Page 10 of Fast Break

Ten

Charlie

I help Palmerout of the car and lead her around the side of the barn. An older woman with a long silver braid greets us."Hi, Charlie."

"MissAnnabelle."I kiss her cheek. I step back and put my hand on Palmer's back."This isPalmer.Palmer, this isMissAnnabelle."

PalmershakesMissAnnabelle's hand."Lovely tomeetyou."

"I've heard so much about you,"MissAnnabelle says."It's nice to meetyou finally."

"You have?"Palmerturns quizzical eyes my way.

I glance away and rub the back of my neck."I might have mentioned you once or twice. Along with other people from work."

Palmersuppresses agrinasMissAnnabelle leads us into the barn.

Though barn isn't an accurate description.

Annabelle and her husband have converted the building into an elegant country restaurant.

A dozen tables covered in pristine white cloths dot the space.

Overhead, white string lights crisscross through the beams, while bronze sconces bathe the area in a warm glow.

Along one side stretches a polished oakbar, stocked withtop-tier alcohol lined up along mirrored shelves.

In the back, a cutout in the wallgivesa glimpse of the stainless steel kitchen behind it.

"This is beautiful,"Palmersays, looking around."Thebaris gorgeous."

"Thankyou."MissAnnabelle gestures toward me."Well,thankCharlie'sbrother,Matt. He custom-built thebar."

"So when's the big opening?"I ask, admiring the scrollwork on the molding.Mattreally is good. Not that I'd tell him–his ego is big enough.

"Next week."MissAnnabelle leads us to the only table set with crystal, china, and silverware and motions for us to sit down. Ipullout the chair forPalmer, then take the one next to her.

"Wait,"Palmersays, turning in her seat."Is this The Barn? I heard a story about your opening. Chef Nate Faulkner helped design your menu."

"That's right,"MissAnnabelle says, pride shining from her eyes."We were lucky to get his help."

"MissAnnabelle is gracious enough to let us be a test case before they open,"I explain.

"We aren't fully stocked yet and the bartender doesn't begin until next week, so aside from sparkling or still water, I can offer you a Pinot Grigio or Cabernet from a local vineyard.

Palmerorders a Pinot.MissAnnabelle turns to me."Charlie?"

"I'll have the same,thanks."

AfterMissAnnabelle leaves to get our drinks,Palmerleans her elbows on the table, her eyes wide and her amazing tits on full display.

"I can't believe I'm going to be one of the first people to eat at The Barn.

My parents will die. I know they made reservations but couldn't get an opening for a couple of months. "

I drag mygazeaway from herchestand to her eyes, but that doesn't do much to help my scrambling brain. Looking into her eyes is like looking into a tropical sea, the light gold ring around the iris an island I could happily live on for the rest of my life. Damn .Mattis right. I am whipped.

"Charlie?"Palmergiggles."Are you listening to me?"

I blink and dip my head, giving her a sheepishgrin."I was momentarily distracted. You have the most beautiful eyes."

Her lips part. A lovelypinkblush blooms in her cheeks. She dips her head as she tucks her hair behind her ears."They're weird. Butthankyou."

"What?"I'm stunned."They're not weird, they're gorgeous. Unique. Who would ever tell you otherwise?"

She glances at me, then darts her eyes away. Anger sparks and simmers in mystomach."It was the prick you were dating."

Palmertakes in a sharp breath, then forces a smile."Actually, no. But I don't want to talk about them or him. Or even think about any of it."She takes my hand.

I squeeze."Listen. There is nothing weird about you. Your eyes, your smile, your body–Palmer, you're a walking wet dream."

Her lips part again, her eyes darkening while a delicious flush colors herchest. This is arousedPalmer, and I like her a hell of a lot more than embarrassedPalmer.

I'm seconds from suggesting we blow offdinnerso I can take her somewhere toshowherexactlyhow sexy she is whenMissAnnabelle returns with our drinks.

"It's a fixed menutonight,"she says."Based on what we have available on the farm.

We have braised sausage and fennel, or, if you prefer meatless, we have wild mushroom mezzalune in a creamy garlic alfredo.

Both served with homemade sourdough and a fresh garden salad.

All main ingredients sourced from right here on the farm. "

"They both sound so good,"Palmersays, her eyes lighting up.

"We'll have one of each,"I say."Then we can share."

"Perfect."MissAnnabelle claps her hands together."It'll be out shortly."

After what can only be described as the best meal I've ever eaten, with the bestdinnerdateI've ever had, we say our goodbyes toMissAnnabelle with compliments to the chef and leave.

"This has been great,Charlie,"Palmersays. She reaches her hand over the console and I take it, interlacing our fingers.

"It's not over yet,"I inform her with a wink.

"Are we going back to my place?"sheasks, the hopeful excitement in her voice almost making me forget my plans.

"One more stop. Trust me, you'll love it."I wink at her.

Ipullinto the parking lot of a strip mall and help her out of the car."What is this place?"sheasks, looking up at the sign above the door of the first storefront."ShatterZone?"

"You'll see."Iholdopen the door and follow behind her. The girl at the desk inside greets us with a smile."Welcome to ShatterZone. Do you have a reservation?"

"Yes, for Salinas."

The girl checks on the computer, then hands over two passes."You are in room three. Down the hall and on your right. Lisa will help you put on the safety suits."

"Great.Thanks."I take Palmer's free hand and lead her down the hall.

"Uh, safety suit?"Palmerraises a brow at me. I chortle.

"Just wait."

I open the door to room three and we step inside a small vestibule. Another young woman is inside unfolding a white Tyvek suit. She looks up and smiles at us.

"Hi. You must bePalmerandCharlie. Do you have your passes?"

I hand over the cards, and after taking a cursory glance at them, shegiveseach of us one of the suits.

We climb into them and zip them up. Lisa helps us put up our hoods andslidea plastic face shield over our heads.

Then she puts thick rubber gloves on each of us and hasPalmerdon a pair of rubber boots over her sandals. "No open-toe shoes,"she chirps.

Palmergivesme one more questioning look before Lisa opens another door at the back of the vestibule. She ushers us inside.

"Feel free to use whatever tool you'd like.

We have bats, clubs, pipes–your choice. When the light turns red,"she points to a fixture above the door currently blinking green,"your time is up.

As soon as the light turns solid green, you canstart.

Have a smashing time!"She waves and then slips out the door.

Palmerturns in a circle and takes in the room full of glass. Crystal vases, porcelain dishes, mirrors, and shelves full of other glass artifacts are waiting to be smashed to smithereens."You brought me to a rage room?"

The light turns solid green. Ipickup a bat and nod at her to choose her weapon."I thought you might have some residual rage you wanted to get rid of."

Palmer's face glows and even behind the warped plastic shield, I can see her huge smile."I love it."

She hefts one of the lightweight pipes and raises it above her head. She cracks her neck from side to side."Let's do this."