Page 47 of Radar

Eddie turned to her. “We won’t be long. It’s too cold for me, too, if I’m out there for more than a couple of minutes.” Eddie flicked a glance toward the giant on the leather couch. “You’re okay?”

“I’m fine.”

Eddie bumped into her. “If you need company, you could always wander over to warm yourself in front of the fire and give the guy an opportunity to say hi.”

She waggled her fingers as they headed out the door. “I’ll consider it.”

She didn’t have time to consider it.

As soon as Eddie and Paca moved away, a new guy stepped forward, picking up a stool and setting it back down in such a way that Elyssa felt like he was boxing her in.

She turned away from him and reflexively rested her hand over her glass. “Can I help you?” Elyssa asked as the man sat down, facing her. She’d pitched her voice to shut him down before he even got started.

“Thought I’d be friendly,” he said with a slow smile that looked like it had been practiced in the mirror, perhaps refined for social media. She imagined he was one of those men who pulled off his shirt and chopped wood with his well-oiled and meticulously trimmed beard. He was looking at her hand on her drink. “Welcome to Lumberjack, Alaska. You’re new here.” He lifted his chin toward the bartender. “Beer.”

“I’m with friends,” Elyssa said.

The beer guy looked around. “I don’t see anyone.”

“I’m not interested in a conversation with you,” she said more directly.

“Listen,” he leaned in, “I know that you’re not from around here, and it’s cold out and all. But the frigid bitch act doesn’t do well in this part of the country.”

Elyssa leaned in, too, so he knew she wasn’t intimidated. “Hey, Gaston, you have a bit of something caught in your teeth, just there.” And with her teeth clamped down, she spread her lips wide, digging her nail beside her eye tooth.

Chapter Sixteen

Xander

Saturday

Lumberjack, Alaska

Had he noticed the blonde-haired woman with the delicate features and the men flocking around her at the bar?

He had.

Had he pretended to read his book while he watched her watch him?

Yup.

Did he notice the new guy’s approach went over like a lead balloon?

Yeah, and whatever she said to him, dropped the guy’s testosterone through the floor to the basement. It had Xander grinning behind the pages of his book.

Now did he see her, drink in hand, heading his way?

Absolutely.

So did Radar. Radar lifted himself to a sitting position, striking his most regal pose.

Xander looked down to catch Radar’s gaze, and he would swear Radar was telegraphing the message that he was doing his best to be a good wingman.

“Good job, buddy,” Xander said quietly, giving Radar a scritch.

She was definitely heading his way. Xander let his focus drift up to catch her gaze. Did Xander think this woman was interested in him?

Could be.