He asked, “So, what’s the plan tonight? Do the minimum and then slip out early?”
Shelby sighed. “That’s always my hope for one of my aunt’s fundraisers. But if it goes on too late, you can leave. I can always catch a ride home in my aunt and uncle’s limo.”
“I’m not going to ditch you, Shelby. That would be déclassé.”
When she laughed, her smile sparked an answering grin from him. Maybe they’d actually have a good time, even if his father was bound to be there.
As they drove in silence, he caught Shelby staring at him. “What? Did I cut myself shaving or something?” He ran a hand down the side of his face to check.
“No. I just can’t figure you out. Why would a guy like you need my help? Let’s face it: you’re not ugly, you have a hot car, and I know from your address you live in one of the most exclusive subdivisions in Denver. You’re kind of arrogant sometimes, but then, some women actually like that. So what’s the deal?”
Crap! Had she guessed he was spying on her? But he wasn’t arrogant. Maybe he’d taken his bad-client act a little too far.
Failing to come up with a good retort, he shrugged. “Maybe I just wanted to try something new?” That was lame. He needed to step it up quick or Grandma was going to haunt him for the rest of his life.
Her eyes narrowed. “So you were completely honest on your questionnaire? That’s really the kind of woman you think you want?”
“Yes. I think I’d enjoy spending time with a woman like that.”
An accident on the freeway ahead had him downshifting. That’s all he needed. To be stuck in traffic with Shelby interrogating him. When they came to a dead stop, he turned and faced her. “Why is it so wrong to want the woman I described?”
“I’ve never had a client say they aren’t looking for love or a real relationship before. It’s why people use my service.”
Fail there. He should’ve kept his mouth shut about that. “I’m hoping you can find me that woman so we could have a nice time and enjoy each other’s company until it fizzles out. Not everyone wants to be married and have kids . . . like you obviously do.”
“Leave me out of this. We’re analyzing you. Do you have any women friends?”
“No. But none of my other guy friends do either. So what?”
“You’d really rather have a girlfriend who likes sports over one with say, intelligence and wit?”
“Intelligence and wit would be a nice bonus. I just hate it when women pretend to like sports when I first meet them, and then get mad because I spend too much time watching football with the guys.”
“So, you prefer to hang out with men over being with a woman?”
“Yeah, especially during football season.”
“You do realize the woman you described on your questionnaire is basically a guy, but with girl parts, right?”
“What are you trying to say, Shelby?”
The traffic started moving again, so he put the car in gear and gave it some gas.
She ignored his question. “You mentioned you didn’t want to run into your dad tonight, so you seem to have father issues too.”
“Father issues? I think it’s perfectly normal to dislike a cheating bastard.”
“Maybe you’ve come to me because you’re having trouble facing the truth?”
“About what?”
“Think about it Nick. You prefer to hang with guys, and you can’t commit to women. Maybe you’d rather be with a man?”
What!
“Shelby, I’m not—”
She wrapped her arms around her waist and laughed out loud. “The look on your face, Nick . . .” She had to stop and catch her breath, she was laughing so hard. “Priceless.”
“Cute. How are you the top-rated matchmaker in town if you tease your clients like that?”
She sobered up quickly and crossed her arms. “I don’t tease my other clients. Guys like you just bring it out in me, I guess.”
“Guys like me? What does that mean?”
She shrugged and looked out the window. “Never mind. It doesn’t matter. Maybe you and I shouldn’t work together.”
He’d played the jerk card a little too well when they’d first met to test her. So now he needed to show her he wasn’t arrogant and that he truly respected her so she wouldn’t dump him. “Maybe you tease me because you actually like me. Have you ever considered that?”
Now it was her expression that made him laugh. “You don’t have to look so horrified, Shelby. Maybe I’m not the guy you think I am. Why don’t we call a truce and just get through tonight before we go tearing up contracts. Deal?” He held out his fist for a friendly bump.