by Kelly Moran
He was bored out of his skull. He and Parker had been rooted to their spots for the past hour, and Jason couldn’t find a valid reason to hang around other than bro time. And that was wearing thin. He wondered what in the hell was wrong with him that not a solitary female in the joint looked interesting. Last occasion that had happened had been…
Well, never.
“She’s pretty.”
He followed Parker’s gaze across the room to the pine bar where a smiling blonde bombshell waved from a stool. Mindy. Or Maggie? Maxie, perhaps. Didn’t matter. They’d had a few nights together last summer, rendering her off-limits.
“Uh huh.” He took a pull from his beer, dropping eye contact so she wouldn’t get the mistaken conception there would be a round two.
“What’s her name?”
He offered Parker a droll side-glance. “Ask me a question I can answer.”
Parker barked a laugh. “You hooked up with her before, right? You can’t remember her name?”
“If you sleep with a girl and forget the details—” like her name “—then she’s not The One.” Not that Jason was altruistic enough to believe there was one person out there for everyone. Hell, he really didn’t think soul mates and true love actually existed. Greeting card companies and chocolate factories and jewelry stores had been making a mint off the notion regardless. All the power to ‘em. “Do you see me with her now? Nope. There you go.”
“Hold on a sec.” Parker leaned across the table and brushed the front of Jason’s tee. “Better. Your asshole-ness was showing.”
He tilted his head and glared at the ceiling. It was a better view than the patrons or Parker’s exposition. “I’m up front and honest with them from the starting gate. They were all fully capable adult females who made their own decisions.”
“If you say so. And what was wrong with her?” Parker elaborated for Jason’s benefit when he whipped his best bud a puzzled glare. “The gorgeous blonde over there who’s been trying to get your attention? According to you, they all have something wrong with them to make you lose interest.”
Aside from sheer tedium? His theory since losing his virginity at sixteen to Julie Prescott before Homecoming behind the empty bleachers had always been this… If, after two weeks, he looked forward to seeing said woman again, or if she made him laugh, or could carry a conversation with something more dense than a colander, then he’d consider a relationship. In all his thirty years on this Earth, he could count on one hand the number of times that had happened. In those instances, he’d moved onto following his motto, which was to find a flaw and focus on it until he couldn’t see past it. The rest took care of itself.
In the end, he was still single by choice and because there wasn’t a woman in existence who could change his mind. Both stronger and lesser men than him had been dragged down the dank, dark hidey hole of love and never resurfaced. Damn if he’d be one of them.
“Make fun of me all you like. I’m free to do what I want, when I want, with whomever I want.” He shrugged. “And I’m not losing my marbles in the process. Relationships are a trap.”
“Bullshit.” Parker nudged his glass of single malt aside. “Life is empty without them.”
“Lifetime called. They want their movie of the week back.”
A grin, and Parker reclined in his seat, crossing one ankle over the other. “I’m secure in my manhood enough to admit that when I find the right woman, you can bet I’ll hold onto her with both hands. Strength comes from submitting to and admitting feelings.”
Jason rolled his eyes so hard his retinas all but detached. “When a person sees someone attractive to them, their eyes dilate twenty percent. Their brain floods with dopamine, which makes them happy. Thus, they believe it’s love. That’s a medical fact. Love doesn’t exist.”
“You sad, sad little man.” Parker shook his head, grin on I-know-something-you-don’t mode. “I cannot wait for the day you fall. At least being a firefighter you’re also trained as an EMT. You can give yourself your own stitches after you faceplant. And you will fall, my man.”
“Whatever, you sap.”
“I’m not the next sucker on the Battleaxes’ hit list.”
Ugh. Good point. “I can handle whatever nonsense they throw at me. I don’t have to play their game.”
“Really?” Parker’s brows disappeared into his hairline. “Find a home for the kitten yet?”
“Shut up.” Unable to help it, Jason laughed and wiped a hand over his face.
They went back to a comfortable silence for a stretch, and he thought about calling it a night. He was off tomorrow, but he hadn’t caught up on much sleep this weekend. As he opened his mouth to say just that, his gaze landed on a brunette as she leaned over the counter to talk to the bartender.
Well, well. If it wasn’t Ella Sinclair. He smiled. Her back was to his table, but that hair was a dead giveaway to her identity, as were those curves. Jeans, knee-high black boots, and a gray sweater that hit mid-thigh. For the first time all evening, his blood stirred, heating his veins.
He’d never seen her in here before and she’d said last night she didn’t get out much. She seemed to know Emma Jane behind the bar, judging by the convo. She passed a grocery bag to Emma Jane and then offered a casual wave.
“Who’s that?”
“Ella Sinclair.” Without taking his eyes off her, Jason waited for her to turn around so he could call her over. “She helped me pick out cat crap last night since I couldn’t find a home for the furball. Set it up and everything. Moved into the complex across the street about three years ago, but she grew up outside of the Ridge with an aunt and uncle after her folks died.”
Parker leaned forward as if suddenly interested. “Where did you meet?”
“The event committee sent her by with my tux for the auction.”
Parker choked on his scotch, coughing violently. “You don’t say.”
Regrettably, Jason turned his head to look at his friend, curious about the reaction. “Yeah, really. Why?”
“The Battleaxes sought you out at the vet clinic to wheedle you into doing the bachelor auction.”
He frowned. “I know. I was there.” He was still peeved over that one.
“And you were suddenly unable to find a home for the rescued kitten.”
“Uh huh.” Damn busybodies had arranged that particular problem.
“When low and behold, a lovely woman from the event committee shows up with your tux for the aforementioned auction.”
“Yes, glad to see basic communication carried over from Freshman English. What is your point?” The man better get to it soon or Jason might miss Ella’s exit. He glanced her way and back to Parker, relieved to note she was still at the bar.
“The Battleaxes are on the Event Committee, yes?” Parker answered before Jason could even hesitantly nod. “Yes, they are. I’m willing to bet that woman over there just so happens to coincidentally know a thing or two about cats. Am I right?”
Jason opened his mouth and swiftly shut it again.
Shit. Double shit. How had he missed the connection last night?
“She,” Parker emphasized by pointing, “is your perfect match. According to the Battleaxes, anyway. Hate to say it, but they haven’t been wrong yet. Hook, line, and sinker. You took the bait and are reeling yourself in as we speak.”
Triple shit. Jason pinched the bridge of his nose, denial hanging on by the fingernails. “Give me a break. She couldn’t be any more wrong for me.”
“How so?”
“She’s…wholesome.” He waved his hand, trying to formulate his rampant thoughts into words. “Every cell screams she wants a home and commitment and family. Besides, she doesn’t take risks and people scare her.”
Parker nodded, his expression dialed to thank-you-for-proving-me-right. “Ever meet her before yesterday?”
“No.”
“And you gleaned all that info about her after one night? A night, I may add, where you didn’t have sex.” H
is soon-to-be former best friend jerked his thumb to the other side of the bar. “What’s the blonde’s name again? Tell me a personality trait or anything about her, other than her bra size and color.”
Jason narrowed his eyes, jaw clenched.
“Exactly.” Parker tilted his head, stupid grin getting stupider. “You remembered Ella’s name. First and last.”
“Means nothing.” She was interesting and cute and he’d liked hanging out with her. That, in no way, implied…
“You can name your first born son after me. And yes, I’d be honored to be your best man.”
Head pounding, Jason glared. “Know what’s red and bad for your teeth?”
“No, what?”
“A brick. Now shut up.” To calm down, Jason glanced at the bar and let out a long exhale to find Ella walking toward the exit. Finally, someone he wanted to talk to.
He called her name, and she turned. After a beat, she looked behind her as if he’d been seeking someone else. He’d met her but twenty-four hours ago, and that was the third time she’d seemed surprised by him acknowledging interest or her presence.
“Yes, you. Come here.”
Slowly, she made her way over and gripped the back of an empty chair across the table. “Hi, guys. What do you need?”
Eager beaver to offer services, wasn’t she? It sorta pissed him off she’d automatically jumped to the conclusion the only reason he’d sought her out was because he’d needed something.
“Just wanted to say hello. Anything wrong with that?”
“No, no. That’s very nice. It makes sense now that we’ve met to say hi. That’s the polite thing to do, isn’t it? It’s a small town. We’re bound to run into one another. Might be weird if we don’t talk. Manners are good.”
Annnd, he still rendered her anxious. What was it about him that made her feel threatened? “Would you care to join us?” At her confused expression, he tried a different approach. Perhaps she was just off balance having never met the sheriff. “Ella, this is Parker, my friend. For the moment,” he emphasized. “Parker, Ella.”
Amusement curved Parker’s lips. “Great to see you again.”
“Ditto.” Her amber eyes smiled before her mouth caught up. “I was just bringing Emma Jane the sweatshirt her daughter left at school. How’s Katie?”
“A little spitfire, but otherwise well.”
“Pretty normal behavior for a six-year-old.”
“Word. Kids, right?”
A laugh. “Exactly.”
Jason darted his attention between them until his head felt like a ping-pong ball at a rehab center for addicts. First, how did Ella know Parker’s niece, Katie? Second, they seemed awfully friendly for two people who’d never met. Third, why didn’t Parker’s presence make her ramble endlessly like Jason’s did? Fourth, she smiled and laughed too readily in Parker’s presence for Jason’s comfort. Or sanity. Or tolerance. And fifth…they were completely ignoring him like he wasn’t sitting right here wondering WTF was going on.
Agitation pounded his temples and his eye twitched. “You two know one another?”
“Yup.” Parker shifted in his seat as if put out by the interruption. “Ella was Katie’s teacher last year. Or should I still call you Miss Sinclair?” He winked at her. Winked!
She…laughed. “I think Ella is fine, thanks.”
Jason slapped his palm to the tabletop and eyed Parker. “Why did you ask me her name if you knew her?” On very friendly terms.
Parker lazily blinked. “I was testing a theory.”
He was testing Jason’s patience.
“Which you proved correct. By the way, the blonde’s name is Morgan. She’s a real estate agent. It pays to be the sheriff. I know everyone. You spell mine P-A-R-K-E-R. Thought it was worth mentioning so you get it right on the future offspring’s birth certificate.”
“Er,” Ella hedged. “I’m gonna go. You seem to be in the middle of something.”
“Please don’t.” Jason refocused on her for the sake of sanity, and kicked the remaining chair away from the table. “Have a seat. You’d be saving this one’s life and me from a homicide charge.”
Her forehead wrinkled in that adorable way it often did when she was baffled. “I thought you were friends.”
Parker grinned. “The best of, actually. Inseparable since we were in diapers. I’m going to be the best man at his wedding soon.”
Her eyes rounded on Jason. “I didn’t know you were engaged.”
“I’m not,” he ground through his teeth.
“Denial is his favorite mode of self-defense.”
Jason forced his lips to form a smile. His jaw cracked with the effort. “What he means is, I’m going to be the pallbearer at his funeral. Tomorrow.” He dragged a breath into his lungs. “Sit, sweetheart. Join us.”
Hesitantly, she parked her amazing round ass across from him and wrung her fingers. “Just for a moment. I have to get home.”
Bet she didn’t. “Netflix?”
Blushing, she ducked her face. “Yes.”
“Solve the show’s mystery yet?”
“Not quite.” A fond smile, and she lifted her gaze to his. “This one has me stumped.”
She couldn’t get any more endearing if she climbed out of Grimm’s book and twirled on her toes with a magic wand or glass slippers. “You’ll get it, Scooby. I have faith.” He brought her discussion with Parker to mind and idly ran his fingers up and down his bottle. “You’re a teacher?”
“Kindergarten.”
Yep. That cemented it. She was a ginormous no in the dating department. What a shame. And he should’ve figured it out before now with her delightful non-curses and overall sweetness, just like he should’ve known she was the “match” the Battleaxes had “picked” for him due to all the coincidences.
“Wholesome, indeed.” Parker coughed behind his fist. It failed to hide his grin. “I’ll get the suture kit ready. Faceplant in five, four, three…”
Confusion shifted her features again.
Jason ran his tongue over his teeth. “Don’t mind him. He can’t admit when he’s wrong.”
“And he likes to avoid this thing called reality or accept the inevitable.”
“Ella, would you like a drink?” Jason downed the last of his and flagged a waitress. When she made her way over, he pointed to his bottle. “Another of these for me, and a scotch for him. Extra arsenic this time. Ella?”
“Nothing for me, thank you.” She watched the waitress walk away, then smiled tentatively at him. “I forgot to have you try on your tux last night. The mayor will kill me if it needs alterations and I didn’t give her plenty of notice.”
“Tried it out this morning. It fits. No worries.”
“Good,” she said through a sigh. “I also don’t know what days you’d like me to check in on Storm. I’d hate to use the key when I’m not needed or I interrupt…something.”
Parker held up his hand. “She has a key to your place?”
“To feed the cat,” Jason clarified in annoyance and refocused on her. “I can give you my schedule a week in advance, but sometimes I wind up staying late with emergencies.”
She nodded and pulled a cell from her purse. “You can text me if something comes up. What’s your number?”
He grinned. “9-1-1.”
“Sweet Lord,” Parker mumbled and looked toward the bar. “Emma Jane! We need some crackers over here to go with all this cheese!” He waggled his fingers, indicating he wanted Ella’s phone.
She passed it to him.
“Here’s his digits. Godspeed to you. I don’t know which of you I feel sorry for more.” He swiped Jason’s phone off the table and his thumbs went to work. “There you go.”
A moment later, Jason’s cell beeped a text. He waited to check it since it was an obvious introductory message from Ella’s phone.
Clearing her throat, she rose from her seat with a smile. “Just text when you think you might need me. Er, when Storm needs me.” Nervous laugh. �
��Of course, you don’t need me. The kitten does.” She pushed her chair in, avoiding his gaze. “And thank you.”
“For what? You’re the one helping me out.”
She chanced a peek at him and away. “For remembering my name.”
He watched her leave and wondered what in God’s name that meant. He might be a dickhead sometimes, but they’d been together just last night. He’d have to be mental to forget her that quickly, and she wasn’t even in the same realm as forgettable.
Picking up his phone, he glanced at the screen and the text Parker had sent from her number.
Oh, for the love of all that was holy.
Jason whipped the screen around to show Parker. “What are you, fifteen years old? You programmed her in my phone as My Perfect Match?”
Parker shrugged. “You seem slow on the uptake.”
Chapter 6
Ella took one last look at herself in her bathroom’s full-length mirror before heading back to the Botanical Gardens for the Charity Ball. She’d been there all day helping set up and decorate, and she’d only run home to change for the festivities since it was a formal event.
She’d had the outfit picked for two weeks, but had no idea why she was suddenly questioning it. The black silk pants were fitted in the waist and thighs, then flared below the knee for style. It was hard for her to walk in heels higher than an inch, and the black pump flats dressed up the look just enough. Besides, she was pretty tall without adding more height. Her shirt was a silver swoop neck with sequins at the cuffs and hem. She’d left her hair down and put on a bit more makeup than her norm, which wasn’t much. Any more and she’d feel like a clown.
A sigh, and she glanced at Xena by her feet. “No one’s going to notice me, anyway. I don’t know why I’m worrying this much.”
Al-yi-yi.
“You’re right. I should just go.” Without a backward glance, she snatched her only formal black purse off the bed and headed out.
Quite a few attendees were already mingling when she arrived. Not enough to have her heart racing yet, but it gave her time to slowly acclimate. Large crowds tended to be overwhelming.