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He grimaced, wishing his friendship skills extended to relationships. Maybe he would have had better luck.
His hand instantly went to his cell phone where another voice mail waited from Janine. He didn’t expect it to be much different from the first one.
“Shoot,” he encouraged now.
“Okay. I’ve given you a brief rundown on how quickly Lazarus has grown in such a short time. And with that, comes growing pains. Most notably, we’re attracting some high-profile contracts I’m sometimes afraid we’re not prepared for yet. This one falls solidly into that category.” He paused. “There’s an ex-general, now a political radio pundit, coming into town the day after tomorrow for a three-day stay, including two public rallies. We’ve been hired to handle security for the public end of his schedule—transportation, et cetera—in cooperation with his personnel and local law enforcement. While I’m sure we can handle it, well, it would be stupid not to utilize our assets. And I see you as a definite asset in this case, what with your background and your connections.”
He nodded. “Go on.”
“Well, in a nutshell, I was wondering if you would consider sitting in as co-lead on this one?”
Mace sat back, carefully considering what Dari was saying … and not saying. His friend went on to share some additional details, such as the name of the dignitary. He was familiar with the guy. Hell, nearly everyone in the western hemisphere was familiar with him, if only because of his skill at gaining attention, usually by exhibiting offensive behavior.
“Okay, I get the military connections and the growing pains. But this job sounds pretty run-of-the-mill, tooling around with a political celebrity. What is it you’re not telling me?” Mace asked.
“There have been threats.”
“Threats.”
“Yes. Specific to his visit here.”
For the past few years, Mace’s military career focus had been counter-terrorism, so this was right up his alley. But …
“And …?” he led.
Dari chuckled and pointed a finger at him. “Never could get anything by you. Truth is, these threats are serious enough to concern his security personnel and serious enough to concern me.” He checked the cell phone he had on the table next to his wrist. “And … well, if I’m hoping that by pulling you in on this job, it’ll convince you to sign on with us when your tour’s over in six months … that’s between me and the wall.”
Mace considered him.
Dari grinned. “Did I mention that it won’t hurt business to have a Navy Cross recipient on board with us? No? Well, then there’s that.”
He grimaced at the reminder.
“By the way, Megan and I are looking forward to attending the ceremony Saturday.”
“You’re going?”
“Of course, I’m going. My ass is part of the reason you’re getting the sucker. What makes you think I wouldn’t be there?”
He took a deep breath.
“I plan to sit up front and center.”
“Refill, gentlemen?” a knockout blonde smiled at him suggestively as she held up a coffeepot.
Mace found himself looking for the pretty brunette even as he and Dari held up their cups. The waitress topped them off then hovered for a moment before finally moving away.
“You didn’t even look at her,” Dari said.
“Sure I did. She’s too young and too …”
“Eager?”
“That, too.”
They shared a laugh.
“Okay,” he said.
“Okay what?”
“Okay, I’ll do it. Where do you want me when?” He laughed and looked around the diner again.
There she was.
He found himself relaxing in to the booth as the waitress who’d garnered his attention came through the kitchen door looking even more attractive.
She brought their meals quickly despite the busyness of the place. They ate while Dari outlined the specifics of the assignment.
This beat the hell out of staring at the cracks in his motel room ceiling, feeling guilty about not spending more time at his parents’ any day.
And it made him forget about those shadow hands pressing against his neck for a much-needed while.
Mace’s gaze followed their waitress where she bussed the table next to theirs, even as another couple moved to occupy it. She was calmly efficient and attentive, smiling warmly despite the obvious crowdedness of the diner as she took their drink orders.
He couldn’t help noticing that there was a guy about his age seated at the counter who kept trying to get her attention for more than a second at a time … and that she did everything politely possible to avoid giving it to him.
She briefly glanced in his direction and their gazes met, inspiring something a little more than respect in his response to her.
He smiled and she returned it before she moved on to another table then went back into the kitchen.
Oh, he’d bet she was the type who’d be up for anything, any time. A challenge, a new experience, a new restaurant, it wouldn’t matter; she’d be in … and make it doubly worth it just by being there.
“Okay, I’d better get moving,” Dari said, edging from the booth. “Megan’s already at The Barracks.” He stood, pocketing his cell phone. “Thanks for agreeing to come in on this job for me, Mace. You have no idea how much of a relief it will be having you aboard.”
“You haven’t seen what I charge for babysitting a political big mouth yet.”
“Whatever it is, I’m sure you’ll be more than worth it.” He peeled off a couple bills to pay for his half of the meal. “Sure you won’t change your mind and join us for a drink?”
“I’d rather step directly into enemy fire.”
“I believe you would.” They shook hands and agreed to meet at Lazarus the following morning, then Dari left.
Mace sipped on his coffee and watched his friend through the front window of the diner, even as more customers approached.
He glanced around. The place was more than busy, it bordered on chaotic. At different times, he was aware of a woman swearing in the kitchen, a couple of tables complaining about the lateness of their meals and from what he could tell, there wasn’t a busboy to be found.
His cell phone vibrated in his pocket. He fished it out to find Janine’s name highlighted again. He sat and watched the screen blink until her call finally rolled over to voice mail.
Why was she being so persistent?
He couldn’t even begin to guess. So he didn’t try.
He slid the cell back into his pocket without checking the message.
“Dessert?” the pretty waitress asked.
He looked up at her. Despite everything, she managed to treat him as if he was her only customer, where the other waitress practically shooed people from the tables the instant they took their last bite.
“Trudy’s chocolate marshmallow pie is the house specialty.”
He took her in, noticing how the world seemed to rush around her in a blur while she stood perfectly still.
Of course, that could be just him.
The vintage jukebox in the corner. Definitely the jukebox. He’d play a song—an old one—pull her into his arms … lean her against the machine and work his hand up her skirt to find out just how sweet those thighs and what lay between them were … watch her smile melt into a sexy sigh.
“Maybe later,” he said.
He didn’t detect any flicker of disappointment that he wasn’t leaving to free up the table for another diner.
“And only if you promise to have a piece with me. It’ll be my price for having leant a hand …”
THREE HOURS LATER, Geneva was even more impressed with Mace Harrison than when he had first slid from the booth, introduced himself, then asked for an apron and bussing tub.
What guy did that?
None that she knew of.
And certainly not a complete stranger. She’d verified he was new in town since none of the staff nor Trudy could remember seeing him in there before, much less knew him.
And certainly not a completely hot stranger who made her feel like a wanted woman instead of the host of other titles to which she’d grown accustomed lately.
Refusing his generous offer hadn’t even entered her mind. Truth was, they were busier than she could ever remember being and Trudy’s usually easily dismissed sounds of dismay had begun turning into very real ones.
Mace had been as good as gold, a natural as Mel had noted, his sheer size and impressive presence not interfering with his assisting without being asked, and doing at least two of the jobs for which they were short staffed, lightening the load for the rest of them.
Was he military? She guessed yes. And that normally would have counted as a strike against him in her personal notebook, considering her experience with members of the armed forces.
But what had happened tonight was anything but normal.
And what was happening to her fell solidly into the same category.
Finally, one by one, satisfied customers began to ease to a workable trickle, and then the staff began to leave, including Trudy herself, who begged off with a migraine. Thankfully, Dustin had given up trying to corner her an hour ago and left, as well. Only Mel remained. But seeing as closing time was in ten minutes, he had only one order to finish up and she knew he’d be leaving, too, as he always did to get home quickly to his wife and family.
Now, as Mace stood spraying dishes to go into the washer, she couldn’t help staring at his hands. He’d rolled up the sleeves of his crisp white shirt while the full-body white apron covered the front from his chest down to his knees. If his feet hurt in his dress shoes, she couldn’t tell, even though he’d been on his feet all night.
Her own dogs were barking loudly and she wore the equivalent of gym shoes.
Geneva absently wrapped up the little that remained of the meat loaf and mashed potatoes, not realizing she was still staring at Mace until he asked, “Did I spill something?”
She met his gaze, reading the telltale grin there, then smiled herself. “Sorry. It’s been a long day.”
Tiffany had left in a huff about the same time Dustin had, apparently disappointed that her obvious flirting wasn’t gaining her any more attention from the unhired help than Mel got.
Actually, Geneva was pretty sure she’d gotten less.
Interesting. Not many men were capable of refusing the pretty blonde’s charms at normal speed, much less when she amped them up. And she’d definitely set her sights on Mace.
A few minutes later, Mel removed his apron and grabbed his jacket. “Well, it’s that time again, kids.”
Geneva held up the paper bag she’d readied for him and he took it, giving her a loud kiss on the cheek.
“Thanks, doll. See you on the morrow.”
“Tell Alice hi.”
“Will do. ‘Night.”
“‘Night.”
And just like that it was only her and Mace.
Well, and three people at two tables in the other room.
He finished up the dishes while she closed the last of the garbage bags then washed her hands.
“How about that pie?” he asked.
“How about it? Take a seat at the counter. I’ll join you in a minute.”
“Deal.”
She watched as he did as suggested, trying hard not to stare at his tight rear end and failing.
All right, she could be forgiven this once, right? For being selfish? For being needy?
For being a woman?
She went about wrapping up and putting away a few other items. It had been a long day. Still, strangely she didn’t feel tired.
She peeked around the window that opened up into the dining area, catching Mace’s gaze.
“Be right there,” she said.
“Take your time.”
She ducked back away and caught her breath.
