Page 17 of Keeping the Single Dad
I signed the contract. The conference room erupted into a hub of activity as people got up to congratulate me.
Melissa flashed me a tight smile as she held her palm out. “Did I pass your test?”
I shook her hand, her skin smooth against mine. “Test?”
“All those questions?”
“I apologize. That was something to…get to know who I’m going to be working with.”
Melissa’s green eyes met mine. “Good luck with joining the club.” She studied me thoughtfully, reached into her jacket and withdrew a business card. She put it flat on the table and scribbled something on the back. “Please call me if you have any more questions.” She fiddled with her briefcase, a faint rose flush coloring her cheekbones. “My personal number is on the back.”
She nodded and headed stiffly to the door. She didn’t move the way her sister did. Lana moved like an athlete, sleek and confident. Filthy images from last night filled my mind. Lana lying on the bed, bare and trembling with anticipation. I could almost hear the little gasps she’d made when I’d been between her deliciously toned thighs.
Spicy cologne filled my nose as Gabe leaned in to whisper. “If you’re going to flirt with my staff, how about doing it on your own time and not in the middle of a contract meeting?”
My spine stiffened. “I wasn’t flirting.”
“I should hope not.” Teasing laughter danced in his bright eyes. “Let me give you some advice. If you’re interested, keep the questions to a minimum. No woman wants to feel like she’s a contestant on a quiz show. Just ask her out for coffee.”
My jaw tensed. “That wasn’t flirting.”
Gabe chuckled and patted me on the back to guide me out of the conference room. “Good, because I don’t know what that was. But if that’s your flirt game, we’re going to need to do some work.”
Chapter 9
Lana
Idrainedmylemonadeand reached for my coat.
Skylar’s eyebrows shot up. “What? No. You have to stay for one more.”
“I need an early night. I’m behaving myself. Claire is on my balls.”
Skylar chuckled and smoothed a hand over her lilac hair. “Claire is always on everyone’s balls.”
Animated conversation and music filled my ears. The pub was livening up. It was a good vibe but I couldn’t shake this tense, nervous energy. The one-night stand I never wanted to see again was signing for the club, and I still had Karen Delaney’s threats hanging over me. Melissa expected me to sort it out, but how? I couldn’t sell out my teammates. Anxiety gnawed at my gut. What the hell was I supposed to do? Burying my head in the sand wouldn’t cut it.
Skylar glanced at her watch. “I’m going to have another. I need to enjoy my last few weeks of single life.”
“Getting cold feet?”
She laughed. “Never.”
?“I’m never getting married.” I mock shuddered. “A man can tie me to the bedposts, but not the kitchen sink.”
“It’s not the 1950s. Reece loves it when I go out and have fun.” She hitched a sardonic brow. “As long as it doesn’t involve him.”
“And you’re happy with that? The two of you are quite...” I paused looking for the most diplomatic way to phrase it. “…different.”
Skylar had been a new person since she’d shacked up with the former team psychologist. I didn’t get it. He was reserved and bookish, and Skylar was popular and outgoing. On the surface, they were incompatible. How he’d locked down a woman like Skylar was anybody’s guess. He must have a huge dick. One of those ‘geek in the streets, freak in the sheets’ type. It was the only viable explanation.
Skylar sipped her drink, thoughtfully. “I’m into gardening now. Reece has been teaching me.”
I patted my mouth in an exaggerated yawn. “Sorry, I fell asleep. Were you saying something?”
She laughed. “No. I’m serious. It’s fun. Gardening is great exercise.”
“There are better ways to exercise with your fiancé.”
