Page 8 of The Singles Club

“Is he dating anyone?”

“No, but say he’s crushing on someone.” She flopped back into the chair. “And that she’s blonde, beautiful, and supposedly funny and really nice. How could someone compete with that?”

“What’s his name?”

She scratched her temple and cringed a bit, knowing she was caught. “Eli.”

I grabbed a pen out of my purse and wrote down my number. “I have tomorrow morning free if you want to meet for coffee, and we’ll come up with a plan.”

Becky beamed, and her eyes lit up. “I’d like that, thanks.”

Crystal nudged Isabella, who was searching through her phone. Isabella set it down and leaned closer. “How about we test your theory right now withyouas the subject?”

“What are you talking about?”

“Let Crystal and me pick your target, and your task is to convince him to go out on a date with you.”

The thought of getting back into the whole dating scene again was a turnoff. Since my breakup, my focus had been on career only.

“I’m leaving for Paris in five weeks. I’m not dating anyone.”

“It’s just one date. You know how to get out of a second if you don’t want one.”

Where was that drink?

“Not happening.”

“Or maybe you’re afraid that we can prove you wrong. That it’s impossible to getanyoneyou want… even a pro like you.”

Heat seared through my chest as Isabella and I did a silent stare-down. I drummed my nails on the table, wanting so badly to do the right thing and ignore her stupid challenge, but the competitive streak in me always won out over common sense. The waiter finally appeared with my wine, and I took a much-needed sip. “Who’s your target?”

She grinned. “My boss.”

I nearly choked on my drink. “Your workaholic boss who you said needs to get laid because he probably hasn’t in the two years you’ve been there?”

“That’s the one.”

“Is he here now?”

“Yup, just sat down at the bar seat markedReserved. The dark blonde on the end.”

His suit was a little outdated, and his hair too perfect, but that jaw and profile were more than yummy.

“You never told me he was good looking.”

Isabella made a face as if slightly repulsed by the idea. “Not my type.”

Crystal laughed. “Yeah, because your type has breasts.”

“Hey, I’m into guys too, I just happen to be more into girls.”

“I’ll need more than one night,” I said, “but Icanpromise that I’ll get his number tonight.”

“Not happening. He dodges all types of women on a daily basis and knows all the tricks. The man is not interested, like at all.”

“Are you sure he’s straight?”

“Yup, he dated before, when I first started working there, but when it didn’t work out, he just stopped altogether.”