“She hates to lose.”
“Yes, I know. There’s no way she’s banging a guy that would crush her like that.”
“What?”
He punched the air. “I knew she was fucking lying to me! Dammit.”
Who’d put that thought in his head? Then she remembered the awkward body language between them at the bar. Ah, Jillie.
Brian shook his head. “I’m not watching anymore. She won’t walk away.”
Meredith grabbed his arm. “It takes a lot for her to walk away.”
Even in the darkened light of the bar, his face fell. “I know it, and once she does, there’s no getting her back.” He gave Jill a final look, the longing on his face painful. “See ya, Mere,” he said, and then walked away.
Meredith pressed through the crowd, heading straight for the dart board. Her sister was strung up so tight her back muscles were clenched, like a ballerina poised for a lift.
Tanner met her gaze as Jill hit the dart board on the narrow sliver of twenty points, scant millimeters from the bullseye. Wiping the chalkboard, he wrote her new score, his fingers coated white.
“Let’s make this the last game. This old man’s got to get up and teach a bunch of kids in the morning.” He yawned and stretched his arms overhead.
Meredith’s mouth went dry as she watched his muscles shift beneath his plain navy T-shirt. Even though she knew he wasn’t the least bit old or tired, his act had her body warming.
Admit it, Divorcée Woman drawled. That man could make you scream.
Meredith put her arms around Jill. “Hey.”
The pursed mouth and stubborn chin looked familiar. Meredith had seen it in the locker room mirror each time she’d lost a swimming competition.
“You wanna go? I’m pretty worn out from earlier.”
Jill’s eyes narrowed as she tossed the dart in her hand. “That’s your own fault. No one thought that was a good idea.”
“Ah…” Wow, she hadn’t been expecting that response.
“I’m not through,” Jill said. “You can go home. I’ll get a ride.”
Tanner walked toward them. “I really do need to go,” he said. “We’ll pick this up another time.”
He trained his gaze on Meredith, the intensity causing her to take a small step back. He had this special ability of looking at someone like they were the most important thing in the world. She could see why he was such a good journalist. People talked to someone like that. They couldn’t help it.
Jill drilled her finger into his chest. “You better mean that. I want to win those damn mozzarella balls.”
Meredith raised her brow. She knew her time with Avery had become a joke between them.
He grinned and tapped Jill on the nose. “They’re yours for the taking.” His gaze slid over to Meredith again, his brown eyes so rich and direct her heart lurched.
“I’ll see you both in the morning.”
He was referring to their swim, which he always followed up with a morning coffee at Don’t Soy With Me. She hated how he had intruded on her routine—and become a part of it.
“And what if I change my time?” she shot back.
Big mistake, Divorcée Woman cautioned. You won’t see a big, wet, nearly naked man. It’s better than a cup of coffee.
“I wouldn’t bother. I’ll change my time too. And beat you pretty bad for the trouble.” He winked at Jill. “I don’t like people getting between me and my morning coffee.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Jill said.
His grin only widened. “See you around, ladies,” he drawled and strode through the crowd of well-wishers.
“Let’s go.” Meredith grabbed Jill’s hand. Pulling out her keys, she led her sister across the street toward her car. She heard a muffled honk from behind them and swiveled around. Tanner slowed, waved, and then sped by. Her heart turned over. Man, she had it bad.
When they got in the car, Jill snapped on her seat belt and turned to look at her. “You’re a total idiot. That guy is awesome, and he really likes you. And what do you do? You spend most of the night talking with Avery about cheese. Cheese,” she shrieked, pulling her hair. “Avery’s a nice guy, Mere, but who are you kidding? I’ve been silent about this for a while, but this story—about you coming back here to date some great small town guy and fall in love…Well, it’s horse shit.”
Meredith’s hands clenched the wheel so hard her knuckles went white. Jill’s tone cut through her like a razor.
“At first, I thought you were getting your wings, but some of your choices are…ridiculous! I mean, after these past two weeks, I keep thinking we need to go back to the hardware store so you can give your old chum Smith a second chance. What’s a weenie with early male baldness? I can’t think of one good reason why he’s not on par with some of the others.”