LITMIR.BIZ

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She shrugged. “Well, look at it as a first step toward that.”

      Jen regarded her with new interest. “You know, Hale, I think that’s the smartest thing you’ve said since you stormed into this place. Well, besides the part where you dumped Peter.” She grinned.

      “So that means you’ll help me?”

      “I said I would.” Her eyes clouding in thought, Jen began taping up the box, winding, snipping and smoothing, her motions methodical.

      “Thank God.” Recognizing that Jen was now completely in her corner, Haley cased the front sidewalk for customers. No one in sight. She reached behind the counter for a clipboard and pen and looked up expectantly. “So where do we start?”

      “Just hold on. I’m thinking.”

      Setting the clipboard on the counter, Haley wrote Strategies for—Then she paused, frowning. Something descriptive? Like Finding my very own sweet and reliable, if—Oh, just go for direct. Strategies for Geek Hunting. Good. To the point. She quickly scribbled it down and glanced up.

      Her gaze directed out the front window, Jen was already muttering thoughtfully. “I guess the best way to approach this would be from a career and interest standpoint.”

      “Exactly. Career and interest. No shallow studs. I want a guy capable of conversation.” She jotted No studs. “But how do I do that?”

      “Hangouts, maybe?” Jen murmured doubtfully. “We could target a few interesting places and go from there.”

      “Right.” Haley jotted Target locations with high geek probability and underlined it.

      “Libraries, bookstores, computer stores. Hmm. That last one’s good. You won’t find some self-involved, directionless hunk in a computer store.” Jen turned a speculative eye on her friend.

      Haley was scribbling away furiously. “Computer store.” She looked up. “Bingo. That’s first. I’ll try that new Computer Nation around the corner.”

      “Okay. But, Haley…”

      “What?”

      “Suppose you find a guy…like this. What will you do? How on earth are you going to approach him?”

      “Well. Subtly, I suppose.” Haley frowned. “I guess I need to adjust my attitude, huh? Take extra care choosing the guy…and then seem approachable?”

      “Couldn’t hurt.”

      “Right. Approachable. Maybe even tone down…”

      “What?” Jen sounded alarmed.

      “Just a sec.” Haley, lost in thought, tapped her pen on the clipboard. She knew she tended to go overboard with her clothes sometimes. She hung out with kids and a friend most of the day, and bright colors were suitable for that. But this was different. She didn’t want to scare guys away by dressing in neon colors or zebra stripes. She paused, then jotted Dress down. Neutral classics. Nothing trendy.

      The guy could be shy, too. Shy guys would slip right past her usual radar unless…She scribbled some more. Big smiles. Unthreatening but obvious approach. Now, how to relax him so she could get to know him as he really was…maybe appeal to his strengths? Yes. Stroke ego liberally. She considered but refrained from underlining liberally. A girl had her limits.

      Scanning her list and visualizing possibilities, Haley gave a decisive nod. “This could just work, Jen. And I think Computer Nation will make a perfect testing ground.”

      FLIPPING DOWN THE KICKSTAND of her bike, Haley propped it by her apartment door and turned to fiddle with the doorknob. She glanced distractedly at her new neighbor’s door, and was surprised to find the hallway deserted for a change. Usually, she had to dodge several borderline hostile women, apparently lying in wait for her new neighbor, to get to her door. That was odd—and getting old. What sort of business was her neighbor in, anyway? It boggled the mind to wonder.

      Grimacing, she gently worked at her key then turned the knob, but as usual, the lock refused to give. Haley grumbled and persisted, gritting her teeth and hoping her key wouldn’t break off. “Come on you stubborn piece of—”

      “Excuse me?”

      Haley whipped around at the sound of a vaguely familiar voice, bumping her arm against the seat of her bike. The bike toppled, sending her purse and clipboard flying out of the basket attached to her handlebars. The clipboard caught the man in the shins. He winced.

      Seeing his face contort, Haley grimaced herself. “Sorry. Are you okay?” After quickly righting her bike, she stepped forward, wanting to offer aid but not sure how to do it without touching the man’s leg. Feeling a stranger’s leg definitely overstepped a few boundaries.

      The man looked up, a wary grin on his face.

      Uh-oh. Oh, wow. The man had killer eyes. She stared into them. An incredible sapphire-blue. Not flat and cold like a stone, but deep and alive, almost liquid. She felt herself getting drawn in, feeling that pull of a too-good-looking-for-her-own-good man.

      Then as she recognized the owner of those killer eyes, Haley froze. “You.”

      The amusement faded. “Me?”

      “That’s why you looked so familiar. You were at the store today and—”

      “And I’m also your new neighbor. Right next door. Small world, huh?” He grinned uneasily.

      From the look on his face, Haley could only surmise he wished it weren’t quite this small. Shake it off, Hale. The man’s not for you and you’re scaring him.

      She cleared her throat. “I—Hi. Look, I’m really sorry if that scene at the store today made you uncomfortable.” She laughed. “The last thing I want to do is chase away new Toy Boxx customers.” She shifted self-consciously. “Wow. You catch me freaking out on the job, arguing out loud with my door lock, and then I clobber you. I’m really sorry.” Haley attempted a harmless neighbor grin. “Can I get you some ice for that?”

      The man laughed, visibly relaxing. “I think I’ll survive.” He shifted the clipboard he’d retrieved from his shoes and tucked it under his arm. “I’m Ma—” He paused, coughing a little. “Sorry.” He smiled and gestured apologetically. “Name’s Rick. Rick Samuels.” He offered his hand.

      Haley took it, hoping her hand wasn’t clammy with nerves and awakening hormones. “Haley Watson. Welcome to the building.”

      “It’s good to finally meet my neighbor. I’ve been curious about you. The noises—”

      Haley made a face. “My dog. Puppy actually. We’re still working on housebreaking. Or rather, I’m working on it and Sherlock’s trying his best to defeat me.”

      “So you’re Watson and he’s Sherlock?” Those blue eyes sparkled with amusement.

      Haley grinned reluctantly. “I didn’t name him. My ex-boyfriend did.” She paused, her smile fading a little as she remembered the desk-bopping incident. “The dog used to be his.”

      “The detestable Prince Charming?”

      Haley’s regard cooled considerably. “You overheard.”

      He shrugged. “Not much. Just that it looked like you were pretty upset. I’m sorry things didn’t work out.” He shifted awkwardly, as if at a loss for an appropriate response.

      Haley relaxed. “Oh, it’s okay, really. I’ve already had my revenge. I’m ready to move on now.”

      His eyes widened. “Your revenge?”

      She waved a hand, smiling ruefully. “Don’t ask. I had a psycho moment.” A bark sounded from within, followed by a hopeful whine. Now, there was love and loyalty a girl could count on. Haley gazed at her closed door, smiling slightly as she pictured the puppy’s sweet face.

      “Revenge. Okay.”

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