Free Game On (Entwined Hearts) by Sheryl Nantus

going to brawl with Hunter out in public. The two of them have—” She caught herself before continuing.
    Trying to explain how each man had held himself at bay for three months and was now out to win her over in some strange competition would be awkward, not to mention likely to launch a round of gossip dwarfing anything Glen Barrow had ever seen.
    “All I’m saying is not to get caught in the middle between those two,” her mother said. “There’s no rush. You don’t have to choose one right away.”
    Angela flashed back to her brief conversation with Jenny.
    Why choose just one?
    The thought should have shocked her, embarrassed her beyond belief. But instead of being repelled by the imaginary scenario, Angela felt a surge of curiosity, of desire.
    Maybe—
    The doorbell rang.

    Hunter shuffled his feet back and forth on the porch’s wooden boards, wincing as he heard the creaking and warping under him.
    He couldn’t settle the butterflies in his stomach.
    Despite the bravado he’d shown with her in his office, he was still nervous about taking this first step.
    It was one thing to brag about reviving their old relationship, another to do it.
    Without hurting anyone involved.
    There’s the rub,
he said to himself. If it were anyone else standing between him and a relationship with Angela, he’d tell the guy to suck it up and get out of his way.
    But it was Jake, not some faceless man from Angela’s past.
    He didn’t want to hurt Jake. The man was a good guy, and Hunter would rather have him as a friend than an enemy.
    Competition for Angela’s hand was fine.
    An enemy was a different thing altogether.
    The front door opened.
    “Hunter,” Angela said.
    “Angela.” He took in her appearance, enjoying the sight. She’d worn the right outfit for Annie’s, a perfect pairing of jeans and white blouse. “You look lovely.”
    She blushed, as he’d known she would.
    All these years, and she still can’t take compliments.
    He offered his arm, and Angela stepped out and took it. They walked across the porch and down the steps.
    “My mother’s thrilled,” she said in a low whisper as they stopped at his car. “I suspect she worried I’d be heading for St. Anne’s Convent in a few weeks.”
    “Not on my watch.” He opened the passenger-side door for her. “Although I have had some fantasies about nuns—”
    Her infectious giggle had him grinning all the way to the restaurant.

    Annie’s was busy with both tourists and locals enjoying the thick slabs of meat the eatery was famous for. The building was originally a hunting lodge and had evolved over the years into a fine restaurant, garnering rave reviews and hiring plenty of locals to keep it running.
    Angela hadn’t gone in since her return.
    Now she was here with a man whom she’d known intimately years ago and who knew her.
    And who was in active competition with another man for her heart and body.
    It was hard not to feel both impressed and terrified.
    She managed to get out a dinner order before cupping her soft drink with both hands, wishing she’d asked for a beverage stronger than a diet cola.
    “You okay?” Hunter frowned.
    “No. Yes. Sort of,” she confessed.
    He cocked his head to one side. “Thanks for the clear answer.”
    “I’m just not sure what to make of this.”
    “This?” Hunter asked. “It’s the two of us out on a date.”
    “You know.” She dropped her voice to a conspiratorial tone. “You and Jake and me. All this.”
    Hunter smiled. “Consider it a woman’s greatest fantasy: two men fighting over her.” He stroked her hand. “Doesn’t get much better.”
    Angela couldn’t resist, relaxing into his touch.
    She kept her voice low. “If you think that’s a woman’s greatest fantasy, maybe you need to do more research.”
    The shocked look on his face made her laugh.
    Maybe I can teach you boys some new tricks.

    The steak was fork-tender, the mushrooms dripping with butter, and the baked potato a