News Boy - Susan Hawke Page 0,14

lunch as a foursome, I planned to do it as a grown-up. Deciding to be nice, I smiled and said "thank you" instead. As we headed for the car, I couldn't help but think he'd probably looked mighty fine in his army olive drabs. I stole another peek at him as we walked.

Oh, yeah. His tanned, muscular body and short blond hair would've been super hot in camo. When my mind drifted toward dress uniforms, I almost had to fan myself.

Lunch ended up being pleasant, and I learned something new about Jim when he and Brody swapped service stories about food. Instead of being in the spotlight, I was strangely content to listen for a change. I was so distracted by the chunky salsa I was scooping onto a chip, I didn't notice anything was off until the atmosphere got tense, and I felt a strange hand on my shoulder.

Naturally, I freaked out, and my hand jolted. My chip went flying, splashing salsa all over the table. My heart was racing too fast to care. It was only when Brody's hand rested on my arm that I began to calm. Narrowing his eyes, he glared over my shoulder. "It's okay, Neil. It's nothing but your neighbor, popping up again."

His tone confused me, but I chalked it up to him being overprotective and looked at the newcomer with a friendly smile. "Dylan, such a nice surprise. What brings you to Old Town?"

With a self-deprecating smile, Dylan ignored everyone else, focusing his attention entirely on me. "Lunch, what else? Neil, I'm so sorry I startled you. I was sitting alone at my little table in the far corner and simply had to come say hello when I spotted you. It wouldn't be very neighborly if I didn't, right?"

Brody answered before I could. "Unless Neil had no idea you were here in the first place."

"Be nice, Brody. Dylan is a friend, remember?" I jerked my hand free of his hold and twisted to see where Dylan’s table was. When I didn't find it, I reluctantly had to agree Brody had a point. "You must have eagle eyes, Dylan. I can't even see your chair from here."

Dylan smiled tightly. "The plants on the low wall are blocking your view. I was only trying to be polite because you're eating. Truth be told, I noticed you on my way back from the men's room."

I snickered, understanding now why he'd tried to be polite. "I hate to think of you eating alone. I'd offer to have the waiter move you over here, but I’m afraid there wouldn’t be much room."

Gently patting my shoulder, Dylan winked. "I’m quite well, Neil. Enjoy your meal. I'll be fine as paint. Perhaps one of these days you'll make it up to me by letting me take you to lunch. Or dinner. My schedule is open. Let me know."

"I'll have to check my calendar," I answered honestly. A shared meal with a friend was fine, but I had a feeling he was trying to ask me out. I was pretty sure Dylan had no clue about the kind of relationship I was searching for, and he wasn't exactly my type. I preferred big, muscular men. Daddy types. Men like… Brody.

I was trying to think of a polite way to end the conversation when Brody did it for me. "Since you've said hello, we'll let you get back to your lunch. Thanks for stopping by, Dylan. Neil, you need to eat up so we can make it to your appointment." With that, he went back to his food as if Dylan wasn't still standing there.

Dylan's lips pressed together in clear annoyance. Then he turned back to me and smiled again. "I believe I’m dismissed. It’s all well and good. I see the waiter headed toward my table with my food. Enjoy the rest of your meal. I'm sure I'll catch you in passing back at home."

After he walked away, I glared at Brody again. "You really need to quit being so rude to my neighbor."

Brody was sitting stiffly with his head held high, tracking Dylan's departure. When he finally glanced back at me, he shrugged unapologetically. "If you're asking me to apologize, it's not gonna happen. The guy seems friendly, but something about him doesn't sit right with me. And since I'm here to protect you, I'm going to. Get over it."

My head whipped in Jim's direction. "Do you see what I'm dealing with? Ugh. If he wasn't so uptight, I'd almost