One Touch More Read Online Free PDF Page B

beneath the tattoos, the shaggy light brown hair that was meant to look unkempt, and the stubble of his jaw—which was more like a ten o’clock shadow than five—was a complicated man who fought with his demons because he wanted more than the life he’d found himself in.
    Yeah, right . Tabitha turned her attention from the pool table and focused once again on Lila. That romantic, optimistic outlook was what had gotten her into trouble in the first place. Always giving people the benefit of the doubt, looking for that silver lining on even the darkest of clouds. She’d been convinced that Joey was a good guy beneath his rough exterior and poor choices. How wrong she’d been. And now, after they’d been broken up for almost a year, it was Tabitha who was losing sleep over the fact that he was still a fixture in her life, while Joey reaped the benefits of having her in his.
    She guzzled her drink in a few swallows. Boise was small as cities went, but it still pissed her off that she couldn’t even go out for the evening without running into her ex. She refused to let him scare her away, though. If Lila could blow reality off in favor of a good time, so could Tabitha.
    â€œIncoming, two o’clock,” Lila said close to her ear.
    Tabitha’s stomach clenched at the prospect of having to make small talk with a guy. She’d sworn off the bar scene as a means to meet men after the nightmare that was her relationship with Joey. “Not interested.”
    Lila ran her fingers through the length of her straight, auburn hair. “You’ve got to get back in the saddle sometime, Tabs. You haven’t dated in a year. I’m sexually frustrated on your behalf.”
    â€œComing from the woman who hasn’t dated in almost as long.”
    Lila flashed her a lopsided grin. “But that’s not to say I haven’t been looking. I just have a very strict catch-and-release rule. Unfortunately, the dating pool has been full of minnows lately. I’m baiting for shark.”
    That was the truth. Lila wasn’t shallow by any means and the woman was as shrewd as they came. Sure, she let her dad pay her rent, but Lila had plans for her life, and with a business degree under her belt, she was ready to launch a line of to-die-for handbags in the next year. Likewise, she wasn’t about to waste her time on a man-child who aspired to nothing more than working minimum wage jobs and camping out on his buddies’ couches. She was looking for a partner. An equal. But just because she’d baited for shark, didn’t mean she wasn’t doing a little sport fishing for some of those minnows in the meantime.
    â€œWhat’s up, ladies? Can I buy you two a couple of drinks?”
    Mister Two O’clock stepped up to them, all charm and smiles. Tabitha had to admit, he was sort of cute: blond, blue eyes, clean-cut and wearing a nice dress shirt and slacks. Her gaze wandered to his feet, because a guy’s shoes said a lot about him. Leather loafers. This one might actually be gainfully employed. Huh. Wonders never ceased.
    â€œWell, aren’t you a cutie,” Lila said with a slow smile. She extended her hand and he took it in a brief shake. “I’m Lila.”
    â€œCharlie.”
    He didn’t do anything cheesy like kiss Lila’s hand, earning him a couple of points. Tabitha accepted his proffered hand and said, “Tabitha. Nice to meet you.”
    â€œOkay, girls. What are we drinking? I had a stellar day at work and I need someone to help me celebrate.”
    Lila’s gaze warmed. It didn’t take much for Tabitha to make the decision to back off and let her friend take the lead. Maybe the currents had changed and the bigger fish had finally come to the surface from the deep water. “Ooh, tell us all about it.” Lila snatched a tall, circular table that skirted the dance floor and made room for Charlie in-between her and