Free Operation Valentine by Loretta Hill

This year, I face potential job termination.’
    â€˜Really?’ Chloe seemed unnaturally happy with the news that someone else’s life was worse than hers.
    â€˜Yup, I’m cursed.’
    â€˜ What boy ?’ he demanded of his daughter, still trying to break his way into the conversation.
    â€˜Boy?’ Chloe finally turned to him with a screwed up nose. ‘What boy? We’re talking about V-Day, Dad.’ She patted his left arm patronisingly. ‘Haven’t you been listening?’
    â€˜Yes, Owen,’ Sarah patted his right one with a laugh in her voice. ‘Keep up.’ The hairs on the limb she had touched rose at the brief contact and he had to spend a second getting his bearings back.
    He’d known all along being friends with her was a bad idea.
    Why hadn’t he listened to his instincts?
    Dumb arse.

Chapter 7
Week 2, Day 3: Date 2
    Okay, this time she had to be on the money. This guy sounded so interesting and his profile picture was very yummy.
    Think positive thoughts.
    Think positive thoughts.
    Squaring her shoulders, she pushed open one of the double doors to The Blue Saloon and walked in.
    For a Saturday night the place had a rather subdued atmosphere, which she liked. It reminded her a little of Owen. Broody and mysterious.
    Why are you thinking about Owen? You’re here for Damien.
    Right.
    Damien.
    She scanned the room, avoiding the temptation to check the bar to see if Owen was standing beside it, and her eyes alighted on a man who was seated at one of the many round tables in the centre. He raised a hand and waved at her. She smiled, waved back and started walking towards him.
    She was glad he’d chosen a table. After her experience at the bar last week, she’d rather be away from prying eyes – if there were any. Again, she refused to look at the bar to check the situation.
    Instead, she allowed herself to drink in Damien’s broad shoulders, friendly smile and warm brown eyes. He was just as handsome in person, if not more so. Her heart rate stepped up a notch. This could be the beginning of something really special. Shenoticed he didn’t stand up when she reached the table but maybe she was just being old-fashioned. There was no rule that said a guy had to get up to shake your hand or kiss you on the cheek when you first met.
    She slid into her seat. ‘I’m Sarah.’
    â€˜Damien.’ He grinned back.
    â€˜Did you find the place okay?’
    â€˜Sure,’ he nodded. ‘It’s a great little bar. I could see myself hanging out here more often.’
    Now if that wasn’t a sign, she didn’t know what was.
    â€˜Glad you like it. It’s one of my favourites too.’
    â€˜Before we get settled in,’ he smiled, ‘can I buy you a drink?’
    Ah, so he is a gentleman after all.
    â€˜Sure, thanks. That would be lovely.’ She kept her voice low, melodic and, she hoped, a tinsy bit flirty.
    â€˜Great, what would you like?’
    â€˜A cranberry and lime sparkler.’
    â€˜I’ll be right back.’ And then he jumped down from his chair.
    Down being the principal word. Beneath those broad shoulders and muscular arms was a pair of short, stumpy, childlike legs.
    She squinted in shock at his pint-sized butt as he waddled off.
    Damien is a dwarf!
    Her hand flew up so that onlookers couldn’t see her gaping mouth as she watched him join the line at the bar. There was only one staff member there and three other people were also waiting to be served. She had never dated a dwarf before. Actually, she’d never met one.
    That’s all right.
    This isn’t a big deal.
    He’s just a bit short.
    A lot of women were taller than their partners. It wasn’t like it was unheard of. She just had to get used to the idea.
    After all, the size of a person had no bearing whatsoever on whether they were a good person.
    She jumped as a wash cloth appeared on the table in front of