Free Fan The Flames (Man Of The Month Book 3) by Michele Dunaway Page B

grinned. “Well, the high rollers pay more to be on the second floor. The rest of the tables are general admission, first come, first served, I guess. This is my first time at this.”
    “Then our first date is an adventure for both of us.” They walked up the wide staircase, and Scarlett was glad he couldn’t see her face. Calling something a first date implied there would be a second.
    As they ascended, they left the first-floor entertainment behind. “There’s supposed to be an acrobatic show before the band begins playing. Heard it’s eighties music tonight.”
    “It all sounds interesting,” Scarlett said, taking in everything as she passed by. They found their table, where they were seated with several other calendar guys and their dates or significant others. Scarlett met so many people, she felt like her head spun. There was Taylor Krebs, the calendar photographer, who was engaged to firefighter Joe Marino. They’d met the day of the shoot, when she’d done Brad’s photos as well. Scarlett also met vet Kat Saunders, who was dating animal task force cop Jack Donovan. She and Jack had met at one of the first calendar balls and bonded over an injured puppy. “We’ll probably see you at a lot of these,” Kat said. “Being that you’re new in town, if you need anything, call me.”
    “I will,” Scarlett promised, the wine and good company allowing her to relax.
    The circus show came complete with aerial acrobatics, and the live band followed. She’d been born in the eighties but still recognized many of the songs, although she wasn’t singing along like many of the older guests were.
    Still, musical era be darned, she hadn’t danced in forever, either, and as the heavy bass beat pumped through her, she wanted to dance. So she grabbed Brad’s hand. “Let’s go dance!”
    “Okay.” They made their way down to the dance floor and joined the crowd waving their hands. The pounding energy was infectious, and she and Brad stayed out for a second, then a third number.
    “This is so great!” Scarlett shouted over the music.
    “I know! Glad you’re having fun.”
    “Oh, I am.” As a slower song began, Scarlett shook her head. “Let’s skip this one. I’m thirsty.”
    They made their way to the edges, headed back to the bar. “Wine again?”
    “Could I have some water too?”
    “Sure.” Brad took a step and turned back when a voice called her name.
    “Scarlett?”
    She also turned, hearing her name. “Scarlett O’Reilly. It is you.”
    “It’s Harrison now,” she corrected, smiling brightly as the man approached. Tried to place him. Beside her, Brad froze. The man held out his hand in greeting. “It’s me. Tommy Rourke. I was, well, still am, a friend of Sean’s.”
    “That’s right! Tommy!” Her smile widened and she shook his hand. He’d gained about twenty pounds. Hair had started to recede.
    “I’m sorry for your loss. Sean told me. My Karen died three years ago. Leukemia. Been a single dad since then. My Kyle is three.”
    “My daughter is four. And I remember Karen,” Scarlett said. His wife had been a perky, bubbly basketball star, the type that you couldn’t hate or envy because she was simply so darn nice. “She was a senior, I think, when I was a freshman.”
    Tommy smiled, pleased she’d remembered. “That’s right, you also went to DuBourg. Sean and I were at SLUH. Karen and I met at one of those mixers. High school sweethearts. Like you and Todd. And this is…”
    Scarlett’s hand flew in front of her mouth, embarrassed. What must Brad think? Beside her, he stood statue still. “Oh, sorry. Tommy, this is Brad Silverman. He and my husband were best friends. He’s technically my landlord. I’m renting his house on Victor. Just off Grand. I moved back a few weeks ago.”
    “Really? That’s not too far from me. Just a few blocks south, if that. St. Pius, right?”
    “Yes.” Living in San Diego for the past ten years, she’d forgotten just how much St.