LITMIR.BIZ

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with instruments and other items for the kids she taught. At first glance, it looked like the vehicle of a soccer mom.

      “Thanks again, Mark.” She nodded politely, slipping into cordial professionalism as if she were at the end of a business meeting instead of a date.

      “Good night.” He leaned forward, folding himself lower to meet her lips.

      Curiosity led Serenity to let it happen. No spark. That sealed it for her. A second date wouldn’t be necessary.

      Confidently, Mark said, “Call you tomorrow,” as if he’d be doing her a favor. He slid his thumb across her cheek, winked and opened her door. At least he had some gentlemanly qualities.

      Mark was still standing beside her car after she’d closed her door, so she rolled down the window. He leaned into the opening. “Listen, we’re adults...” She thought she saw him lick his lips. “Why deny ourselves? It’s obvious that I like you and you like me.” Serenity resisted the urge to roll her eyes at the confident jut of his chin as he spoke. “How about I come with you? We’ll have another drink or two, and I’ll show you what a great lover I can be.”

      Serenity cut her eyes, rolled up the window and jabbed the keys into the ignition. Mark jumped back when she revved the engine. The tires screeched as she jammed the car into Reverse and pulled off. Halfway down the block, she called her best friend, business partner and coworker, Rayne Alexander, through the car’s Bluetooth system.

      “It’s over already?” Rayne’s voice boomed.

      “No more matchmaking. Promise me!” Serenity pointed as if Rayne were right in front of her.

      “Ha!” Rayne’s laugh was boisterous. “That bad, huh?”

      “Yes!” Serenity said, rolling her eyes.

      “De-tails!”

      “Mark Stapleton is quite fond of Mark Stapleton. This arrogant man invited himself to my house so he could show me what a great lover he could be. I’ve known him for what—” she looked at the clock on the dashboard “—three hours. Ugh!”

      “No!”

      “Oh, yes!”

      “What did you say?”

      “I let my tires do the talking.”

      “What a pig!”

      “Great minds...” Serenity realized she was speeding. Both her driving and her heart rate were accelerated. “And his love for himself is unnatural. In that short amount of time, I already know which name brands fit him best. He drives a Range Rover that he bought all-cash. He’s the best engineer his company has seen in decades. His employers didn’t actually say it, but that’s what he believes and felt compelled to share with me. That man’s arrogance is off the charts. When I told him I had to go home because of early appointments, he was clearly annoyed. You should have seen his face twist when he thought I had kids. Let’s just say we’re not compatible.”

      “Shame! He’s so damn good-looking!”

      “I won’t deny that. But I need more than a gorgeous face. How about a man that I can actually hold a conversation with, one who’s willing to hear what I have to say and doesn’t expect me to have sex with him on the first date? I have a feeling that if I had met Mark before I lost all the weight, he wouldn’t have given me a first look.”

      “You were beautiful then, and you’re beautiful now.”

      “Of course,” she said, chuckling.

      Several moments of silence passed between them.

      “Are you upset that it didn’t work out?”

      Serenity could detect the caution in Rayne’s question. “Nah.” She waved off Rayne’s concern virtually. “You know my schedule is nuts. I’m trying to spend any extra time I have working off these last ten pounds.” Serenity threw her head back and grunted. “These suckers are clinging to me like a leech.”

      Serenity talked with Rayne until she reached home. Their conversation turned from Mark to weekend plans to Rayne’s upcoming engagement party.

      “Hey!” Serenity perked up at Rayne’s sudden excitement. “I could introduce you to one of Ethan’s friends at the party.”

      “Rayne, no!” Serenity laughed as she pulled into her apartment complex. “Conversation over, lady. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Serenity cut off Rayne’s snicker by ending the call.

      Rolling to a stop in her designated parking spot, Serenity shut the ignition off and flopped against the back of her seat. Reflecting on the horrible date, she thought about what characteristics she’d actually like in a man. She didn’t mind confidence and ambition. In fact, she found those traits rather attractive, but intelligence combined with a little humility and compassion made for a winning combination. She didn’t require a male supermodel. More important than anything was honesty. After uncovering a few lies her ex-boyfriend, Jason Ruffin, had told, which he had labeled as misunderstandings, she felt compelled to add that to the list of must-haves in a relationship.

      Casting those thoughts aside, Serenity climbed out of the car and made her way to her apartment. Closing the door behind her, she looked around, treasuring the coziness of her space. The decor was personal, reflecting the things she loved—music, art and kids. The living room had an energetic feel, with instruments propped on floating shelves, mix-matched yet eclectic furnishings stylishly pulled together. Every item held significance. Warmth radiated there.

      She’d been alone for a while now—a little over a year. Not lonely, just alone. For the first time in a long while, she wondered what it would be like to carve out space in her life for a man.

       Chapter 2

      Christian Chandler sailed through The Reserve wine bar and headed toward the back offices, taking in the tempo of the jazz music that flowed through the sound system. Inside his office, he tossed his car keys on the desk, one of three in the rectangular room. The other belonged to his partners, Kent Adams and Raymond Gray. Chris looked at his watch. Kent would be walking in any moment, but Ray would be late as usual.

      Picking up a pile of mail, Chris sorted through it absentmindedly, as the music faded into the background. Last night’s date moved to the forefront of his thoughts. He wished it had gone better. He was sure the curvaceous beauty had a lot going for her, but the only thing he remembered being on display were her voluptuous boobs. He’d grown enough in his years since grad school to desire more than just a set of impressive curves. The old Chris would have continued dating her, but recently he found himself wanting something different.

      Chris placed the mail back on the desk, when their restaurant manager knocked on the door. Sitting down, he called for her to come in.

      “Hey, babycakes.” Trina was also the establishment’s equal-opportunity flirt. Her tall, shapely frame made it easy for men to receive her harmless advances. She always had an ego-enhancing compliment handy. “How’s it going?” Trina sat on the edge of his desk.

      “Pretty good. What about you?”

      “Just marvelous. I’d be even better had my date ended well last night.”

      “You too? That seems to be going around.”

      Trina rolled her eyes. “It’s getting harder to find good ones these days. I’m glad Ray found someone that he seems to adore. You and Kent are the last two great catches standing. Too bad I don’t date my bosses.” Her snicker made Chris laugh. “Anyway, I didn’t come to complain about my dating misadventures. A gentleman stopped by to ask about playing a live set. He’s a violinist.”

      Chris narrowed his eyes.

      “I know. I told him that we focus on jazz, but then he whipped out his instrument...” Trina paused and let the innuendo hang in the air. She

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