LITMIR.BIZ

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be with you in a minute.” Jen’s voice drifted pleasantly from the back room.

      “Take your time. It’s just me. And I closed the shop.” Haley tossed her purse on the counter and turned to pull down the blinds.

      “So what happened?” Jen emerged from the back room, carrying a box of shopping bags with the store’s logo on the front. She stashed them under the counter and pulled out an old-fashioned feather duster.

      “I’ve got a date. Two, kind of, if you count Rick.”

      Jen’s eyes widened. “Tell me.”

      Haley started tidying shelves, straightening fallen teddy bears and restacking packaged cars. As she did so, she described her encounter with Tim.

      “Okay, so what did you think of him?” Jen asked when Haley wound down.

      Haley shrugged. “He seemed like a nice guy.”

      “Did you discuss anything besides financial software?” Jen asked, mildly exasperated.

      “Well, my computer, the system here.” Haley smoothed the hair on a doll before setting her next to her sisters. She looked up. “What more do you want? I only spoke to him for about twenty minutes and I was there for software. He seemed nice, he asked me out, and I decided, ‘Why not?”’

      Jen shook her head and began whisking the duster back and forth across the blinds.

      Noticing the head shaking and the rueful smile on her friend’s face, Haley threw out her hands in disgust. “What? I met what appeared to be a nice, unassuming kind of guy. A geek, if you want to be unkind about it. And he asked me out. Mission accomplished, right?”

      “I knew this was a mistake, Haley. At this rate, you’re going to end up either stuck with some reliable guy who means nothing to you, or still dating at the age of ninety.”

      Haley laughed. “I don’t think I’m that hopeless. I just need to get my feet wet, you know? I haven’t dated anyone but the prince charmings of the world. If things work out with Tim, great. If not, no harm done. Consider it a practice date.”

      Jen studied her friend. “I suppose that’s reasonable.” She smiled slightly, her eyes narrowing. “So tell me about this Rick.”

      “Well, you’ve already met him. He was the guy who was in here the other day while I was having my tantrum.”

      Jen’s eyes widened and she smiled. “Oooh, Haley. Very nice.”

      Haley made a face. “He’s also my new neighbor.”

      “Your neighbor?”

      “Next door. He’s coming over tonight for pizza.” Haley regarded Jen sternly. “But it’s just a neighbor thing.”

      “Why?” Jen eyed her as if Haley had lost her mind.

      Haley plopped down on the floor. She rested back against a massive teddy bear, letting its huge arms encircle her shoulders. “Because he’s beautiful. Mouthwatering.”

      Jen stopped dusting. “And?”

      “What else is there to say? He’s a hunk and I’ve sworn off hunks.” At that reminder, Haley dropped her hot face into her hands. “And he knows it.” The last came out in an embarrassed squeak.

      “He knows it? What did you do? Tell him?” Jen’s voice rose in disbelief.

      Haley looked up, her cheeks still hot. “Of course not. I’m not that stupid.” She described their encounter in the hallway, ending with a disgruntled sigh. “So, I guess that will teach me not to put incriminating evidence in writing.”

      “Oh, Haley.” Jen grimaced in sympathy. “So, how did all this evolve into a pizza date tonight?”

      “Well, I ran into him at the computer store today.” Haley whipped her hair behind her ears, the movement vicious. “He heard me with Tim. I must have sounded like a complete idiot. Defenseless maiden in need of guidance from the computer expert.” When Jen rolled her eyes, Haley’s voice rose in her own defense. “Tim was nervous of me. I had to do something to put him at ease. What would you have done?”

      Jen shrugged. “So how did Rick react to all this?”

      “He seemed kind of put off by it.”

      “And that’s why you’re having dinner together tonight?” Jen sounded baffled.

      “I guess he decided to give me the benefit of the doubt. In the interest of good neighbor relations.”

      Jen smiled shrewdly at her friend. “Pretty lame, but I’ll buy it if you want me to. Tell me about Rick. Does he have anything approaching a personality? What about a job?”

      Haley sighed in frustration but calmed enough to consider the questions. “Well, you know he’s good-looking. Kind of like Brad Pitt, but bigger, less pretty. Remember? And these incredible blue eyes.” She smiled ruefully. “Plus a body that won’t quit. Nice shoulders, tall, he obviously works out. I know he bikes. In fact, he owns a bike shop. As far as personality goes, though,” Haley frowned, irritation darkening her eyes, “he’s just what you’d expect from a guy who looks like that.”

      “Boring?”

      One eyebrow rose. “No, that he’s not. Just arrogant and provoking. Endlessly, annoyingly provoking. It’s like sparring with an immature older brother.”

      Jen burst out laughing. “He sounds perfect for you. Have your pizza and your man with my blessings.”

      “Now wait just a minute—”

      A jingle and an imperious voice interrupted her protest. “Hello? Darling?”

      Haley jumped to her feet. “Mom!”

      She watched in mingled delight and dread as her smartly dressed mother strode crisply into the store. She tugged Haley into her arms for a warm hug.

      Haley returned the hug absently, her eyes taking in the sight of the man who had sauntered in behind her. Oh, boy. Not again. Damn, she should have locked the door. Not that she minded the view. Indeed, it was fine. Too fine. Her mother was trying to stack the deck against her.

      She pulled back, smiling determinedly at her mother. “What brings you here today?” As if I didn’t know.

      Clara Watson just as determinedly ignored the silent accusation. “I wanted to visit my daughter and I brought along a friend.” She turned a brilliant smile on Mr. Smooth, Dark and Sculpted. “Adam Harding, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Haley.”

      Haley transferred her gaze to the man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties. He was undeniably good-looking, a few inches shy of six feet tall, and wearing a smile that radiated charisma. Haley offered her hand and a polite smile. “Hello, Adam. Nice to meet you.” She withdrew her hand after a brief shake. “So how do you two know each other?”

      Clara smiled proudly. “We featured Adam on the Show Me Show a few weeks ago, and I have to say he looked just marvelous on TV. The camera adores him. My ratings went right through the roof that morning. He also happens to be local, can you believe it?” She gazed meaningfully at her daughter. “In fact, his family’s been local for over a hundred years. Isn’t that right, Adam?”

      “Yes, ma’am.” It was a rich, smooth voice, but somehow it fell flat on Haley’s ears. Maybe she was actually building up a resistance to gorgeous, charming men. “You have a beautiful mother and an intriguing store, Haley. It’s nice to meet you.”

      “Thank you.” Haley’s smile felt tight. She felt her mother’s unspoken command to turn on the sparkling wit and ignored it, remaining stubbornly nonsparkling. She felt Jen move up beside her, silently amused but supportive.

      “Hi, Mrs. Watson.” She greeted Clara then turned to the man at her side. “Hi, I’m Jennifer Grayson, Haley’s business partner.” She offered her hand.

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