Second Time Lucky. Debbi Rawlins

glanced at Shelby and David. They both had taken her suggestion and were studying their menus. Neither of them seemed put off by Jeff, but they were probably just being polite.

      The waiter arrived with Jeff’s Scotch and an apologetic look for the rest of them, then he took everyone else’s drink order. While they waited, Mia quickly decided on an entrée and urged Shelby with a pointed look to do the same. David diplomatically handled the selection of the wine, something Mia gladly would have skipped altogether.

      Other than Jeff reaching under the table to squeeze her thigh, an attempt that was immediately rejected, the rest of the meal went smoothly enough. David and Shelby got along fabulously, chatting away as if they’d known each other for ages. Mia should’ve been grateful they were distracted, but their rapport only helped to darken her mood. She was jealous, and she had no one to blame but herself. And Jeff. Rational or not, she totally blamed him. Why did he have to turn out to be such an ass?

      When the bill came, there was a brief struggle between David and Jeff. No surprise to her, David won. Any other time, Mia might have offered to pick it up herself since she’d invited Shelby and David, but all she wanted was to get back to her room. No way was she spending another minute with Jeff, who’d had a glass in his hand throughout dinner. Only one thing could make the night worse—if Shelby stayed out with David.

      “Well,” Mia said, after giving Jeff a firm send-off, and he’d started weaving his way toward the lobby. Or more likely, the next bar. “I’m beat.”

      Neither Shelby or David responded, and a lump swelled in Mia’s throat. They’d gotten along much better than she’d anticipated. Who knew David could be that social and charming, damn him. She wouldn’t be surprised if they wanted to spend more time together.

      She swallowed hard. “Guess I’ll catch up with you two tomorrow.” Mia’s gaze involuntarily flicked to David. He’d been watching her intently. She blinked at the sudden awkwardness. “Thanks for dinner. I should’ve foot the bill. I owe you one.”

      His warm chocolate-brown eyes stayed level with hers. “I’ll remind you,” he said, his voice a seductive murmur in the semidarkness.

      Shivering with awareness, she rubbed her bare arm. She couldn’t seem to look away. With a jolt of regret, she remembered Shelby was standing there watching.

      Mia stepped back, avoiding a glance at her friend. And David. “Okay. I’m off to bed. See ya,” she said breezily, knowing she wasn’t going to sleep one lousy wink.

      “Wait for me,” Shelby said, and Mia stopped and cautiously turned. “I’m pretty jet-lagged myself. David, it was so nice meeting you. You’re staying here, too, yes?” He nodded, and she added, “Then we’ll see you around.”

      David’s gaze briefly shifted in the direction that Jeff had disappeared. “I wouldn’t mind walking you to your rooms.”

      “We’re fine, really.” Shelby looped an arm through Mia’s. Not a Shelby-like thing to do. “We’re staying in rooms seven-twenty and seven-twenty-two. Give us a call tomorrow.”

      He nodded. “I just might do that. Good night, ladies.”

      Shelby gave Mia’s arm a small tug, and they headed toward the elevators. “Do not turn around,” Shelby whispered sternly. “I promise you he’s watching.”

      “What?” Mia jerked her arm away. “Why would I turn around?” Any remorse she’d felt for stepping on her friend’s toes disappeared in a flash. “You could’ve stayed out with him. I don’t need an escort to my room, for God’s sake.”

      Shelby only grinned.

      “I should warn you. He’s not always that charming. Frankly, I didn’t know he had any personality. He’s usually stuck in Neutral.”

      “Uh-huh.” They’d arrived at the elevators and, still smiling, Shelby pressed the Up button.

      “I’m not trying to discourage you. I’m not,” Mia muttered. “I say go for it. I can see why you might be attracted. I was once.”

      Shelby laughed. “For being a brainy chick, you’re such a dope.”

      Mia scowled at her, but kept her mouth shut when the elevator doors opened, and two couples exited.

      “Get in there.” Shelby pulled her into the car, and then waited for the doors to close. “Sweetie, he is so into you, it’s pathetic.”

      “You’re crazy. He was all Mr. Charming with you.”

      “He is charming. But you didn’t see the way he was looking at you.”

      “No, he wasn’t.”

      Shelby rolled her eyes. “You were too busy being embarrassed by Jeff. David wasn’t obvious, he’s too gentlemanly. But he didn’t miss a single eyelash flutter. Trust me.” She sighed. “Seriously, if he’d been eyeing me like I was a juicy steak, I’d be all over him.”

      Mia thought about it for a minute. “Then why wait and come all the way to Hawaii?”

      “Yeah, Mia,” Shelby said with a hand on her hip. “Why would someone, who never takes vacations, suddenly come all the way to Hawaii for a week? Tell me.”

      Excitement fluttered in her chest. “It is odd,” she admitted. “All he had to do was pick up the phone while I was still in New York.”

      “Hey, hopping a plane at the last minute is a pretty grand gesture, don’t knock it.” The doors opened, and Shelby walked out first, her key already in hand. “And for God’s sake, don’t blow it.”

      DAVID PACED THE PARLOR of his suite. His body recognized East Coast time, where it was three in the morning and not 10:00 p.m. Hawaiian time. Add to that the twelve hours he’d spent in the air, he should’ve been exhausted. But he was too keyed up to sleep.

      Even dinner had been draining. Shelby had been great company—witty, refreshingly open and quite beautiful. But it was Mia’s attention he’d wanted, when her green eyes had locked with his. Instead he’d watched her helplessly act as buffer for that idiot Jeff. He’d pitied them both. Jeff, because he was too drunk to realize what he’d screwed up, and Mia, well, her evening had virtually been ruined.

      David smiled ruefully. The upside for him was that he’d come out the victor. Or so he hoped. He still didn’t know where he stood, whether he was a fool for showing up. Damn it, he should’ve stopped her from going to her room, asked her to have a drink alone with him.

      He wasn’t worried about hurting Shelby’s feelings—it wasn’t as if they’d been on a date. She was clearly a bright woman and knew what was what.

      He slid open the glass door, walked to the balcony railing and stared at the city lights. Getting this last minute suite had been lucky. The corner unit provided both a view of the ocean and the Waikiki skyline. It also came with a well-stocked bar, or he could’ve ordered drinks from room service. Either way, Mia should’ve been enjoying this view with him right now.

      Rooms 720 and 722. Weren’t there three of them? Which room was Mia’s? He could call the front desk, but they wouldn’t give him her room number, only connect him. He had no desire to talk to her on the phone, he decided as he closed the balcony door behind him. He’d done enough talking. Enough dodging and evading for the past three years. Enough denying himself.

      He grabbed his key card off the bamboo console table, and let himself out.

      Enough was damn well enough.

      TIRED OF PACING, Mia lay back on the queen-size bed closest to the bathroom, locked her hands behind her head and stared up at the ceiling. Occasionally she could hear Shelby rattling around in the next room. Mia knew she wanted to stay up chatting, and Mia felt only slightly guilty for not indulging her. The need for privacy won out.

      Lindsey hadn’t been in the room when they’d returned, and they suspected she might not show