Read Online Better Than Chance by Lane Hayes - Free Book Online Page B

dark-wood paneling, crystal chandeliers, and portraits of ancient politicians that grace many of DC’s elegant restaurants.
    I wasrunning a few minutes late, which wasn’t unusual, so I checked to see if Aaron was waiting for me at the bar before I gave my name to the host at the main desk. A quick scan of the bar told me he wasn’t there. I was about to take my cell phone out to send him a text when I spotted none other than Peter Morgan sitting at a high bar table off to the side, nearest the concrete wall at the back. For a moment I wasn’t sure what I should do. Should I say hello? He was alone. Maybe he was waiting for someone. I was irritated at my hesitation. I was overthinking and being an idiot. Of course I should say hello and take the opportunity to thank him for helping me last weekend. And probably apologize for the weekend before.
    He caught my eye and waved a greeting, which solved my internal dilemma. I swallowed hard, hating that I suddenly felt nervous. Maybe my stupid crush was back now that I’d revised my opinion of him. God, I was hopeless. I pasted a smile on my face as I reached his table, extending my hand to shake his outstretched one.
    “Well, wow. I seem to be running into you everywhere in town these days.” Great. I thought I heard a tremor in my voice.
    Peter looked at me quizzically, his dark brow raised in surprise.
    “Actually, I was under the impression I was meeting you here tonight.”
    What? I couldn’t say a word. What was he talking about? He looked blankly at me as though I was the one with the answers.
    “Um….”
    And then it dawned on me. Aaron. That little asshole. He had set us up. I was absolutely going to kill him! I gave a weak chuckle, still at a loss about how to deal with Peter. I decided to throw it back at him. Pretend I had no idea that my friend was a conniving matchmaker who didn’t believe there was such a thing as gay or straight exclusivity. He was a terrible optimist.
    “Why? I’m sorry. I was supposed to meet you?” Cowardly, I know, but I was stalling, and the diversion was giving me the space I needed to regroup and shed my silly bout of nervousness.
    “Your friend called and invited me tonight. He said that you and he wanted to thank me. Not necessary, but… actually he called Monday, but I just got back in town today, so….” His dark eyes surveyed the crowded bar searching for our third party, I guessed. “Aaron, right?”
    “Right. Well… um.”
    Awkward. Fuck. I took my cell out and punched another quick message to Aaron to get the fuck over to the restaurant pronto; then I turned my attention back to Peter. He was dressed in a beautifully tailored navy suit jacket with a crisp white-collared shirt and no tie. I had to do a double take when I saw that he was wearing jeans. I’d never seen him in anything but full suit-and-tie work mode. He was probably wearing jeans when he came to our rescue the other night, but I couldn’t remember in all the excitement. Once again I found myself admiring his effortless style and damn… he made end-of-day stubble look very sexy indeed.
    “Earth to Reynolds.” Peter waved his hand in front of my face, waking me from my trance. I was glad the bar was dark because there was no doubt that I was blushing furiously.
    “Sorry. I was just trying to think what could be keeping Aaron. Uh… well, I just sent him a message, so….”
    “Sit down and order a drink.”
    I couldn’t protest without seeming like a total idiot. I needed to see this through. Whatever it was that Aaron had set into motion. Ugh. I took a deep breath and planted myself in the chair opposite him, giving a short nod of acquiescence. A drink would help. But only one, I cautioned myself. A gorgeous waitress with long honey-colored hair hastened to Peter’s side when he turned to get her attention. I couldn’t help it. I snorted at the overly anxious beeline she made to our table. Peter gave me another one of those funny quizzical