“Oh, well, I’ve got this conference next week in New York, so I’m leaving on Sunday morning. On Saturday I usually take my grandmother lawn bowling.”

I reach out and put my hand over Terry’s, but immediately withdraw because it’s clammy. “That’s so sweet that you do that with her.”

“Have you ever gone lawn bowling?” He’s talking to my cleavage.

Despite my irritation, which I’m unsure I have a right to, considering the dress I’m wearing, I bat my lashes, playing up the sexy angle, especially since Pierce is sitting to the right of me with his model girlfriend. “No. I can’t say that I have.”

“It’s actually a lot of fun. People think it’s just for seniors, but it’s not. I’ve been playing since I was ten. I won the regional tournament last year. I have a trophy and a plaque and everything.”

“Oh wow, that’s great.” I can’t believe I’m on a date with a man who lawn bowls with his grandmother because he likes it. And he thinks he’s a hotshot because he beat a bunch of geriatrics in a tournament.

“Maybe you’d like to come with me?”

I catch myself as I recoil and try to recover, plastering a smile on my face. “You mean this weekend?”

He fidgets with his straw and shrugs, then wipes his lip sweat again. His perspiration problem has amplified while we’ve been sitting here, in the shade. I watch as a bead trickles down his temple and lands on the tablecloth.

Ew.

To make matters worse, his eyes keep darting around, but always seem to end up below my neck, and he’s doing this weird swallowing thing. “If you’re not busy,” he says on a croak.

I give him my sad face. “I’d really love to, but I have to work this weekend.” This is true. We have two houses to show not far from here, on the beach. We’re also planning to canvas a few of the elderly owners who might be looking to sell while the market is hot since we’re almost at the point where we can purchase one of our own properties to flip.

“Maybe another time, then. Um, if you’ll excuse me for a second, I need to use the restroom.” He shoves his chair back, nearly tipping it over. He also almost takes out a server carrying a tray of drinks when he bursts through the door.

A snort comes from my left. I glance over to find Pierce coughing into a napkin. I throw a glare his way and covertly scratch my temple with my middle finger.

Marley was right, I should’ve cancelled this date while I had the chance.

CHAPTER 5

GLOBES OF GOODNESS

PIERCE

“Okay, what’s the story?” My sister, who’s in town on business for the weekend, kicks my shin with her pointy-toed shoes, eyes shifting to the table across the patio.

I hiss in pain. “What the hell, Amalie?”

“Did you sleep with that woman?” She tilts her head in Rian’s direction, devious smile turning up the corner of her mouth.

I rub my shin. “Stop staring, and no, I didn’t sleep with her.” I know it’s Rian and not her sister based on the mole above her lip. Also, that dress she’s wearing highlights all of her incredible assets. I’d like her in my bed. But not for sleeping.

“Did you try to sleep with her? Did she reject you? Is that why she’s glaring? She’s stunning. What’s she doing with that guy? He’s so awkward.” She flips her hair over her shoulder and makes an attempt at subtlety as we watch the guy nearly trip over his own feet and knock over a server with a full tray on his way to the bathroom. At least that’s where I assume he’s disappearing to. Maybe to puke out his nerves.

“Maybe he’s a nice guy. You ever consider that?” Even if he is a nice guy, he’s way out of his league with this one.

“I’d be more inclined to believe that’s a pity date. Or maybe some weird setup. Maybe she owed someone a favor.”

“Why do you even care?” I glance over at Rian, now sitting alone at her table. I almost feel bad for the poor guy. He doesn’t look like he has the balls to manage her. I won’t be the least bit surprised if he had to go to the bathroom to deal with a woody. I’m halfway there and I’m not sitting across from her, getting the full impact of that dress’s neckline.

I thought she looked great in workout gear, but it had nothing on this dress she’s wearing tonight. The hot-pink fabric conforms to every luscious curve, and the deep V highlights the globes of goodness underneath.

“Because that little eye contact thing between the two of you could set an entire forest on fire. There is zero chemistry between that woman and that guy, but the two of you, zing!” Amalie snaps her fingers a few times, drawing several people’s attention. She bites her lip and sinks down in her seat, lowering her voice, likely so she doesn’t attract any more unnecessary attention with her enthusiasm. “You two might as well be shooting lust rays at each other. And that dress is gorgeous. I wonder where she got it. Lex would love it.”

Lex, otherwise known as Lexington Mills, son to Harrison Mills, the owner of one of the most renowned hotel chains in the world, is my sister’s fiancé. He bravely asked her to marry him a month ago.

Amalie glances down at the classy, sophisticated dress she’s wearing and frowns. “I don’t know that I have enough boob to fill that out the way she does, though.”

“I’m your brother, don’t talk to me about your—” I make a few random gestures in the direction of her upper body.

“You’re so uptight sometimes.” She leans in closer and lowers her voice. “So give me the scoop. I want to know why that woman keeps trying to kill-fuck you with her molten-lava stare.”

In low tones, I give her the abridged version of the parking lot hit-and-run, the grocery store, and our coffee date. I leave out the fact that I relentlessly antagonized her for a date, until I found out she’s seeing someone. That this guy is a better option than me is almost offensive.

“Oh my God. There are two of her?”

“They don’t look exactly the same, but pretty close.”

“Wow. Too bad this one has a boyfriend. Or whatever he is.” She raises a finger, eyes lighting up. “But if they look almost the same, maybe her sister’s a viable dating option.”

“Her sister is the one who hit my car and drove off. Why would I be interested in her?”

“Hmm.” Amalie taps her lip. “Good point. Well, based on the complete lack of fireworks between those two, and the way she keeps looking at you, I’d say you might have a chance with her.”

I lean back in my chair and drag my eyes away from Rian, who is, in fact, glaring at me. Although, to be fair, I’ve been checking her out rather shamelessly since we sat down. “She’s looking at me like she wants to punch me in the dick, and she’s on a date.”

“There’s a fine line between hate and lust. And that date is clearly not an even match. What do you want to bet she’s one of those gorgeous women who doesn’t actually realize how beautiful she is, so she dates down?”

“Maybe she’s dating him because he drives a nicer car than she does.”

“Doubtful.” Amalie flips through the menu. “Oooh, I think I want lobster tonight. I’m buying, by the way.”

“Oh, hell no. There’s no way you’re paying. I invited you out for dinner; I’m paying, little sister.”