Fuckin’ hell.
He had no choice but to slide off his stool and trail after Dean or risk coming off like an antisocial prick, but there was no enthusiasm in his gait. He breathed slowly through his nose, trying to remind himself this was a job. Lynn Davidson wasn’t a gorgeous brunette he was walking over to mack on. She was the potential fiancée of a client, and he couldn’t screw this up by allowing his libido to interfere with the objective.
The closer they got, the tenser he became, and by the time he and Dean had reached the women’s table, Parker’s shoulders were stiffer than two-by-fours. He’d forgotten how mesmerizing her eyes were. Pale blue crystals, sparkling with intelligence and mischief.
“You again,” she said in greeting, tilting her head with a faint smile. “Small world, huh?”
“Naah,” Lynn’s friend Suz spoke up in disagreement. “I know exactly what this is. Clearly he’s stalking us.”
Parker’s breath hitched, but her tinkling laughter quickly eased the panic in his chest.
“You saw us in our yoga gear and became infatuated, didn’t you, Parker?” Suz prompted.
He recovered with a crooked smile. “You got me. That’s exactly what happened.”
“And can you blame him?” Dean piped up. “I’m picturing the two of you in yoga gear right now and I must say, it makes a damn appealing picture.” He turned to Parker with an expectant look. “You gonna introduce us or what?”
Right. Because Dean wasn’t supposed to know who they were, Parker remembered.
“Dean, this is Lynn, and Suz. Ladies, my buddy Dean.” He rolled his eyes. “Be careful around this guy—thinks he’s God’s gift to women, and there is a ninety-five percent chance he’ll try to seduce one or both of you.”
“Ninety-five percent?” Dean echoed. “Nuh-uh, bro. It’s definitely a hundred.”
Suz laughed in delight, not seeming the slightest bit insulted by the candid remark. “Give it your best shot, honey.” She patted the stool next to her. “In fact, have a seat so we can get started. I can’t wait to hear your seduction pitch.”
Dean wasted no time plopping down beside the curvy blonde, which left the one available stool next to Lynn.
Parker gulped. He was scared to get any closer. He could already smell the faintest hint of flowery shampoo and the sweet fragrance of orange blossoms, and he feared if he breathed her in fully, he’d never get her out of his system.
Then again, who was he kidding? She was already in his system. Really, really deep in there.
And what he wanted was to be really deep in her.
“So what have you ladies been up to since we last ran into each other?” He used his most conversational tone as he finally lowered himself onto the tall stool next to Lynn’s.
“Tons of fun stuff,” Suz answered for both of them. She flashed a grin at her friend. “Tell them the good news.”
Lynn shrugged, and Parker didn’t miss the way she shifted awkwardly.
“She’s officially on the market again,” Suz announced when Lynn didn’t speak. “Single and lovin’ it, right, hon?”
An entire unspoken conversation occurred in the brief look Parker exchanged with Dean. And the loudest and most important of all his thoughts kept repeating over and over.
She’s not with Shotelle anymore?
Parker’s mind was running a million miles a minute, working through the implications of this latest development. If Lynn was no longer dating Shotelle, that meant…
Christ, that meant he’d just been handed the equivalent of a winning lottery ticket.
“Breakups can be tough,” he commiserated. “Are you okay?” It took every ounce of willpower to mask his joy and try to sound suitably sympathetic.
“I’m fine.” She smiled at him. “Truth is, I wasn’t happy in the relationship. I’m actually glad it’s over.”
“What about you?” Dean asked, shifting his attention to Suz. “Got a boyfriend, or are you single and lovin’ it?”
Suz licked her lips. “What do you think?”
Dean licked his lips right back. “I think we need to order some shots.”
Another laugh escaped the blonde’s lips, only it was cut short by a loud chime. “Hold that thought. I need to check this.”
She reached for the bright purple purse hanging off the back of her stool, rummaged around inside it, and finally emerged with a cell phone.
One glance at the screen, and Suz lit up like a Christmas tree. “Oh hell, yeah.” Her expression suddenly creased as she turned to Lynn. “Please don’t kill me, but I might have to leave right away.”
Lynn narrowed her eyes. “You might have to leave, or you’re leaving?”
Suz heaved out a sigh. “Tony just flew in. He’s got a five-hour layover.” Her green eyes gleamed as she checked her phone again. “Ooooh, and his copilot Diego is with him. Those poor, poor boys. They’re so very bored.”