Dates And Other Nuts Read Online Free PDF Page B

noon.”
    â€œTemple?”
    â€œNot me. That would mean getting up an hour earlier. Can’t do it.”
    Tempting, but keep your distance, Burney. Your libido is acting weird around him lately.
    â€œLazy?”
    â€œPathetically so.”
    Touching his fingertip to the bill of his hat, Craig strode down the concourse, leaving Temple and Scotty behind.
    Temple felt a niggling of regret as she watched him go. She would have liked nothing better than to have breakfast with him, but until she figured out what was going on with her, she couldn’t chance it. Making a fool of herself with Craig was the last thing she wanted to do.
    â€œHey,” Scotty said. “Why don’t you come over for dinner next week? Stephanie mentioned the other day that it’s been a long time since you two have seen each other.”
    Temple hesitated, knowing Scotty’s penchant for fixing her up.
    â€œHey, do me a favor. Let me screw up my own life. I’m good at it.”
    â€œOh! I’m hurt.” Scotty’s shoulders slumped and there was a basset hound look on his face. “I thought you liked my friends.”
    â€œNo, I like you and Steph as friends. I haven’t yet met one of your fix-ups that I could stand.”
    â€œHonest, Steph wants you to come to dinner,” he insisted. “How about it?”
    â€œAre you sure Steph wants company for dinner in the middle of the week? How about I drop by for dessert?”
    â€œNo, she’ll want you to come for dinner. How about it, kiddo?”
    Why fight it, Temple? You’re actively seeking Don Juan, remember? Work at this!
    â€œAll right,” she said finally. “It has been a long time since I’ve seen Steph and the kids. Let me know what time and what I can bring.”
    â€œWill do.”
    Temple watched Scotty stride toward a bank of telephones to let his wife know he’d landed safely. Steph would be waiting for the call. And who was waiting for her call? Nobody. Would there ever be someone? Was she ready for that? Yes. With the right guy.
    Her gaze drifted back over the concourse, hoping to catch a glimpse of Craig, but he was already gone. What was this empty feeling?
    Shrugging mentally, she waved at Ginny and headed for the parking lot.
    Â 
    CRAIG HAD JUST WALKED into his apartment when the phone rang. Tired from the long day, he picked up the receiver, frowning when he heard Jeff Sharp’s voice on the other end.
    â€œHi, Jeff, what’s up?”
    He listened, wincing inwardly.
    â€œBoy, I’d like to help you out, but—
    â€œYeah, she sounds nice, but I—
    â€œWhat about Sam?
    â€œCan’t Suzy set her up with one of her friends?
    â€œNo, I had a busy weekend. I think I’ll stay home and heat a TV dinner, relax—
    â€œSure, it can keep, but—”
    He drew a deep breath. First Scotty, and now Jeff. He was going to have to put his foot down.
    â€œWell, if she’s already bought the tickets. What time?
    â€œYes, it’d be a shame to let the tickets go to waste. Are you and Lynda going?
    â€œCome on, Jeff. You want me to go, but you’re not going?
    â€œOkay, tell Gina I’ll pick her up around—” he glanced at his watch “—seven-thirty.”
    Dropping the phone into its cradle, he shrugged out of his jacket.
    Damn, he wished his friends would give it a rest! How many times did he have to tell them he’d find his own women.
    An ice show?
    Â 
    THE NIGHT STARTED OFF bad. Then it got worse.
    Craig’s heart wasn’t in the impromptu date.
    Two blocks away from the stadium, a petite brunette, Gina, checked her watch for the fifth time. “We’re going to be late.”
    â€œNot much. We’ll be there by the start of the first act.” Craig smiled reassuringly. “Relax.”
    The skaters were finishing their warm-ups as Craig directed Gina to their seats. Five minutes into the performance, the