Husband Hunting 101 (3 page)

"It's a classy place," Zack said sincerely. "And you have a good location so you probably get walk-in customers as well as return ones."

"I manage," she said with a sly smile. "A couple of large companies have approached me about franchising, but I prefer a more personal, intimate atmosphere. It's more unique. And I think the customers enjoy the individual attention I give them."

"If your shop's doing so well, why change your ad?"

"Well, like I said, some people think I only sell window treatments, and a lot of people come in just to look." Jenna glanced around the store. "Besides, it's always nice to expand your clientele. Change is good."

"That's what my dad always says about his wives. But at least he married them one at a time."

Jenna rolled her eyes.

"Uh, sorry," Zack mumbled, wondering what on earth made him bring
that
subject up again.

"So, now that you've seen the store, are you still interested?" Jenna asked.

Zack desperately tried to tamp down the urge to say yes, that he was interested. But not in her store, in her. "Yes, of course."

He couldn't help but admire Jenna's business sense. She wasn't simply attractive, she was smart. Simone's idea of ambition had been to have her nails and hair done on the same day.

A man who'd just come in pointed to a table filled with lotions and bubble baths. "Miss, I need some help over here."

"I'll be right there." Jenna tapped the gift box. "Well, I hope Simone enjoys the robe, Zack. Just give me a call when you put together some ideas. Thanks for stopping by."

Jenna dismissed him in a business-like voice, then rushed over to the dark-haired man. Zack watched her help the man select a jasmine fragrance, then a slinky blue silk gown—sophisticated but sexy. One of the gray-haired women held a basket filled with soaps and enough sprays to make her smell like a garden.

Zack shoved his package under his arm and headed for the door. Jenna wanted to expand her clientele? It seemed like a pretty diverse group to him. He'd have to give some thought to the ads she wanted and to what she specifically had in mind. What would he draw?

Something tasteful—hmm. That would be Jenna in one of those lacy bodystockings. Or maybe wearing nothing but that rose-scented spray. Now that would be tasty.

Sighing, he rubbed his face with his hands and opened the door. He had to stop these errant thoughts. Jenna obviously wanted a husband, and he couldn't help her with that.

But he could help her with an ad campaign. He'd concentrate on business and keep their relationship professional. No strings, no personal involvement.

Let her find some sucker in her silly Husband Hunting class. He was one guy who wasn't giving up his bachelorhood—not for any woman.

* * *

Jenna fanned her face as the evening heat tilled the shop. In spite of the killer summers, she still loved Atlanta. Yet, even with the air conditioning running full blast, perspiration dampened her forehead. Laughing softly, she silently admitted her uncomfortable state had more to do with Zack West than the soaring temperature outside.

He'd waltzed in, all six feet, four inches, and overpowered her little store. But that was nothing compared to how he'd looked standing next to all these fragile, silky underthings. Her imagination had gone berserk. She only hoped he hadn't noticed. Then again, why would he?

He was broken-hearted over the woman who'd dumped him. The crazy female. Poor guy. He must really be taking it hard. Coupled with his past, he'd sworn off marriage completely. Just her luck.

She'd been momentarily relieved to discover he and Simone had broken up. The woman had been stitched to his side at Mark's wedding like a too-tight shirt. Then Zack had made his announcement—
I'm never getting married.

A commitment-shy guy.

Fiddlesticks.

She finished clearing the cash register, yanked down the shade on her window, and switched the open sign to closed. She had to forget about Zachary West, except where business was concerned, because she was
definitely
getting married.

She glanced at the bouquet she'd caught at Casey's wedding. It had been a sign that it was time for her to get serious about finding a serious relationship.

At twenty-seven, her biological clock was ticking away like a hyperactive cuckoo clock. She had to find a husband before time wound down.

Her best friend, Casey McIntyre had recently married a great guy and they were off on their honeymoon. And her friend and co-worker Angel Honeycutt, had found someone, and now she was pregnant.

Jenna sighed, anxious for a family of her own.

She'd been attracted to Zack the minute she'd seen him at Mark's wedding. Before the ceremony, Mark had told her stories about Zack going through women like some men went through socks. Jenna had imagined Zack looking like Mark, short and stocky with curly dark hair.

But then Zack had walked up to her at the wedding and nearly knocked her off her high heels with his sexy eyes—eyes the color of caramel candy.

His long, sandy-blond hair brushed the ends of his collar and made her want to run her hands through it. His smile had a mischievous glint to it that hinted of the devil. He also liked children. At Mark's reception, Zack had tossed someone's toddler over his shoulder and given him a piggyback ride across the lawn.

Too bad the hunk had sworn off marriage.

Her hand automatically flew to her hair. She pushed it behind her ear and felt her hearing aid. Slipping the small piece from her ear, she checked the batteries. She wanted to make sure the device didn't die on her in the middle of class—Husband Hunting 101, Zack had called it. Well, he could laugh all he wanted. She intended to go to the class, and she didn't want to miss anything important the instructor might say.

This class would help her learn skills to seek out the right kind of man, the type of man who also wanted marriage. She might even meet someone interesting in the class.

Quickly replacing the hearing aid, she grabbed her purse. Whomever she found would have to deal with her hearing loss. It would take someone special, but her father had always told her if she wanted something to go for it. And she
wanted
a family. There had to be someone out there for her.

She stuffed a brand-new spiral notebook and a pencil under her arm and hurried out the door. She might not find a husband through the class, but at least it was a start. And it would keep her mind off the sexy man she'd just hired to write her ad campaign.

The irresistible,
unavailable,
Zack West.

Chapter 2

Fifteen minutes later, Jenna straightened her skirt, smoothed the wrinkles from her jacket and walked into Room 101. Ironic that the numbers matched Zack's little joke about Husband Hunting 101. She scanned the room—several women, four men.

So, men actually signed up for the class. She'd have to tell smug Zachary West
that
the next time he came into the shop.

Sliding into an empty chair, Jenna opened her notebook and took out her newly sharpened pencil. It had been ages since she'd been in a classroom. In high school, she'd felt uncomfortable at first, attending a regular school, always afraid her hearing aid would fail, afraid she wouldn't fit in, afraid the guys wouldn't like her.

But Casey had befriended her, and her family had always encouraged her. Her big brother, Jeff, had been overprotective, but he'd also let her tag along with his friends, and she'd learned to be comfortable about her hearing impairment with guys. Odd, how just the scent of chalk on a chalkboard and the rough feel of the wooden desk beneath her dredged up those memories.

"Hello, class." A tall woman with white-gray hair teetered in, wearing three-inch heels. "My name is Heloise Barton."

Heloise's Helpful Household Hints
instantly came to mind. Had she branched out from ways to clean grout to how to add love to your life?

"We're going to get acquainted tonight, find out why we're all here, and talk about what we're looking for in a spouse," Heloise said.

A few of the women shifted nervously in their seats. Some of the men studied the ceiling, the walls, the floor. Two of them seemed infatuated with the toes of their shoes.

Heloise continued, "I know you may feel awkward at first, but as time goes on, we'll become friends. Now, let me tell you about myself. I'm fifty-six years old, was divorced for five years, and hated the singles scene. But I'm proud to say I recently married my daughter's OB-GYN."

Jenna's pulse raced, comforted by her statement. If it worked for this lady, it could work for her.

"Now, let's get acquainted by using a letter game. Say the first letter of your name and choose a word to describe yourself that starts with the same letter. For instance, I'm Happy Heloise."

Strained whispers filled the room, then Happy Heloise pointed to two women in the front row. Jenna guessed them to be in their forties. One wore a baggy gray sweat suit, the other leggings and a long spangled T-shirt. The first woman's mousy voice squeaked. "I'm Carol—Cooking Carol. I own a bakery."

The next woman seemed more confident. "I'm Daring Darla. I like to do adventurous activities like bungee jumping, white-water rafting, and mountain climbing."

A dark-haired woman about Jenna's age wearing a low-cut, blood-red dress that revealed very large breasts spoke next. Why was she here? She obviously wouldn't have any trouble meeting men. Jenna could suggest a good, sturdy bra to support those bosoms though.

"I'm Needs-a-lot-of-attention, Naomi," she said in a husky whisper. "At least that's what the guys tell me."

A wolf whistle broke out from somewhere behind Jenna.

The instructor pointed to two men. "Next."

The first man glanced at Jenna. His instant eyebrow raise and smile could have been just friendly or he could be the bed 'em and shed 'em type.

And she was tired of dating guys who wanted one-night stands. That was the reason she'd signed up for the class.

"My name is Morris Jones. Just call me Marvelous Morris."

Jenna rolled her eyes. And so modest.

The next man shifted nervously and rubbed one hand over the patches of gray hair scattered across his shiny head. "I... can I ask a question?"

The teacher nodded.

"What's the name of this class?"

Happy Heloise grinned. "How to Get Married Within a Year. Didn't you sign up for it, sir?"

The man's pudgy face broadened as his mouth fell into an "o."

"No, ma'am." He patted his balding head in a self-conscious gesture, lurched from his seat, and hurried out of the room.

Heloise shrugged. "He must be looking for Hair Growth Through Positive Thinking."

Chuckles filled the room then the introductions continued. "My name is Woodruff P. Nelson." The man's beard was so bushy Jenna couldn't tell what his face looked like beneath all that hair.

"And a word to describe you, Mr. Nelson?" Heloise asked.

Woolly.
It was on the top of Jenna's tongue to blurt it out, but she caught herself just in time.

The man scratched his fuzzy chin. "Wealthy."

A few of the women immediately turned their charming smiles toward the furry man. Then two more women burst into the room. One, a girl barely out of her teens; her mother a woman in her mid-thirties. The young girl's stylish haircut was obviously meant to make her look more mature, but the bubblegum she popped ruined the effect. The older woman's stiff, high hair reminded Jenna of a hornet's nest, and a very visible make-up line marred the edge of her neckline. They scooted into the back seats.

Heloise motioned to a set of identical twins, the first one dressed in a classic two piece business suit, the second in a conservative navy dress. "I'm Serious Sue."

The second one grinned. "And, I'm Practical Paula."

"Your turn, Red."

Jenna hadn't realized she'd been scribbling on her notepad during the conversation until the man behind her nudged her. When she realized she'd been doodling Zack's name, she instantly covered the page with her hand. "Uh... Jenna, just Jenna."