, I do.”

“Kelly, you do not. You know exactly why. He’s got a terrible reputation. Breaking hearts, flirting, toying with people. Who knows what else he does that no one sees?” I placed the filled cup on a tray and started another.

“All while twisting his waxed mustache and watching old ladies try to cross the road alone. I know, I know.” Kelly slid in next to me and got a mug to fill. My lip raised slightly on the side she couldn’t see. I really did love her comebacks.

“You joke, but we’ve been hearing about the awful things he does for years,” I stated.

“I know, Liv. I’m the one who told you half of the gossip. Still, he’s actually good-looking and has a steady job. I’m not picky.”

“Those two things may be true, but they don’t undo all the other stuff. Be pickier.”

“I’ve been flirting my socks off for at least two months, and I think he’s finally ready for me to play my cards.”

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