Paradise Disguised(25)

"And where are the two of you off to looking so stunning?" Jack asked.                       
       
           



       

"We're on our way to Shiney's," Anna said as she grabbed her purse and bent to kiss him on the cheek.

"You know, girls," Jack said, "that sounds like a great idea. Would you mind if I joined you?"

He was thinking about the threats Anna had been getting and of her  safety, so he didn't see the embarrassed expression flit across her  face.

"Sure Mr. Hollis," Mel said, barely containing her laughter. She ignored  Anna's imploring stare and gave her a wink instead. "This'll be fun."

"Yeah, fun," Anna muttered following close behind them.





Chapter Fourteen





Dylan and Mitchell settled themselves into a corner booth, nursing their  beers and enjoying the live band that Shiney's always had on family  nights and the weekends. The smoke filled interior was controlled chaos,  an art form that had been successful for decades with waitresses  dodging bodies and spilled drinks and whoever was tending bar keeping up  with the piling orders.

They were somewhat secluded from the growing Thursday night crowd,  preferring to observe instead of participate, and they looked over the  menu in companionable silence.

"What'll it be boys?" Verna Shiney asked in her booming voice. Brian's  mother ruled the roost in the Shiney household, and she'd been taking  orders and filling drinks for many years.

"I think we'll both have the special tonight," Dylan answered. "I like  the new band. I can actually hear conversations going on around me."

"I know what you mean. I couldn't hear anything in my left ear for a  week after that band from last time. I hear you're still having a few  lady problems," Verna said with a wink.

"I wouldn't call them problems exactly," Dylan said. "I just need to  work on my persuasive techniques a little more. What do you say Verna,  would you like to run away to Tahiti with me?"

"Oh, you rascal. If I was forty years younger I'd take you up on it. I  wouldn't turn a fine specimen like you away. I have no idea what's wrong  with Anna. I helped diaper that girl. It makes me want to give her a  good smack in the head," she said, heading off back to the kitchen.

"Ah, that's what I love about small towns. Everybody knows your business."

"I'm glad I'm not in your shoes because that's exactly what I don't like  about small towns. You notice no one ever talks about me," Mitchell  said.

"That's because you're boring. Your lesbian girlfriend is more exciting than you are."

"Shut up. I think we've reached an understanding these past weeks, since  you and Anna have screwed up everyone else's schedule. We've become  allies."

"So you're telling me you're not attracted to Mel?" Dylan asked with a disbelieving look on his face.

"Nope. She's not my type. She's got a great sense of humor and she's  smart, but I'm just not attracted to her that way. All I want is for her  to admit that she's attracted to the opposite sex."

"I'll bet you a thousand dollars that you make a move on her before the year is out," Dylan said.

"That would be completely inappropriate, and she'd kick my ass if she ever found out."

"Pussy," Dylan taunted. "Ten thousand."

"You're on," Mitchell said. "And I would like my payment in cash, so I don't have to declare it on my taxes if you don't mind."

"In your dreams. You've never been able to resist an attractive woman,  and now that a bet's on the line she's going to be damn near  irresistible."

"We'll just see about that," Mitchell said, confidant.

"What the hell's going on over there?" Dylan asked, trying to see around  a group of people. The area had suddenly become quiet and the only  sound was the music coming from the band.

"Well, speak of the devil," Dylan murmured with a smile on his face.

Mitchell turned around to see what Dylan was looking at and his jaw  almost dropped to the floor. There was Mel, standing in the middle of  the doorway, looking like he'd never seen her before.

Gone were the trendy clothes and funky hairstyle and in its place was a  woman that could melt fire. The form-fitting outfit she wore accented  all the curves he loved. Her lips were slicked the color of raspberries,  and he had to restrain himself from wanting to taste them.

"That was the easiest ten grand I've ever made, my friend," Dylan said.

"The bet's not over yet," Mitchell said, his palms sweaty but his mind  determined to win. "And besides, your own problem just walked in the  door."                       
       
           



       

Dylan shot out of his chair in a flash and looked back towards the door, unmindful of the attention he'd drawn to himself.

Anna walked in directly behind Mel, dressed just as sexy, and leaned  back to say something to her father. Great, Dylan thought, Jack would be  with her tonight. He couldn't very well pull her into a soul-searching  kiss while her father was standing three feet away.

"Shit," Dylan said.

"Exactly. You are screwed, not to mention how desperate you look. You're  totally ruining the image we've been building for so many years."

"What can I say? I'm a one woman man from now on," he said, devouring the sight of Anna with his eyes. "What's she doing?"

"Looks like they're going to sit at the bar to me. What the hell is Mel doing talking to Brian Shiney?" Mitchell growled.

"Anna told me they've all been friends since grade school. They hang out  all the time. In fact, I heard they were planning a trip to Las Vegas  soon. They go every couple of years. Why, are you jealous?"

"Hell no," Mitchell said, seeing red at the thought of Mel taking a trip  with anyone, "but that doesn't mean I think she should be traipsing  around dressed like that and flirting with every man she sees.

"See there," Mitchell pointed, "See how she's hugging Walt Mooneyham."

Dylan burst into laughter at Mitchell's absurdity. "Walt Mooneyham is  ninety-two years old. I don't think you have anything to worry about."

"I'm not worried. I just think she should have a care with how she advertises her wares."

"Do me a favor and mention that to her. I love it when women kick your  ass." Dylan's gaze wondered back to Anna, and his heart swelled with the  love he felt for her. The need to get up and pull her into his arms was  overwhelming.

"Oh my, God," Mitchell muttered. "That's Jeff."

Dylan looked toward the bar again and saw Jeff Zimmerman, their new  partner, make a smooth move so he ended up right next to Mel.

Dylan started to laugh at the irony. "Looks like he's making some headway. And I believe Mel is returning the interest."

"Like hell she is," Mitchell muttered, then clamped his mouth shut when  he realized he sounded like a jealous lover. "She's a grown woman. She  can do whatever the hell she wants. But I think Jeff needs to be  concentrating on the piles of work on his desk instead of making time  with the local ladies."

Dylan ignored Mitchell's tirade and watched as Anna and Jack sat next to  Mel on the barstools. It didn't take Verna Shiney long to make her way  over to the trio. He held his breath as he watched Verna look in his  direction, and he knew Anna was now aware of his presence.

She turned her head and their eyes met, held captive by the attraction  that still shot like electricity between them. He smiled at her slowly,  that devastating smile that melted her heart, and nodded in her  direction.

Anna froze. She knew there was a chance he'd be here tonight, but she  thought she'd have time to get her wits about her and do some deep  breathing exercises before she had to jump off the deep end.

Dylan was confused by the look that came into Anna's eyes. She looked  worried and a little bit hesitant. And if he hadn't missed his guess. .  .nervous.

He watched her get up off her stool, and his heart pounded harder when  he thought she was coming over to see him. But surprise showed on his  face as he watched her walk in the opposite direction.

"She's giving you the cold shoulder, bud," Mitchell said, jabbing him in the ribs.

"No she's not, but she's up to something. That look she gave me was anything but cold."

"Look, now Anna's flirting with Brian. What's with that guy making time with our women," Mitchell asked.

"Our women?" Dylan asked.

"No, I didn't say that," Mitchell backpedaled. "I meant your woman."

"You are toast my friend. Here's to seeing if you can turn the lesbian  to a lover of men and make me ten thousand dollars richer," Dylan said,  lifting his beer.