Free Playing for Hearts by Debra Kayn Page B

dinner with John was pleasant. He was attentive and smart and he had a zest for life that was apparent in everything he did.
    Their conversation over dinner had been buoyant as they’d discussed their jobs, their goals, and teased each other, both skirting around the chance to grow more intimate. Still, Shauna couldn’t shake the odd feeling at the pit of her stomach that something wasn’t right.
    The restlessness wasn’t coming from John, but her. She was trying too hard to forget what she already knew. She loved Grayson.
    John stifled a yawn. “Let me help you do dishes, and then I better get home. I hadn’t planned to stay long, and I know we both have to work tomorrow. Is it okay if I pick you up at six o’clock on Saturday?”
    â€œSure. That’ll give me time to do some shopping I’ve been putting off.” She turned around and smiled. “I’m glad you came over, and I can’t wait to go to the country club with you.”
    â€œAre you sure?” He set his plate on the counter, and studied her. “I’m not going too fast, am I? I’m sorta out of practice. I haven’t dated much the last couple of years while I was getting my business set up.”
    â€œYou’re doing everything right.” She patted his chest. “Don’t worry about the dishes. We only dirtied two plates. I can throw them in the dishwasher myself.”
    She followed him to the front door and smiled when he turned around. He grabbed her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed the back of her fingers. When she didn’t protest, he pulled her close, holding her against his body. She still didn’t make any move to stop him as he lowered his lips to hers for a kiss.
    By the time she pushed away all her doubts and concentrated on whom she was kissing, John pulled back. Breathless and shocked over kissing someone else when her mind was on Grayson, she put her fingers to her lips. “I’ll see you Saturday.” John leaned over and kissed her forehead before walking down the pathway to his car.
    She stood in the doorway, watching him get in the vehicle and drive away. More confused than ever, she turned to go back in the house when the loud growl of a motorcycle roared down the street. She stepped forward, excitement filling her more than any kiss. The only person she knew that drove a motorcycle was Grayson.
    A young man she didn’t recognize rode past the house. She sighed, disappointed. Of course it wasn’t Grayson. He was probably in bed with Stephanie, not even caring if she was dating John.

Chapter Nine
    The long week Shauna suffered through accounted for the two empty glasses sitting in front of her. She tapped her fingers along with the music playing at the Quayside, and smiled over the crowd, half listening to Kate describe a rather kinky night of sex with Jackson.
    â€œ … then the park ranger knocked on the window, and I thought Jackson was going to have a heart attack.” Kate wiped the corner of her eye. “Of course, Jackson’s body was covering me but his white ass was blocking the window.”
    Shauna leaned forward. “Sex in the car? How high schoolish.”
    â€œHey, don’t knock it, mean girl.” Kate waved Gretchen, the waitress, over. “Another round of the same, please.”
    â€œSure thing, girls.” Gretchen eyed Shauna and crossed her arms. “You know, your message is still in the men’s restroom.”
    â€œMy what?” Shauna frowned.
    â€œCall Shauna for a good time … over the second urinal.” Gretchen grinned. “You should’ve seen all the messages that the men started writing underneath.”
    â€œOh God.” She covered her cheeks. “I forgot all about that.”
    â€œWhat did they write?” Kate leaned forward. “Maybe we should go in there and have us a laugh.”
    Gretchen shook her head. “Too late. Grayson finally noticed