Free Two in the Afternoon by Cora Cade

pretty. I bet she could convince you differently.”
    â€œNot a chance, leprechaun.”
    Molly watched Chris as he stalked down the hall. “He’s totally going to let her drive.”
    Before Chris reached the door to exit into the parking area, he called out. “Never going to happen.”
    Cal threw an arm over Molly’s shoulder as they followed in Chris’s wake. “How’d you know Lainey’s got a soft spot for classic cars?”
    Molly snorted, an indelicate laugh bubbling from her. “I didn’t. But I do know she’s partial to one sexy architect.”
    â€œNo way. She likes her men a little more…manly.”
    Molly slanted him one of her patented looks. The one that implied he was the densest man she’d ever come in contact with. “Then you’re not paying attention. Chris is a total guy’s guy. Just because he doesn’t cart around weapons for a living doesn’t make him any less manly .” She rolled her eyes at him before going on. “The man is sex on a stick, covered in chocolate without calories. Women line up to drop their panties for him.”
    Well, the woman had a way with words. None of it he wanted to hear for crying out loud. “Not Lainey. She doesn’t go for pretty boys.”
    Molly tilted her face up to his as she stood on tiptoe to offer a quick kiss. Cal was struck by how stunning she was as he closed the distance to her lips. As she pulled away and dropped back to her feet she said, “Bet me.”
    And with a quick pat to his ass she left him standing in the hall feeling like he’d just taken a punch to the gut.

Chapter Nine
    Molly felt a little sorry for Lainey by the time they’d pulled up in front of the restaurant in Mumford. She’s initially been broadsided when they’d arrived with Chris in tow, doing a double-take as she came out of her rental cottage. Chris had turned on the charm immediately, leaving Cal to grumble the entire drive over.
    Thankfully, Lainey was smarter than either of the men were giving her credit for. As they were taking their seats on the patio of the bistro Lainey said, “So, Chris, I ran into your ex, Lexie, the other day.”
    Cal perked up at her words, all ears for what was coming next. Chris, on the other hand, visibly cringed and gave her the side eye before speaking. “She’s not my ex. A couple of dates does not a girlfriend make.”
    Lainey turned in her seat, angling just enough that she looked like she was about to pounce on Chris. “Hmmm… Well, she had clear orders for the new girl in town.” When Chris didn’t respond immediately, Lainey casually returned to her original position and let the subject drop.
    The woman was an evil genius. Both Cal and Chris were watching Lainey sip her water, obviously waiting for her to continue. Instead Lainey looked to Molly with wink and said, “I wanted to ask you some questions about business at the lake.”
    â€œOf course! Anything I can’t answer I’m sure Noah could tackle when he gets back next week from his honeymoon.” Molly slid a glance at Cal, counting down the six or seven more days she would have with him.
    â€œI’m really interested in how businesses stay afloat in the off season here. It seems like summer is obviously the peak tourist time, but how do the locals manage to make it through the leaner months.”
    Cal looked like he was about to interject something and had his mouth half open, a slightly dazed look in his eyes. Molly quickly launched into her response before he could interrupt. “Well, it depends on the business. The pub hires seasonal help during the warmer months, but we stay fairly steady with locals throughout the winter. A lot of the businesses that cater to only tourists close down for the winter. Things like the boat rentals, campgrounds and such.”
    Chris was looking at Lainey with a speculative stare when he