Free Hate at First Sight by Diana Nixon

friend?
    “We agreed to meet here.”
    Now, that was something that immediately piqued my interest. “Really? She didn’t tell me about your meeting.”
    The guy flinched from the murderous look I gave him. And I was sure Owen would justify the motives for the murder that I was seconds from committing right on his porch.
    “Um … are you guys dating or something?” The asshole had a nerve to ask the most stupid questions ever.
    “Yes,” I replied without hesitation. “Do you have a problem with that?”
    “Don’t get me wrong. But I don’t think you are good enough for her.”
    You’ve got to be kidding me….
    “And why would you think that?” I crossed my arms, trying really hard to suppress the wild desire to punch the guy’s lights out.
    “Isn’t it obvious?”
    “Not really.” I was at the end of my patience.
    “She’s smart and beautiful, and good-natured, and you are … well, just a spoilt guy that never did a thing to get what your parents gave you.”
    I laughed aloud. “So that’s what you think about me? Seriously?” I took a step closer. “The truth is that you are simply jealous.” There was no point in trying to change his opinion about me. I didn’t give a damn about what he thought. “And you know what? Megan will never look at someone like you. Because she likes men who can protect her and take care of her, and not just guys who still read adult magazines under the blanket.”
    Jeff turned pink from head to toe, and I didn’t know whether it was due to the truth he heard from me, or due to the anger that he felt. Anyway, I knew that he got my point. He turned around and left in a hurry.
     
    “Hey, you are back!” Owen stood at the threshold. “How was the meeting?”
    “Great. I did everything I needed to do and came back here, knowing how much you needed me.”
    “So very true,” he said tiredly. “I think I need a few hours away from this madhouse. How about a drink?”
    “Good idea.” I nodded and the two of us went back to my car.
     
    “So what did I miss?” I asked my friend. “I hope it doesn’t have anything to do with Annabel?”
    “Not even close. It’s about my mother’s crazy ideas of finding Megan a husband.”
    My grip on the wheel tightened. “I don’t see any problem with that. Megan is a big girl. She will find a husband when she needs one.”
    “That’s what I told my mom. But she still thinks that we need to help her. By the way, my sister’s going to be your date at the wedding. Mary’s maid of honor’s not coming, and Megan’s going to replace her.”
    At least some good news, I thought to myself.
    “Is there anything else you want to talk about?” I knew Owen well enough to see that something was bothering him.
    “Megan was g oing to the club tonight, and our mother sent a few guys there ‘To entertain our girl’ .”
    “Oh, dear….”
    “Exactly.”
    “Do you know what club she was going to?”
    “Yeah, The Blue Laguna . Why?”
    “Your sister obviously needs our help.” I s miled at my friend and turned down the street where The Blue Laguna was.
     
    The club was half-empty. A few dozen people were dancing, and half of the chairs near the bar were empty.
    My eyes immediately found Megan. She was in the company of two girls I didn’t know. They took one of the farthest tables, where the sound of music was not so loud. A few guys were sitting at the table next to theirs, and I was wondering if they were those whom Owen’s mother sent.
    One of the guys took his glass, came to Megan’s table, and took a seat next to her. To my surprise, she didn’t mind him joining her. He outstretched his hand saying something into her ear, she giggled and shook it. And why would I think that she didn’t like men’s attention? Right now, she seemed to be enjoying it a lot.
    Owen said he wanted to buy a drink, so he went to the bar, and I stayed at the entrance watching his sister.
    She looked amazing, as always. And I couldn’t