All Fired Up (DreamMakers) (7 page)

“Bullcrap,” Suz retorted. “You’re a pansy when it comes to breakups. Remember in senior year when you wanted to dump Mike the Maggot? It took you
three
weeks to gather the courage, then you did it by shoving a note into his locker.” A pause. “Hey, can I see your phone for a sec? My battery died and I want to check my email.”

Distracted, Lynn slid her iPhone across the table and continued to try to catch the waitress’s attention. She finally succeeded, gesturing to their glasses and signaling for another round of shots. Lynn turned back in time to see Suz hold the phone up triumphantly.

“It’s dialing,” she declared.

Her friend’s barely restrained smirk sparked panic in Lynn’s gut. “What? What did you do?”

She snatched the phone, her frantic gaze landing on the screen to discover Suz had called Phil. Lynn was about to jam a finger on the
end
button when Phil’s voice came out of the speaker.

“Hello, Lynn. I was about to call you.”

With a murderous glare, she covered the mouthpiece and snapped at her best friend. “Unacceptable! I’ll get you for this, Susanna Lorraine Jones. Mark my words!”

Suz sighed. “Look, if you don’t want to answer, fine. But you deserve so much better than him.”

Her annoyance dissolved at the sincerity in her friend’s expression. With a sigh of her own, she brought the phone to her ear, catching the tail end of Phil’s remark. The asshole hadn’t even noticed she hadn’t said hello yet.

“—important lunch meeting. Otherwise I would have come down to have lunch with you.”

“Oh, don’t worry,” she cut in. “I was busy myself. I wouldn’t have been able to see you, anyway.”

“Are you still working on the digital do-hickey?” Phil sounded suspicious. “I thought we decided it was a waste of time.”

Her jaw tensed. “No,
you
decided my program was a waste of time, but you’re not an expert in formatting.”

Across the table, Suz was gaping at her, which made Lynn realize now was not the time to argue about
work
.

“But it’s not the program that kept me busy,” she said stiffly. “I had a very enlightening day, Phil. See, I was taking a stroll on the third floor, just happened to walk by a supply closet, and you’ll
never
guess who I saw coming out of it.”

Phil went quiet.

Suz snorted.

“Look…Lynn…” Phil spoke again, his tone lined with wariness. “I don’t know where you’re going with this—”

“Oh, you don’t? I guess I’ll have to make myself more clear—you were fooling around with another woman.” The bold accusation startled even her. She wasn’t usually so direct, at least not when it came to relationship conflicts.

“That’s categorically untrue! Look, I don’t know what Alana told you, but she’s clearly lying.”

Alana?

As realization dawned, Lynn couldn’t muster up any more anger. Rather, a hysterical laugh bubbled in her throat before spilling out as the sheer absurdity of the situation sank in. She’d thought he was cheating on her with two women, and it turned out to be
three
? The man was ambitious, she had to give him that.

“Actually, I was referring to Sylvia,” Lynn answered, “but it’s good to know you’re also seeing Alana. Maybe the two of them and Dana could form a little club.”

Another snort from Suz.

Phil wasn’t nearly as amused. “We need to meet in person to discuss this, Lynn. Because the second you look into my eyes and see the truth reflected back, you’ll know whatever lies you’ve been hearing are simply that—
lies
. I’m with
you
, sugarplum. I love
you
.” No mistaking the note of desperation that entered his voice. “I’ve got something extra special all lined up. This Saturday—a completely out-of-this-world experience just for you.”

“It’s no use, Phil. I’ve had enough.”

“I’m serious, sweetie. Please, don’t be hasty or irrational, okay? If you don’t want to see me tonight, or even tomorrow, at least come out with me on Saturday. Once you see what I planned, you’ll know how I feel about you. You’ll know you’re the only one for me.”

“Sorry, I’m not free this Saturday. Or the Saturday after that, or the one after that.” A wave of sadness washed over her as it sunk in she’d wasted five months on this man. “Actually, when it comes to you, my calendar is completely booked up. Monday to Friday, weekends, even leap day—you’re out of luck.”

“Lynn—”

“We’re through, Phil. I’ll still see you at work, but that’s all it’s going to be. Work.”

With that, she disconnected the call.

“Holy shit,” Suz breathed, her gaze alight with wonder. “You’re a rock star, Lynn Davidson. A frickin’
rock star
.”

She had to admit, she was pretty pleased with herself. A celebration was in order, and as if the universe had read her mind, the waitress chose that exact moment to return with their shots.

Suz wasted no time reaching for hers and raising it in the air. “To my BFF, for finally seeing the light!”

Rolling her eyes, she picked up her own glass and clinked it with Suz’s. They slugged back their shooters, Lynn shivering as the alcohol seared a path down her throat and warmed her insides. Her entire body felt lighter, as if a load had been lifted off her shoulders. She hadn’t realized until this very moment how unhappy she’d been in her relationship with Phil, but now that it was over, her world felt right again.

Unwittingly, her gaze traveled to the two sexy men across the bar. Their heads were bent in conversation, but the second she glanced over, Parker’s broad shoulders tensed, as if he sensed her stare.

He slowly raised his head, and a shiver of desire shimmied up her spine.

“Okay, enough is enough,” Suz declared. “You can’t keep eye-fucking the guy all night. We’re inviting them over.”

Lynn hesitated.

“Oh, don’t give me that look. You know you want to.”

Before Lynn could voice an objection, Suz thrust her arm in the air, flashed a grin across the room, and gestured for Parker and his friend to join them.

Simultaneous bursts of panic and anticipation went off in Parker’s gut as Lynn’s friend gave an enthusiastic wave in his and Dean’s direction. No way to misinterpret her intentions—she was all but holding up a big neon sign that said
join us
!

Sometimes it was necessary to make contact with a mark in order to gather information, but he worried that if they went over there, he wouldn’t be able to stop himself from ogling Lynn. Or flirting with her. Or, God forbid, charming his way right into her panties.

So he stayed put, his fingers tightening around his beer bottle.

Except Dean had other ideas. The dark-haired man was already hopping to his feet, shooting Parker a devilish smile. “Can’t keep the ladies waiting.”

“You go,” he said in a strained voice. “Tell them I had to take off.”

“That would just be awkward, bro. I mean,
you
were the one who was yoga’ing the shit out of them yesterday.”

Parker blinked. “Did you really just use yoga as a verb?”

“Are you really going to wimp out and leave? Why can’t you—oh.” Realization dawned on Dean’s face. “You’re worried you might hit on her.” When Parker didn’t answer, his buddy snorted. “You’re a big boy, Wilson. I’m sure you can keep it in your pants for one night. And if you really feel the need to flirt, then flirt with the blonde. So get off your ass and chat up some pretty girls with me.”

Before Parker could respond, his friend was gone.

Fuckin’ hell.

He had no choice but to slide off his stool and trail after Dean or risk coming off like an antisocial prick, but there was no enthusiasm in his gait. He breathed slowly through his nose, trying to remind himself this was a job. Lynn Davidson wasn’t a gorgeous brunette he was walking over to mack on. She was the potential fiancée of a client, and he couldn’t screw this up by allowing his libido to interfere with the objective.

The closer they got, the tenser he became, and by the time he and Dean had reached the women’s table, Parker’s shoulders were stiffer than two-by-fours. He’d forgotten how mesmerizing her eyes were. Pale blue crystals, sparkling with intelligence and mischief.

“You again,” she said in greeting, tilting her head with a faint smile. “Small world, huh?”

“Naah,” Lynn’s friend Suz spoke up in disagreement. “I know exactly what this is. Clearly he’s stalking us.”

Parker’s breath hitched, but her tinkling laughter quickly eased the panic in his chest.

“You saw us in our yoga gear and became infatuated, didn’t you, Parker?” Suz prompted.

He recovered with a crooked smile. “You got me. That’s exactly what happened.”

“And can you blame him?” Dean piped up. “I’m picturing the two of you in yoga gear right now and I must say, it makes a damn appealing picture.” He turned to Parker with an expectant look. “You gonna introduce us or what?”

Right. Because Dean wasn’t supposed to know who they were, Parker remembered.

“Dean, this is Lynn, and Suz. Ladies, my buddy Dean.” He rolled his eyes. “Be careful around this guy—thinks he’s God’s gift to women, and there is a ninety-five percent chance he’ll try to seduce one or both of you.”

“Ninety-five percent?” Dean echoed. “Nuh-uh, bro. It’s definitely a hundred.”

Suz laughed in delight, not seeming the slightest bit insulted by the candid remark. “Give it your best shot, honey.” She patted the stool next to her. “In fact, have a seat so we can get started. I can’t wait to hear your seduction pitch.”

Dean wasted no time plopping down beside the curvy blonde, which left the one available stool next to Lynn.

Parker gulped. He was scared to get any closer. He could already smell the faintest hint of flowery shampoo and the sweet fragrance of orange blossoms, and he feared if he breathed her in fully, he’d never get her out of his system.

Then again, who was he kidding? She was already
in
his system. Really, really deep in there.

And what he wanted was to be really deep in her.

“So what have you ladies been up to since we last ran into each other?” He used his most conversational tone as he finally lowered himself onto the tall stool next to Lynn’s.

“Tons of fun stuff,” Suz answered for both of them. She flashed a grin at her friend. “Tell them the good news.”

Lynn shrugged, and Parker didn’t miss the way she shifted awkwardly.

“She’s officially on the market again,” Suz announced when Lynn didn’t speak. “Single and lovin’ it, right, hon?”

An entire unspoken conversation occurred in the brief look Parker exchanged with Dean. And the loudest and most important of all his thoughts kept repeating over and over.

She’s not with Shotelle anymore?

Parker’s mind was running a million miles a minute, working through the implications of this latest development. If Lynn was no longer dating Shotelle, that meant…

Christ, that meant he’d just been handed the equivalent of a winning lottery ticket.

“Breakups can be tough,” he commiserated. “Are you okay?” It took every ounce of willpower to mask his joy and try to sound suitably sympathetic.

“I’m fine.” She smiled at him. “Truth is, I wasn’t happy in the relationship. I’m actually glad it’s over.”

“What about you?” Dean asked, shifting his attention to Suz. “Got a boyfriend, or are you single and lovin’ it?”

Suz licked her lips. “What do you think?”

Dean licked his lips right back. “I think we need to order some shots.”

Another laugh escaped the blonde’s lips, only it was cut short by a loud chime. “Hold that thought. I need to check this.”

She reached for the bright purple purse hanging off the back of her stool, rummaged around inside it, and finally emerged with a cell phone.

One glance at the screen, and Suz lit up like a Christmas tree. “Oh hell, yeah.” Her expression suddenly creased as she turned to Lynn. “Please don’t kill me, but I might have to leave right away.”

Lynn narrowed her eyes. “You
might
have to leave, or you’re leaving?”

Suz heaved out a sigh. “Tony just flew in. He’s got a five-hour layover.” Her green eyes gleamed as she checked her phone again. “Ooooh, and his copilot Diego is with him. Those poor, poor boys. They’re so very bored.”

“Thought you didn’t have a boyfriend.” Dean wagged his finger at the blonde.

Suz batted her eyelashes in his direction. “I don’t. But I do have a standing arrangement with a very skilled pilot who I only get to see a couple times a year, so…” With a what-can-you-do shrug, she rose to her feet and focused on her friend again, her expression growing more serious. She leaned in close to Lynn’s ear, but spoke loud enough Parker easily overheard. “You okay getting yourself home?”

A rude noise escaped Lynn’s perfect red lips. “Yes, Mom. I think I can handle it.”

“Under any other circumstances I wouldn’t bail on you, you know that, right, babe?”

When Parker glanced up, he expected to find annoyance clouding Lynn’s face, but she looked more amused than upset.

“Oh, go,” she said with the wave of her hand. “I know how much these bi-yearly layovers mean to you, you brat.”