Options? Meredith’s lungs collapsed beneath her emerald green and black lace bustier. She couldn’t draw a full breath. “I don’t know…about this. I’m not big on the bar scene.”
“Breathe.”
“Trying.” No panic attack. No. She took a drink of her beer and wiggled her nose. If she drank, she’d have to breathe, right?
“It’ll be great. Trust me.” Jill said, turning Meredith toward the room. “Ah, we’ve already got some attention. Good. You’re new meat in town. This is going to be easy.” She secured their purses on the hooks under the sideboard. “So, the tall one with the big shoulders in the corner is a fire fighter. Robbie Blaine. Think Gulliver Curry in Chasing Fire without the whole forest fire thing. He’s single. Hot. Knows how to use his hose.”
Meredith choked while taking a sip. Beer went down the wrong pipe, hops and something bitter burning her throat. She hacked like someone with emphysema while Jill pounded her back.
Suddenly strong hands took her shoulders and raised her up. “Okay, breathe now. Slow, easy breaths,” came a deep voice from behind her.
When she could finally inhale normally, she looked at the man holding her. He had a round, serious face. Then he gave a slow smile, a dimple winking in his cheek. His glasses reflected her now red face.
“Better?”
“Yes,” she rasped.
Jill raised her eyebrow. “Thanks, Dr. Kelly.”
“My pleasure. Always happy to make sure no one dies from choking on beer.”
“I bet you give a good Heimlich,” Jill purred.
His mouth twitched. Meredith tried to step back. His hands tightened on her shoulders before dropping to his sides. “It’s a difficult procedure. Important to be well trained.” His gaze dropped to Meredith’s lips. “Or someone might get hurt.”
Whoa there, Nellie. This guy was outright flirting with her.
“Thanks,” she replied and winced. Divorcée Woman would have come up with a more seductive response.
“My pleasure. You’re new in town.” He slid even closer.
“Sort of. I grew up here.” Again, lame. She pressed her hand to her bustier, hoping for some inspiration.
He reached for a strand of her hair. “You’re a Hale. No mistaking the red hair.”
“Yes, Meredith.” Help, please.
“Dr. Matt Kelly.”
Jill bumped her with her hip, making Meredith want to hiss. She pasted on a smile as his gaze went further south. Man, the guy was totally checking her out.
“Maybe we could meet for a welcome-back-to-town coffee sometime.”
His eyes came back up to meet hers. She could see her surprised reaction on the reflection on his glasses. It was unnerving. She lifted a shoulder. Did she want to go out with this guy? He was coming on a little strong for her, but what did she know? Besides, she was supposed to go out with guys. She pressed her hands to her ribcage, feeling the bustier again. Divorcée Woman could handle him. She could show him some interesting ways to use his stethoscope.
“Sure. How about Sunday?”
He flashed an all-perfect-teeth smile. “Great.”
Matt took out a business card, making her feel like she was back in New York. Who in Dare gave a card?
“Give me a call, Meredith. We’ll set something up.” He ran a hand down her arm, ending with a small squeeze. “I’ll take you someplace where you won’t have to worry about choking. See ya around, Jill.”
When he sauntered away, she let out a long breath.
Jill shook her hips, her teal skirt twirling. “Well hello there, tiger. I don’t need to worry about you. You’re a pro.”
Her heart didn’t agree. It was pounding like an Olympic runner’s. “He made it easy.”
Jill chuckled. “That’s because he wants to get laid. It’s every guy’s dream.”
“So what kind of doctor is he?”
“OB/GYN.”
“Oh yuck.”
No way Divorcée Woman would go out with someone who spent all day putting women in stirrups. Nothing hot—or even kinky—about that. Even Nora wouldn’t go for that profession in a hero. Doctor, yes, but not a man who made his money looking up a woman’s hoo-ha.
Jill bent over laughing, and then popped back up like a puppet. “Oh, that was fun. You should see your face.” She wiped her teary eyes. “He’s an internist at the hospital.”
“I should have brought the hammer.”
“Maybe he’s your Dr. Brady Tucker from Unfinished Business. Okay, let’s go find you some more action. Larry Barlow just came in.”
She scanned the crowd until she saw Larry’s bulky body moving toward the bar.