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Their odd and slightly confrontational staring contest finally came to an end when she nodded slowly "Me, too" She pushed herself to her feet and slapped the table "Me, too Okay then You guys mind if I scoot out early? I’ll pick up the tab"

She was already standing, and although a part of Grace wanted to dive at her feet and beg her to stay a little longer, the other part--the fearless, glutton for punish on this odd little thread that had appeared between her and Trick

"Sure, and no worries on the tab I got this one You landed Chaz the other day, so consider it a bonus"

Serena laughed "Well if I knew that, I would’ve picked another place and made you buy me lobster"

"Exactly why I kept it toif her voice sounded as shrill and nervous as she thought it did

Serena sashayed out the door, treating theain She and Trick She took a deep sip fro happen? You guys seem so…uncomfortable around each other all of a sudden"

He picked up his sandwich and bit in, chewing and sing before he answered "I’m not sure I think she’s mad at me because I called her last boytoy a meat-head the other day"

"Rodney?"

"Yeah"

Grace nodded and nibbled on a wing That could be it, although Serena was fully aware that Rodney wasn’t exactly the cerebral type and that certainly wasn’t what she kept hiuys aren’t…" She set down the half-eaten wing and flapped her hand around aardly "I mean, you don’t want to…" She flapped so, as she prayed he would put her out of her misery

His eyes popped wide, and he shook his head furiously "Christ, no God, seriously, Grace? Not even close"

His shock and denial looked so genuine, she immediately felt like a thousand pounds had been lifted off her chest

"Like I said," Trick continued, "I just think she felt like I was co at me a little in retribution Plus I…" His blue eyes were locked with hers, searching

"You?" she asked, pulse thruaze and seeood over here, guys?"

Trick broke eye contact, and Grace pasted on a smile and nodded "Yup, delicious"

She picked up Trick’s empty plate and asked Grace if she wanted to wrap hers and, by the time she left, whatever moment was there had passed She sed her disappoint to talk about but ca to be now? It had been so easy between them, and now that she’d mentally moved him out of the friend zone and into the potential helluva-lot- was already different Maybe this was a bad idea But even if it was, could she change how she felt about hiles had been right all along?

Just when things were starting to get unco into his pocket and held up a dollar "Want to play darts?"

She nodded eagerly Darts were good They were the perfect distraction Maybe the light-hearted co about Trick’s ass, broad shoulders and nice, strong-looking hands--which all seeht--every tilasses while he e at the bar for the dart board When he was done, they filed into the sh of relief when she saw that they weren’t the only ones back there A group of two guys and two girls were shooting pool on the big billiard table in the corner and their laughter and chatter along with the jukebox playing in the background was all good cover for her relative silence One of the girls looked up when they walked by and did a double take at Trick Hot jealousy flashed through Grace and she bit her lip That was new, and of all the sparkly, new feelings she’d been having lately about Trick, that was her least favorite so far

"Two out of three, loser buys the next drink?" Trick asked, either oblivious to the girl’s obvious stare or choosing to ignore it Either way, it ood, but we don’t have Serena here to drive us home, so only one rabbed six darts, three red, three blue She set their glasses down and took the red darts froroup And ogle his ass again, if she was being honest She stared at hirily, mesmerized by the cords of muscle in his forearms when he rolled up his sleeves and lined up his throw She took a long pull frolass and then another

"It’s been a fewthe board just a hair left of the bull’s eye "Huh Spoke too soon Apparently, if you’re aweso, even if you take a few ain, you’re still awesoerated swagger and raised a challenging brow her way "What about you? You think you can do better?"

His eyes were so da a little darker His pupils dilated and the s to work up so thirsty?

"Yeah?"

He stepped closer, lips parted to speak, but a loud crack of laughter from the pool table area startled her, and she stepped back

"Your turn," he said softly