Free Ineligible Bachelor by Kathryn Quick

shrugged. “I dunno. Maybe.”
    Stunned, Freddy could only stare openmouthed at him.
    “I am stuck here, so maybe I should try to make the best of things. I mean, I would never have met women like this if it hadn’t been for you entering my picture in the contest. I tend to stick to the same type of girl.”
    “And what type would that be?” she asked in a small voice.
    He tilted his head and shook his finger at her. “Oh, no you don’t.”
    “Don’t what?”
    “You don’t actually think I’m going to spell it out for you.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because if I do, you won’t have as much work to do over the next few weeks. I think I would like to be entertained as long as I have to be here, and watching you figure out who stays and who goes could turn out to be a lot of fun.”
    “Fun? It was like auction day at Christie’s, and you were up for bidding like a piece of art or something.”
    Logan flexed his bicep. “I am fine.” He couldn’t stop the laughter. “But seriously. We’ve known each other a long time. You know me, know what I like.”
    She
so
did not want to go down this road with him because that particular road did not lead to her.
    “Besides,” he continued, “if I tell you, what will you do with the points? Your scoring system would get out of whack.”
    “Not to me.”
    He took a step toward her and tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear with his forefinger. “Tell you what. Forget the points, and just do what feels right,” he said with a wry smile.
    What felt right to her would be running for the hills with Logan in tow. There had to be a way out of this. She just needed time to find it. “As long as you let me do what I’m supposed to do and not fight me on any decision, I promise you that when I’m done, you’ll be happy.”
    “Sounds like you’re already on track.”
    She shook her head. “No. I’m not. I’m making this up as I go along. It would be a heck of a lot easier if I did have a Goth girl or the stereotypical biker chick here, but I don’t, so it makes my job a lot harder.”
    He raised an eyebrow. “You’d pick one of those for me?”
    “Yep.”
    “Why?”
    “Ratings,” she said before walking to the door where she stopped and turned back to face him. “Don’t stay up too late. Tomorrow is the first group date, and you’re going to need all the rest you can get.”

“Where are we going?” Logan asked, getting into the waiting limo and finding Freddy already there.
    “It’s a surprise.”
    The car took off. “Where are my dates?”
    “Probably already at the site.”
    “Site of what?”
    “Your group date.”
    The quirk on her lips gave her away. He wasn’t getting any information until they got to wherever they were going. He reached into the small fridge and pulled out a bottled water. “What’s up with all the secrecy? Why won’t you tell me what’s planned?” He took a long swig, waiting for her answer.
    “Hand me one,” Freddy asked, reaching out.
    Logan grabbed her wrist. “Not until you tell me what’s going on. The note that came with the breakfast tray this morning just said dress for sports. Are we playing football?”
    “Not this time, but it is a thought.”
    He let her wrist go and got the water she wanted. “If you want me to teach six beautiful women how to tackle, I’m in.”
    “I think I can handle that, remember? But not today.”
    “So why won’t you tell me where we are going?” He raked her with a look, taking in her T-shirt, jeans, and sturdy brownshoes that were a cross between sneakers and hiking boots. Her hair was back in a ponytail, and she had on the barest amount of makeup—some mascara and pink lip gloss that made her mouth look amazing. She didn’t need all the makeup the artists put on her last night. She looked equally as great this morning without it. “If not football, then what?”
    Freddy shrugged. “I guess it couldn’t hurt to tell you. We’re almost there anyway. We’re all going