Free Man of the Month (Willowdale Romance Novel) by Lisa Scott Page B

mother. Brad could be yelling for help, and no one would hear him.”
    “If he’s yelling right now, I don’t think it’ll be for help,” Kate said.
    Jeanne grabbed the rest of the candy bar from her. “You two are no use at all. Except for the chocolate.”
    “I’m sure she’ll tire of him soon,” Tonya said. “If they’re together, it won’t be for long.”
    “But then he could be heartbroken,” Jeanne said.
    “No, I meant, she’ll tire out today. In bed. She doesn’t look like she has much stamina,” Tonya clarified. “They wouldn’t be doing the deed for long.”
    Jeanne groaned. “I’ve got to put a stop this.”
    “Maybe it would be good for you if he wasn’t available,” Kate said softly. “I know, I know, not that you like him. I’m just saying.”
    Tonya nodded.
    “Fine. But if he doesn’t show up for work tomorrow, we’re storming the O’Hara place like it’s the War of the States all over again,” Jeanne promised.

Chapter 8
     
    BRAD DIDN’T show up to work the next morning, but he did call. “Jeanne, can you handle the lunch orders today?”
    This was a first. She sank onto a stool, sipping her coffee—the special Hawaiian blend Brad had bought her for Christmas. “Sure. Where are you?”
    “Home. Where’d you think I’d be?”
    “Just curious is all. Why can’t you make it in today?”
    “Tara’s taking me to her meet her mom. We’re going out to dinner tonight. Isn’t that great?”
    She spit out her mouthful of joe. Damn. He was falling fast. Guess that’s how it happens for some folks. And he sounded so happy, she couldn’t say no. “So, where’s she taking you?” Flying you to New York, perhaps? A limo ride to Charlotte?
    “We’re going to Scalia’s tonight at seven.”
    Didn’t know why he needed the whole day off for that. “You sure you know what you’re doing?”
    “Of course.”
    She dumped her coffee in the sink. It tasted bitter. “Good. I’ve got things under control here.”
    But three burned pies later, she realized that was a lie. She couldn’t take it. She had to tell Brad what she thought about this O’Hara madness.
    JEANNE KEPT telling herself she wasn’t going to crash their dinner. No, she’d just asked Tonya and Kate to meet her for drinks at Scalia’s bar. At seven-thirty. And Brad would just happen to be there. Of course, the only people usually bellied up to Scalia’s bar were those waiting for a table. The Hideaway was the place to meet friends for a few cold ones.
    “I’m just feeling classier than that tonight,” she told herself as she slicked on a second coat of mascara. She hadn’t exactly mentioned to the girls that Brad would be there with the O’Haras.
    She slipped on her teal dress, only because she was going to the fanciest place in town. It had nothing to do with how Brad had once mentioned it made her green eyes glow. She drove to the restaurant and waited for the girls to arrive. When Kate pulled up in her Jeep with Tonya, the three of them walked inside.
    Jeanne spotted him immediately, like she had Brad radar. He was laughing at something Tara had said. He didn’t even notice them enter the restaurant. Mrs. O’Hara was beaming. Jeanne fumed.
    Tonya snatched Jeanne by the sleeve and dragged her over to the bar. “We’ll have three vodka tonics.”
    “Give me three of my own,” Jeanne said.
    Kate frowned. “Maybe no alcohol for you.”
    Jeanne slipped onto a barstool and folded her arms. “I just can’t believe it. He’s getting it on with Tara O’Hara.”
    Tonya set her hand on Jeanne’s shoulder. “Technically, they’re not getting it on right now. They’re out to dinner.”
    Kate grabbed a swizzle stick lying on the bar and snapped it in half. “With her mother!” She scanned the bar, looking for one of those tiny plastic swords bartenders spear fruit with. Maybe she could use it on Tara.
    “Let’s go over this again,” Kate said. “You either can’t, won’t, or don’t want to