Free Déjà Date by Susan Hatler Page B

hard to be intimidated by someone who’s wearing a facial masque. Know what I’m saying?”
    A tiny laugh escaped as I realized, ironically, how hard Mary Ann was trying to include me in the group, even though I was resisting emphatically. I slowed my car to make a right turn, realizing that somewhere along the way Mary Ann had become my friend.
    My eyes blurred and I blinked back the tears. I pulled into mom’s driveway, swiping under my eyes as I came to a stop. “A spa night is a great idea and I appreciate you thinking of me. Please do invite Ellen. I . . . hope she comes.”
    Mary Ann let out a whoop. “Excellent. We’re going to have a lot of fun. I’d better go now. I have a hot date with someone new.”
    I laughed, because it seemed like Mary Ann only dated a guy once or twice, before she moved on to the next one. “Have fun, and don’t break his heart.”
    Speaking of broken hearts, my mind immediately raced to Nate. Even though I promised myself to keep things with him on the “friends” level, something still echoed inside me that he might disappear again. But he seemed sincere in his promise, so I should try to trust him again.
    Besides, I had enough on my plate right now. Convincing my mom to front my inheritance money would be no easy feat, but I had to try.
    Ruff! Ruff!
    My little hot dog’s tail whipped back and forth rapidly and my gaze followed hers. The front door of my mom’s house opened and my mom walked out with a younger guy with a fabulous physique. What the . . .?
    That’s when I noticed the motorcycle parked ahead of me in the driveway. Nate. What in the world was he doing here?

Chapter Six
    Sitting behind the wheel of my car, I stared at Nate and my mom who were deep in conversation on her tiny front porch. They didn’t seem to notice me parked in the driveway, and I wondered what they could possibly be talking about so intently. Had Nate dropped by just to say hi to her? Had he come by to see me? Although, that made no sense since I didn’t live here anymore.
    Whatever the reason, Nate’s being here was problematic for two reasons. First, I needed to beg and plead that my mom advance me my inheritance, since those potential buyers were coming to the bakery on Friday, and I couldn’t very well do that with Nate (or any other witness) standing nearby. And second, Nate stood facing my mom at the front door, giving me way too good a view of his backside, which caused my belly to go up in flames.
    I’m sorry, but it really should be against the law for him to wear jeans that snug. How did he expect me to stay “just friends” with him when he looked that hot? It was so not my fault that I wanted to slide my hands over every inch of him and feel his rippling muscles. My mind immediately flashed to our delicious kisses the other night, leaving me wanting a repeat right here, and right now. . . .
    Focus, Melinda.Focus!
    I shook my head, knowing I could not lose Bernie’s Bakery. Customer service work would make me even more miserable now that I’d tasted what it was like to be at my dream job.
    Mentally pumping myself up to convince my mom to advance the money, I got out of the car, walking my wiener dog along beside me using the leash Sarah had loaned me until I had the time to buy —make that charge on my credit card— a collar and leash of my own.
    Ruff! Ruff!
    My four-legged hot dog raced toward the porch, yanking so hard on the leash that her collar tightened around her neck and she started gasping. Not that this slowed her down at all. Despite what had to be a terribly uncomfortable position, she continued thrusting forward until she came close enough to jump obsessively on Nate’s pant leg.
    Ruff! Ruff!
    Without flinching, he stared down at my little yipper with his gorgeous jade-green eyes framed with long dark lashes—ah, I remember when I had a calmer less complicated life—then his gaze caught mine as I approached. “Hey, Melinda.” His eyes lit up. “Does this