“I still think you ought to do it the old-fashioned way.”
“We’ve been over this before, Genie. I have it all mapped out, and it will go according to my plan. All I have to do is find the right donor.”
“Well, hell, the pickings were pretty slim with the singles agency, and your ad in the classifieds produced even scarier results. You’d be better off haunting bars and personally scouting the candidates.”
“As far as that goes, I may as well choose the next man who walks through the door,” Rachel stated wildly.
Both women turned to look expectantly toward the entrance to the bar. Pushing through the door at that moment was a rotund man with his slacks belted tightly beneath his sagging belly. His large jowls quivered as he turned back to hold the door for a reed-thin woman wearing a peach-colored polyester pantsuit.
Rachel and Genie collapsed backward into their seats in relief.
“Well, maybe the next single man who walks through the door.”
Genie glanced back again hopefully, and then grabbed Rachel’s arm. “Rache. Get a load of what just walked through the door.”
Rolling her head to the side against the vinyl upholstery of the booth, Rachel’s chin sagged as she spotted the object of Genie’s fascination.
“Don’t just sit there. I don’t see a wedding ring. Go get him.”
Closing her mouth, Rachel took inventory of the Adonis filling the doorway, starting at the pointed toes of his cowboy boots. She followed the line of his faded blue jeans stretched snugly over his leanly muscled thighs and trim waist. His shoulders strained against the fabric of the blue chambray shirt tucked neatly into those sinfully tight jeans.
Continuing her perusal upward, she noted a strong, square jaw and lips that were meant to be kissed. His nose was straight, and his eyes were a pale color. Rachel guessed them to be blue to compliment perfectly the beautiful rich wheaten hair curling down to the collar of his shirt. Her eyes finally noted the golden moustache gracing his upper lip, and her heart sank as recognition dawned on her gin-soaked brain.
What was he doing here?
4
“Oh Genie, that’s Jesse Jordan,” Rachel whispered.
“Jesse?” Squinting to get a better look, Genie waved.
Rachel grabbed for her friend’s uplifted hand. “What are you doing?”
“I’m going to ask him to join us,” Genie said, lifting her other hand to attract his attention.
“Oh, please, don’t encourage him. He’s nothing but a flirt.”
“Yes, but he’s a really cute flirt, and I like him.”
As Jesse made his way through the bar, Genie leaned close to Rachel. “So why don’t you go for Jesse? He’d be perfect.”
“No way,” Rachel said with finality.
“Why not?”
“He’s nothing but a playboy. His picture is always in the society news with some blonde bimbo on his arm. Besides, he’s a client, Genie, and I make it a rule...”
“I know, I know, not to fraternize with a client. But Rache, he’s gorgeous. Couldn’t you bend your rule just this once?”
“No, and hush—he’ll hear you.”
Rachel sank low in her seat. Maybe he wouldn’t see her. What could possibly be more embarrassing than having Jesse Jordan catch her ‘scouting for prospects’ at a bar?
She watched, dread forming a cold knot in her stomach as he drew closer, his gaze searching in the dim light. She grabbed frantically for the menu, tucked between the salt and pepper shakers and the wall, and raised it to her face, crouching lower still in her seat. Hiding behind her shield, her heart racing frantically, she nearly screeched when a softly drawling voice spoke over her right shoulder.
“Hi, Genie.”
Rachel grimaced and lowered the menu. There was no escape.
Nodding with a smile for each of the ladies, Jesse asked, “Do you mind if I join you?”
“As a matter of fact...” Rachel began.
“Please do,” blurted Genie, before Rachel completed her sentence.
Sliding in beside Genie, he looked straight across at Rachel, much to her dismay. “So, what brings you ladies to O’Malley’s tonight?”
Genie looked at him, clearly puzzled. “But Jesse, I told you...ouch!” Reaching down, Genie rubbed her leg as Jesse continued to smile across at Rachel.
“Girl’s night out,” Rachel replied, glaring at Genie. “What are you doing here, Jesse? I thought you’d be tired after a full day in front of the camera.”
“Rejuvenated, actually. Nothing like flexing your muscles after having to hold a pose over and over.” As if to demonstrate, he rolled his shoulders and tilted his head in a circular motion to work the kinks out.
Anxious to get rid of him, Rachel tried the tack she’d used on Lenny. “Well, I’m sure you have plans, don’t let us keep you.”
Jesse wasn’t going for it. “No plans. I can think of nothing better to do than spending an interesting evening with two lovely ladies.”
Reaching his arm around Genie, he squeezed her shoulders and smiled over at Rachel. Something about him putting his arm around Genie made Rachel mad. Before she could voice her displeasure and embarrass herself, a voice intruded on their little threesome.
“Miss Taylor, I’m sorry to interrupt, but there was something I wanted to give you.”
Oh no. Lenny Lindeman was back, standing next to her with a small box in his hands. She caught herself before she rudely jerked away.
“Rachel, won’t you introduce me to your friend?” asked Jesse, his face the picture of innocence.
His smile grated on Rachel’s last nerve, and she itched to reach across the table to slap it off.
Jesse stood, extending his hand to the man. “Hi, I’m Jesse Jordan. Won’t you join us?”
Lenny grasped Jesse’s hand, answering as he cringed from the obviously bone-crunching handshake Jesse bestowed on him. “Lenny. Lenny Lindeman.”
Jesse released his hand and motioned to the empty space beside Rachel, “Please have a seat.”
“I’m sure he has much more pressing things to do, don’t you, Mr. Lindeman?” Rachel asked, hopefully.
“No, not really,” Lenny offered quietly.
“Then it’s settled. Have a seat,” Jesse said, motioning for Lenny to sit with Rachel.
“Oh I don’t know...” Lenny began.
“Sit!” Jesse commanded.
Lenny sat.
Rachel slid as far away from Lenny as possible, glaring at Jesse. What the hell is he up to? Can’t he see the man is mentally disturbed? Rachel groaned and shrank into the vinyl seat cushions.
Jesse seemed to be relishing his role as a gracious host. “So Lenny, what do you do for a living?”
“I’m an animal reconstructive engineer.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
“A taxidermist,” Rachel and Genie replied in unison.
“That’s quite interesting.” Jesse’s eyes twinkled, and he winked blatantly at Rachel. “Aren’t you going to open the box, Rachel? I’d be interested in seeing what Lenny brought for you.”
Three pair of eyes turned to Rachel. Trapped, she reached out to peel the brown paper from the outside and eased open the top, afraid of what might jump out.