Layover (Open Skies #1) - Becca Jameson Page 0,51

for a nice girl.”

Sweets groaned. “Your mom? Mine’s begun to sulk. I’m thirty-nine. You’re all just babies compared to me.”

“Why don’t you find a nice woman and get married then?” Kraft asked.

“You know any? At my age, it’s harder. The women I meet are usually carrying a truckload of baggage. I’ve tried, but I never make it past the first few dates. The last thing I want to do is sneak out of a woman’s house before her kids wake up.” Sweets shuddered.

“I don’t think any of Libby’s friends have any baggage like that. They’re younger for one thing. You want a sweet girl? I’ll set you up with Bex. She’s the quietest one.”

“That’s perfect for you,” Kraft teased. “Women can’t get a word in edgewise when they’re with you.”

“Ha-ha.” Sweets picked up a chip from the bowl on the table and tossed it at Kraft.

“Okay, matchmaker,” Tank said, “who do you have for me?”

“I think Shayla. She looks elegant and sexy. Perfect features.”

Tank whistled. “Damn. Do it. I’m in.”

Jason glanced around the table at all the expectant faces. “You guys are serious? You want me to set you all up with Libby’s friends?”

“Yes.” The chorus of agreement was funny.

“You gotta be flexible. These ladies are all flight attendants with crazy schedules.”

Everyone nodded.

Kraft stretched his neck to one side and then the other. “See. I’m flexible.”

Everyone threw a chip at Kraft.

Jason laughed. At least he was no longer sulking about what to do about Libby. He wasn’t sure all her friends would really take him up on his offer, but he could try. They were the ones to originally suggest his matchmaking skills. As long as no one held him responsible for their possible future failures, he didn’t care.

Christa was the easiest one. She lived with Libby. He’d seen her several times. He hoped Kraft wouldn’t trounce on her and scare her off in five minutes.

Bex and Shayla had been in the condo one night when he’d picked up Libby. Had they been joking when they insinuated they wanted him to set them up too? Shayla was flirty and funny. She’d done most of the talking. Bex was shy and quiet. She might have agreed with her friends just to not be left out of the banter. She was the biggest wild card.

“Okay. No promises. But I’ll ask.”

Kraft grabbed the cards and started shuffling. “Are we going to play or plan future dates here?”

“Wait,” Tank interrupted. “Hatch didn’t tell us about this guy Libby was dating. What’s up with that?”

Jason groaned. “Name’s Eddie. They had the one date. One. And the man won’t leave her alone. He sent her roses for nearly two weeks and then he sent her a dress that in my opinion doesn’t have enough material to leave the house in. If she were mine—and hell, in my mind, she is—I’d never share that much of her skin with other people.”

The guys laughed and Kraft spoke again. “That’s kinda creepy. Have you confronted him?”

“No. Libby doesn’t like people fighting her battles. I’m trying to keep my mouth shut and let her handle it. For now. He keeps texting her every three or four days. And she keeps telling him there isn’t a chance in hell she’ll go out with him again. I’ve read the texts. She’s doing her best.”

“What if things escalate?” Sweets asked.

“Then I’ll be grateful I have three friends who will gladly bring the shovel, bury the body, and not ask questions.” He smiled. He was kidding of course. Sort of. But he did know he could count on his friends if he needed to confront Eddie.

He couldn’t really blame Libby. She tried. The guy was apparently dense or stupid. He was also rich. Jason had looked him up, done some digging online. His family had money. Jason wasn’t sure where it all came from. They owned a business, but whatever they actually did eluded Jason.

He had his suspicions the company wasn’t on the up-and-up, but he hadn’t told Libby. He didn’t want to scare her. He was nervous enough for both of them. But he was paying close attention. If anything began to smell rotten, he would not hesitate to hunt this Eddie guy down and put an end to his freaky obsession.

Chapter 22

“You’re quiet today,” Libby said as she flopped down on a beige couch in the furniture store. “Everything okay?”

Jason nodded. “Yep. Just fine.” He pointed at the sofa. “You think I should go with something neutral like this or something with