Dear Reader,

Did you ever have a girl pal who was smart and pretty, but so incredibly blind that she chased shallow studs who barely gave her the time of day? Oh, boy, I did. A few of them, actually. I’d bully and beg, but, oh no. She’d insist he was the one, and heartbreak here she comes. And meanwhile, there was this sweet guy who worshiped the ground she walked on.

Then I thought, hmm. What if she really did take my advice? Suppose—just as a matter of principle and a way to change her life for the better—a girl like my friend decided to ignore those bad boys in favor of the sweet but nondescript type? And then, what if, with all good intentions, she took it to extremes…?

And thus began Haley’s search for the prince of frogs. This was, beyond anything I’ve ever written, the book of my heart. I hope you enjoy Rick and Haley’s story as much as I did.

Wishing you romance and laughter,

Natalie Stenzel

“Haley, you’ve got to give Rick a chance.”

She stared at her best friend as though Jen had suddenly grown a second head. “What are you saying? Have you forgotten my vow not to date princes? Rick is a total prince.”

“I think you should reconsider. Your face lights up when you talk about him.”

“Sure, he’s hot. He’s even fun to hang out with. But that’s as far as I go. He’s too good-looking.”

Jen rolled her eyes.

“No, seriously, Jen, I’m through with good-looking men. I lose my head when they turn on the charm. And Rick is smooth. Lethally smooth.”

“Maybe. I’ve only seen the guy once.” Jen sounded entirely too doubtful for Haley’s liking. “Hey, why don’t you arrange for me to meet him again?”

“Forget it, Jen. There’s no reason for you to check him out, because I’m not dating him. He’s my neighbor and a platonic friend. End of story.” And maybe if Haley repeated that often enough, she’d believe it, too.

Forget Prince Charming
Natalie Stenzel

www.millsandboon.co.uk

This one’s for Steve, with all my love, for all the hours you invested in my dream, and for believing in me, long before I ever did. You’re one in a million.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Natalie Stenzel was a girl who just couldn’t keep her nose out of (gasp!) a romance novel. Still, she denied her dreamy inclinations long enough to earn respectable degrees in English literature and magazine journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She even flirted with business writing and freelancing for a while, considered going back to school for another respectable degree…only to return to her one true love: romance. Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Natalie now resides in lovely Virginia with her husband and two children, happy to live a dream (or several) come true.

Dear Reader,

When you’re stressed out with the holidays and looking forward to stealing a little time for yourself, we’ve got the perfect solution! Pick up the latest Harlequin Flipside novel and take a well-deserved break. Our fun, witty and exciting romantic comedies will be sure to chase away the blues. Of course, if you’re the type who loves the hustle and bustle, then the burst of energy you’ll get from the book will make your day, too!

This month we’re featuring Do-Over by Dorien Kelly. Have you ever hidden your true potential just to attract a guy? This heroine did it once, just once, and has regretted it ever since. She’s always wanted to go back and do it differently. Looks as if she’s getting her chance, because guess who’s back in town….

We also have brand-new author Natalie Stenzel with Forget Prince Charming. Our heroine has discovered—the hard way—that those good-looking princes aren’t always the best dates. So she’s determined to find herself a “frog.” But she can’t catch any frogs if she can’t see past her gorgeous neighbor!

These Harlequin Flipside books blend romance with a good dose of wit and cleverness and are sure to bring a smile to your face. Be sure to check us out online at www.harlequinflipside.com.

Enjoy!

Wanda Ottewell

Editor

Mary-Theresa Hussey

Executive Editor

Contents

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10

Epilogue

1

“TO HELL WITH PRINCE CHARMING. I’ll take the frog.”

Haley Watson slammed into The Toy Boxx, sending the jingle bell above the door into a violent clanking. She tossed her purse under the sales counter and grabbed a broom. Soon she was swishing it back and forth with enough energy to send bits of straw flying in both directions.

Still muttering under her breath, Haley glanced over her shoulder to see Jennifer Grayson, her business partner, watching her. She’d been attending to a customer when Haley made her violent entry. Jen turned back to the tall man at her side, spoke a few words and gestured smilingly at a mountain of stuffed animals. Thus excusing herself, she approached Haley, giving the wildly swinging broom a wide berth.

“Trouble in fairy-tale land?” Jen murmured casually.

“You could say that.” Swipe, swish.

Jen glanced at the blond man sorting through stuffed animals, then moved to discreetly block Haley from his view. “What happened?”

“Same old thing.” Swish, swish. “You date a decent guy. He tells you he’s in love.” Swish, slash. “Then he ends up boffing his secretary behind your back anyway.” She punctuated her words with a violent smack of the broom. “Jerk.” At the last imprecation, their customer glanced back at them. Blue eyes studied them in open curiosity.

Smiling reassurance at the man, Jen plucked the broom from Haley’s hands and set it aside. She led Haley by the elbow to a coloring table on the other side of the store.

“Sit.”

Haley dropped into a child-size chair. The fit was perfect, as Haley wasn’t much larger than a child herself. Her shoulders slumped and she twined her fingers together in a big, white-knuckled fist.

“Okay. Now give.” Jen’s voice was a soft command.

Haley blinked furiously at her tears, glancing at Jen and then away. “I wanted to surprise Peter. So I dropped by his office after lunch. I found him at his desk. With his secretary. And I don’t think they were discussing business.”

Jen’s eyes widened. “Peter? Your boyfriend?”

“The guy who wanted me to spend the weekend on the lake with him? The guy who claims to love me? Yeah, that’s the one. I walked in on them. Having sex on his desk.”

Jen’s lips tightened in sympathy. “Oh, Haley.”

“He didn’t even look up when I opened the door.”

“He doesn’t know you saw him with her?”

“Oh, he knows.” Haley’s voice grew stronger. “I got on his secretary’s intercom and announced an emergency meeting in his office. ASAP. That got his attention.”

“You didn’t!”

“I did. And he all but shoved his new girlfriend off the desk trying to find his pants.”

Jen tossed her head back, laughing. “Oh, that’s good. I should have known you wouldn’t just slink off quietly.”

“Why should I?” Haley raised her chin, feeling militant on behalf of all womankind. Defiantly, she met the eyes of the blond man who was openly staring at them. He smiled slightly, disarmingly, then turned back to the mound of plush animals.

Jen, who missed the exchange, ended her laughter on a sigh. Her expression grew more serious as she studied her friend. “I’m glad you didn’t let him get away with it.” She paused then continued more softly. “Are you okay?”

Haley shrugged, the glow of victory fading to disappointment. “I’ll live. At least I caught him before we went away together.”

“Were you really going to spend the weekend with him?”

Haley shrugged. “I don’t know. I hadn’t really made up my mind yet. He seemed so perfect. He was handsome, charming, successful. He seemed to really care about me. Did I mention the handsome and charming part?”

Jen eyed her sympathetically. “It’s rotten, I know. But I have to admit I’m kind of relieved. I was starting to worry that you were talking yourself into love with him just because everyone else thought he was wonderful.”

Haley looked up in surprise. Jen had never voiced such doubts before. “I think I could have loved him. Or at least the man I thought he was.” Her glance slid over to the blonde, who had dropped to one knee and was now studying a collection of trucks on a low shelf. Faded denim stretched taut across tight buttocks, the waistband gapping slightly in complement to the hard contours of the man’s back. Annoyed with her wandering gaze, Haley forced her attention away from their customer. No more princes!

Jen tapped a long fingernail against her lips, her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “I don’t know. Has it occurred to you that you’re not exactly heartbroken by what Peter did? Angry, sure. But devastated? No.”

Haley weighed Jen’s observation, honestly tried to picture herself living with Peter. Spending every day with him. She couldn’t see it. How was that for honesty? “I guess Peter wasn’t exactly the love of my life. It was humiliating to catch him cheating on me, though.”

“Not as humiliating as having your co-workers catch you with your pants down, I’ll bet.”

At that, Haley managed to crack a tiny smile. “Good point.”

Jen shook her head and squeezed Haley’s shoulder. “You’re better off without him.”

“I know.”

“You okay?”

Haley nodded and stood up.

“Good girl. I guess I’d better get back to it.”

Jen retraced her way across the store. The blonde focused his smile on Jen, though his glance kept straying back to Haley.

Conscious of the tearstains on her face, Haley turned her back on the man. She picked up the broom she’d been abusing and resumed her task—without her earlier vigor. She pulled chairs out to sweep crayon bits off the floor, rearranged a stack of picture books and checked a dollhouse display for damage. She saw that only a tiny teacup had fallen prey to little fingers.

The Toy Boxx, located in a trendy little plaza in west St. Louis County, Missouri, was a popular hangout for kids whose parents were shopping at the nearby department store. Some of those faces had grown familiar and even dear to Haley over the summer. Now that school was in session, she’d miss the constant stream of pint-size customers. She loved their joy, their enthusiasm, even their mischief.

So when did such open, sincere creatures turn into the deceiving jerks she’d dated her whole life? she wondered.

Absently, she listened to Jen explaining the features of a remote control car. The deep rumble of a masculine voice echoed in the pit of her stomach. Haley forced herself not to look over her shoulder at the source.

Her dating failures had become so comical she and Jen had taken to nicknaming them. First there had been Football Flynn, her high school boyfriend who had played the field in more ways than one. Then there was her college sweetheart, dubbed Big-Man-On-Campus Brad. His charisma and wicked green eyes had charmed both her and her bank account into a puddle beneath his feet.

There had been a few casual relationships with men since then, but no one truly serious until Peter. He’d seemed so decent and so attractive, so incredibly perfect that she and Jen had dubbed him Prince Peter. That should have been her first clue. When he’d asked her out and intimated a future together, it had seemed almost too good to be true. She’d pictured herself living happily ever after with a handsome, loving husband. Some fairy tale this turned out to be. Jerk.

The unmistakable sound of the cash drawer opening and closing drew her attention.

“Thanks, Mr. Samuels. Have a nice day.” The pleasant tones of Jen’s voice were soothing to Haley.

“I appreciate the help.” As he turned and strode toward the door, his eyes met Haley’s. She stared. He smiled and nodded slightly before opening the door. The bell jingled cheerily after his exit. Something about the man seemed vaguely familiar. Haley frowned a moment, thoughtful, then shook her head and sighed. She couldn’t place him.

She turned back to Jen. “Sorry I caused such a scene, especially with a customer in the store. It was incredibly unprofessional.”

Jen grinned. “I don’t think he minded.” She hustled to the back room and returned with a box, which she passed off to Haley.

Haley set the box behind the cash register then began gathering up the defective toys to be returned. “I don’t get it, Jen. Why do the men I date always turn out to be rotten? All men can’t be that bad. Frank’s not.”

Jen smiled at the mention of her husband. “No, he’s not.”

“So how do I find my Frank?”

Jen paused thoughtfully. “I don’t know. Patience helps. That way you’re not rushing into relationships with men who aren’t worth your time. Look around you. The nice guys aren’t going to jump up and shout for attention. The attention hounds are probably the jerks you’ve been dating.”

Haley considered that idea, thinking of the sexy blonde who’d just left the store. Much like Peter, the man had the kind of good looks and presence that commanded a woman’s attention. “That makes sense, I suppose.”

“Of course it does.” Automatically smoothing a mailing label onto the box, Jen warmed up to her subject. “Women overlook the nice guys all the time. They don’t even see the kind of guy who worships a girl in silence, who offers friendship but hopes for more. The guy who loses out. The nice guy who finishes last.”

Enlightenment. Haley squeezed her eyes shut and groaned. “My mother was right. I should have married Jimmy Plankett.”

“Jimmy who?”

“I’m an idiot. I can’t believe I didn’t realize all this before.”

“Slow down, Haley. You’re making my head spin.”

“It’s so simple. You’re saying I’ve only been looking at the guys who attract lots of attention. The good-looking, charismatic ones. The kind of guy who can sweet-talk his way past a woman’s good sense and straight into her heart.” Haley started pacing furiously and gesturing with her hands as she worked through her developing theory.

“Right. So?”

“Well, a woman dazzled out of her common sense isn’t going to pick up on all those little clues that should tell her the hunk has some major character flaws.”

“Okay, I’m with you.” She eyed Haley warily. “I think.”

“Well, I’m tired of being dazzled and clueless. I’m tired of falling blindly for faithless jerks. It’s too exhausting. I think it’s time to take a more practical approach to finding a man. And this time I’m going to focus on a different breed of guy altogether.”

Haley pressed a knuckle to pursed lips, realigning her thoughts before she continued in a thoughtful tone. “In order to find a guy like Frank or Jimmy, I really do need to ignore the good-looking Prince Charmings in this world. And start checking out the frogs.”

“Uh-huh. You’re losing me, Haley.”

Haley sighed, wondering how to get her point across without being insulting. “I need to look for someone who isn’t flashy or good-looking. When I’m with a hottie, I get all caught up in his looks and can’t see past that. I want the nice guy who lost out to the gorgeous jerk. Basically, I need to find my very own sweet, reliable, but very overlookable—” She paused to look around, searching and sputtering, before settling almost defiantly on the appropriate term. “—geek.”

Jen eyed her for a shocked moment. “I see. I don’t know whether to be offended that you’re calling Frank a geek or curious about this perfect Jimmy Plankett.”

Haley waved her hands as if to erase the impression of her last statement. “I didn’t mean anything personal against Frank. He’s perfect. I want one just like him. All I meant in suggesting he was a geek is that you don’t look at him the first time and immediately realize his great qualities. Nothing about him shouts Stud Muffin or Mr. Personality. But, according to you, he’s a wonderful husband. Right?”

Jen laughed reluctantly. “Okay. I see what you’re getting at. So tell me about Jimmy Plankett.”

Haley paused, smiling slightly. “Jimmy Plankett gave me my first kiss.”

“This makes him a geek?”

Haley turned stern eyes on her friend. “Do you want to hear this or not?”

“Sorry. You were saying?”

“Okay.” Haley paused, gathering her thoughts. “I was in seventh grade and Jimmy and I had this mutual crush going on. We’d pass goopy notes and hold hands in the hallway. Innocent stuff.” She closed her eyes, remembering. “He was very shy. Short, too. But nice eyes.” She sighed. “Anyway. I could tell he wanted to kiss me for a long time but he couldn’t quite work up the nerve. Then one day, right in front of my locker at school, he pulled me close and kissed me.”

“How sweet.” Jen smiled.

“Hmm. Yes. But then our braces locked together.”

Jen groaned.

Haley nodded. “My algebra teacher had to walk us to the principal’s office so they could call for help to untangle us. There we were, joined at the eyeteeth, stumbling down the hallway together with kids laughing and whispering. Talk about embarrassing.” She grimaced momentarily then looked up to meet Jen’s eyes. “But you know what? Jimmy held my hand through the whole thing.”

“He’s the perfect guy?”

Haley’s smile was smug. “Even better. He’s Mr. Sweet Geek, like your Frank. His kind of guy would never dream of cheating on his girlfriend.”

“So, whatever happened to you two?”

This was the embarrassing part of the story. “Well, I kind of broke it off after the cutest guy in our class asked me to dance at the Spring Fling. I swear, for weeks and weeks after that I only had eyes for…” She paused, frowning. “You know, I can’t even remember his name anymore. But I do remember Jimmy.”

“Really.” Jen gave her a pointed look.

Haley groaned. “Yes, really. Oh my God. That’s my problem, isn’t it? I never matured past the age of thirteen.”

“Ah. Progress at last. So where do we find Jimmy Plankett?”

Haley made a face. “According to my mother, in Omaha, Nebraska, married with three kids. Mom keeps track of these things. Pulls them out with the guilt trips whenever she’s interrogating me about my love life and her grandbaby prospects. The woman is dangerous, I tell you. Intelligent and subtly, persistently malicious.”

Jen laughed. “She is not, you idiot. She just wants you to be happy and have lots of babies for her.”

“Yes, I know, and if I don’t find a man of my own, I guarantee she’s going to find one for me.”

“Why don’t you let her? She probably meets available men every day at the TV station.”

Haley gave her a harassed look. “Just whose side are you on anyway?”

Jen grinned back unrepentantly. “Yours, yours. Forgive me, I couldn’t resist.”

“I’ll forgive you if you help me find a sweet geek of my own.”

Jen’s grin faded at the sincerity behind Haley’s words. “You’re serious about this.” She stared hard at her friend and her voice grew cautious. “Now, Haley. I think you need to calm down a little before you do anything crazy. You’ve never been seriously attracted to a Frank or a Jimmy Plankett. I personally think you’d walk all over somebody like that. Besides that, don’t you think you’re tackling this project a little too soon after your breakup with Peter?”

Haley shook her head resolutely. “I’m twenty-eight, Jen, and the clock is ticking. Come on, you’re only six months older than me and you already have a career, a husband, two kids and a mortgage. I’m way behind. And it’s your duty, as my best friend and role model—”

“My duty!”

“—to help me catch up. So, where do I meet my man?” She looked up expectantly, never doubting that eventually…

Jen sighed, her gaze still on Haley. “Oh, all right. If you really want to do this, I’d better help you. With a plan as flaky as this, someone needs to keep an eye on you.”

Seeing the doubt that still lingered on Jen’s face, Haley sighed. “Look. I know all of this sounds hokey. Just another harebrained Haley scheme.” She paused. “It’s just that I’ve realized something about myself. Something bad enough to warrant drastic, corrective measures.”

Jen gave her a curious look. “What?”

“Well…in all the ways that count, I guess I’ve been as much of an idiot about dating as these guys who keep disappointing me.” Haley grimaced. “You don’t fall in love with a guy’s tight butt or cute grin. That’s just stupid and shallow, but that’s pretty much what I’ve been doing up to this point. So, in that respect at least, I suppose I’ve deserved every jerk I’ve ever dated.

“But I’m through with all that. I swear.” Haley held up a hand as though vowing. “It’s time I grew up and started looking a little deeper. And this plan…” She shrugged. “Well, look at it as a first step toward that.”

Jen regarded her with new interest. “You know, Hale, I think that’s the smartest thing you’ve said since you stormed into this place. Well, besides the part where you dumped Peter.” She grinned.

“So that means you’ll help me?”

“I said I would.” Her eyes clouding in thought, Jen began taping up the box, winding, snipping and smoothing, her motions methodical.

“Thank God.” Recognizing that Jen was now completely in her corner, Haley cased the front sidewalk for customers. No one in sight. She reached behind the counter for a clipboard and pen and looked up expectantly. “So where do we start?”

“Just hold on. I’m thinking.”

Setting the clipboard on the counter, Haley wrote Strategies for—Then she paused, frowning. Something descriptive? Like Finding my very own sweet and reliable, if—Oh, just go for direct. Strategies for Geek Hunting. Good. To the point. She quickly scribbled it down and glanced up.

Her gaze directed out the front window, Jen was already muttering thoughtfully. “I guess the best way to approach this would be from a career and interest standpoint.”

“Exactly. Career and interest. No shallow studs. I want a guy capable of conversation.” She jotted No studs. “But how do I do that?”

“Hangouts, maybe?” Jen murmured doubtfully. “We could target a few interesting places and go from there.”

“Right.” Haley jotted Target locations with high geek probability and underlined it.

“Libraries, bookstores, computer stores. Hmm. That last one’s good. You won’t find some self-involved, directionless hunk in a computer store.” Jen turned a speculative eye on her friend.

Haley was scribbling away furiously. “Computer store.” She looked up. “Bingo. That’s first. I’ll try that new Computer Nation around the corner.”

“Okay. But, Haley…”

“What?”

“Suppose you find a guy…like this. What will you do? How on earth are you going to approach him?”

“Well. Subtly, I suppose.” Haley frowned. “I guess I need to adjust my attitude, huh? Take extra care choosing the guy…and then seem approachable?”

“Couldn’t hurt.”

“Right. Approachable. Maybe even tone down…”

“What?” Jen sounded alarmed.

“Just a sec.” Haley, lost in thought, tapped her pen on the clipboard. She knew she tended to go overboard with her clothes sometimes. She hung out with kids and a friend most of the day, and bright colors were suitable for that. But this was different. She didn’t want to scare guys away by dressing in neon colors or zebra stripes. She paused, then jotted Dress down. Neutral classics. Nothing trendy.

The guy could be shy, too. Shy guys would slip right past her usual radar unless…She scribbled some more. Big smiles. Unthreatening but obvious approach. Now, how to relax him so she could get to know him as he really was…maybe appeal to his strengths? Yes. Stroke ego liberally. She considered but refrained from underlining liberally. A girl had her limits.

Scanning her list and visualizing possibilities, Haley gave a decisive nod. “This could just work, Jen. And I think Computer Nation will make a perfect testing ground.”

FLIPPING DOWN THE KICKSTAND of her bike, Haley propped it by her apartment door and turned to fiddle with the doorknob. She glanced distractedly at her new neighbor’s door, and was surprised to find the hallway deserted for a change. Usually, she had to dodge several borderline hostile women, apparently lying in wait for her new neighbor, to get to her door. That was odd—and getting old. What sort of business was her neighbor in, anyway? It boggled the mind to wonder.

Grimacing, she gently worked at her key then turned the knob, but as usual, the lock refused to give. Haley grumbled and persisted, gritting her teeth and hoping her key wouldn’t break off. “Come on you stubborn piece of—”

“Excuse me?”

Haley whipped around at the sound of a vaguely familiar voice, bumping her arm against the seat of her bike. The bike toppled, sending her purse and clipboard flying out of the basket attached to her handlebars. The clipboard caught the man in the shins. He winced.

Seeing his face contort, Haley grimaced herself. “Sorry. Are you okay?” After quickly righting her bike, she stepped forward, wanting to offer aid but not sure how to do it without touching the man’s leg. Feeling a stranger’s leg definitely overstepped a few boundaries.

The man looked up, a wary grin on his face.

Uh-oh. Oh, wow. The man had killer eyes. She stared into them. An incredible sapphire-blue. Not flat and cold like a stone, but deep and alive, almost liquid. She felt herself getting drawn in, feeling that pull of a too-good-looking-for-her-own-good man.

Then as she recognized the owner of those killer eyes, Haley froze. “You.”

The amusement faded. “Me?”

“That’s why you looked so familiar. You were at the store today and—”

“And I’m also your new neighbor. Right next door. Small world, huh?” He grinned uneasily.

From the look on his face, Haley could only surmise he wished it weren’t quite this small. Shake it off, Hale. The man’s not for you and you’re scaring him.

She cleared her throat. “I—Hi. Look, I’m really sorry if that scene at the store today made you uncomfortable.” She laughed. “The last thing I want to do is chase away new Toy Boxx customers.” She shifted self-consciously. “Wow. You catch me freaking out on the job, arguing out loud with my door lock, and then I clobber you. I’m really sorry.” Haley attempted a harmless neighbor grin. “Can I get you some ice for that?”

The man laughed, visibly relaxing. “I think I’ll survive.” He shifted the clipboard he’d retrieved from his shoes and tucked it under his arm. “I’m Ma—” He paused, coughing a little. “Sorry.” He smiled and gestured apologetically. “Name’s Rick. Rick Samuels.” He offered his hand.

Haley took it, hoping her hand wasn’t clammy with nerves and awakening hormones. “Haley Watson. Welcome to the building.”

“It’s good to finally meet my neighbor. I’ve been curious about you. The noises—”

Haley made a face. “My dog. Puppy actually. We’re still working on housebreaking. Or rather, I’m working on it and Sherlock’s trying his best to defeat me.”

“So you’re Watson and he’s Sherlock?” Those blue eyes sparkled with amusement.

Haley grinned reluctantly. “I didn’t name him. My ex-boyfriend did.” She paused, her smile fading a little as she remembered the desk-bopping incident. “The dog used to be his.”

“The detestable Prince Charming?”

Haley’s regard cooled considerably. “You overheard.”

He shrugged. “Not much. Just that it looked like you were pretty upset. I’m sorry things didn’t work out.” He shifted awkwardly, as if at a loss for an appropriate response.

Haley relaxed. “Oh, it’s okay, really. I’ve already had my revenge. I’m ready to move on now.”

His eyes widened. “Your revenge?”

She waved a hand, smiling ruefully. “Don’t ask. I had a psycho moment.” A bark sounded from within, followed by a hopeful whine. Now, there was love and loyalty a girl could count on. Haley gazed at her closed door, smiling slightly as she pictured the puppy’s sweet face.

“Revenge. Okay.” Eyeing her with caution in between glances at her closed door, Rick started inching toward his own door.

Haley wondered at his reaction. Sure, she was babbling a bit, but—Her thoughts were distracted by the sight of her clipboard still tucked under his arm. Remembering the nature of the list on the front page, she gasped and lurched forward, arm outstretched.

Rick’s eyes widened at the sudden movement. Yanking open his door, he swiftly ducked inside.

“Wait! You’ve got my—” the door slammed “—clipboard.” Her words ended on a note of dread. Leaning her forehead against his door, she stabbed repeatedly at the doorbell. Silence. Great. Now her hunky new neighbour would know all about her plans to catch herself a frog.

Inside, Rick stared at the closed door, his thoughts a contradictory jumble. He couldn’t decide whether he’d just experienced a narrow escape or an intriguing first encounter with his sexy neighbor. Earlier today, she’d stormed her way into the toy shop like a woman bent on violence. Now, he was left to wonder if filing a custody suit for a dog—or even all-out stealing the poor beast—was her idea of revenge. Talk about malicious.

And disillusioning. He’d caught sight of his new neighbor the day he’d moved into the building. Ever since then, he’d found himself anticipating the occasional glimpse of her. All that bustling energy, the lightning-flash smiles and expressive eyes. She was fascinating to watch. And he really had a weakness for freckled noses.

When the landlady mentioned this morning that Haley worked at The Toy Boxx, very near where he worked himself, he’d decided to shop there for a birthday gift for his nephew. Part owner of a toy shop, he’d decided, was a perfect occupation for Haley.

Too bad she was turning out to be such a head case. A smart man would be resisting the temptation, he knew. At least for right now. The town’s population of single females had wigged out on him since a gossipy local celebrity listed him as one of the most eligible bachelors in the metro area.

Now, the scent of money was attracting desperate women faster than he could shoo them off. They didn’t seem to care who he was or what he was about, just that he had a bank account that could support extravagant shopping sprees. For all he knew, this Haley was just another woman anxious to get her hands on a fat wallet.

Shrugging philosophically, he reached over and flipped on the stereo to a classic rock station and cranked it up, letting the throbbing rhythm work the kinks out of his shoulders. That’s when he noticed the clipboard still tucked under his arm. He pulled it out, intending to discreetly return it to his crazy neighbor, when the title, scrawled in red ink and underlined, caught his attention. Strategies for Geek Hunting.

2

STRATEGIES FOR GEEK HUNTING?

“What the…?” He read further down the page, unable to help himself. He couldn’t prevent either the disbelieving grin that spread across his face or the old defensiveness that stiffened his spine. Automatically he reached up with an index finger to the bridge of his nose but found nothing there.

…Targeting…high geek probability…

He dropped his hand to his side, his defensiveness hardening into resolve. The woman was looney tunes and some poor, unsuspecting Joe out there—

…stroke ego liberally…

He shook his head. Oh, no. Not on his watch. And watch her he would. If he happened to enjoy the view just a little too much, well, that was too damn bad. Sure, she was a sexy woman, but a man had to have standards. He skimmed and reskimmed the page, his scowl deepening with every outrageous word.

Feeling the need to vent on the person who drew up this crazy, demoralizing plan, Rick stalked to the door, swung it open…and promptly caught Haley in his arms.

Frustrated and embarrassed, Haley glared at him as he set her back on her feet. Encountering the less than friendly look in his eyes, she tempered her own hostility and retreated a pace. “Don’t you answer your door?” She shoved her hair behind her ears.

“My door? Oh, the doorbell doesn’t work. You should have knocked.”

“I did.” She gritted the words out.

“Hmm. Well, I did have the stereo cranked up.”

“Whatever. Can I please just have my clipboard back?”

Rick smiled down at her, his expression as innocent as a child’s. “So you’re going hunting?”

Haley made a desperate grab for the clipboard but he casually held it just out of reach. Her panic congealed into embarrassed frustration. “You just had to read it, didn’t you. Brand new to the building, and you’re already pulling the nosy neighbor act.”

“Hey, you’re the one who clobbered me with a clipboard. All I did was pick it up. Never mind that, though. Tell me about the hunt. Is it some twisted cultural supremacy thing? Down with geeks, dweebs and nerds?”

Haley studied him momentarily. Thinking. Maybe he hadn’t read the whole thing. Maybe he’d just glanced at the title. Sighting an out, she attempted a breezy smile. “It was just a joke. Like those ‘you know you’re a redneck when’ kind that are everywhere now.”

Rick’s smile hardened but he let her snag the clipboard out of his hands. “Looked like a pretty involved joke. Kind of a humorous how-to manual, I suppose? So, once you hunt up one of those suckers, what are you supposed to do with him? Reform him or just enjoy him as he is?”

She hugged the clipboard to her chest, heart pounding with new unease. “Um. I’m not sure. A friend just, well, a friend of mine scribbled it down for me. We had customers and she didn’t want to offend anyone, so she just wrote it down for me to read later. And I will. With dinner probably.” Haley wished she could spontaneously combust. Now. If she would only learn when to shut up, maybe she could pull off a believable lie.

“Oh, sure.” He nodded agreeably. “I always enjoy a good joke with my dinner. Hell, to hear a good joke, I’d be willing to buy you dinner.” An unholy gleam in his eyes, Rick leaned one shoulder against the doorjamb, folded his arms and grinned down at her. He was obviously aware of her silent squirming and enjoying it immensely. “So how about it? Dinner for a joke?”

Haley glared at him. “You read the whole thing.”

“Okay, I skimmed it. You caught me. That’s not to say I don’t have a million questions, though. You could tell me all about it over dinner. What do you say? My offer still stands.”

Haley squeezed her eyes shut, but she could still picture his wicked grin. Naturally, the grin—what was she thinking? the whole package surrounding the grin—was so attractive she could just die. She was destined to forever be humiliated in front of sexy men. And be attracted to them anyway, masochistic idiot that she was.

With the battle of the senses raging within her, Haley couldn’t help but wonder if it was a blessing or a curse that she’d sworn off hunks. Because, despite his provoking manner, Rick Samuels fairly defined the term. It was no wonder he had women lining up outside his door. Twelve short months ago—hell, twelve short hours ago—she’d have been tempted to do the same. The man was hot.

He looked to be in his early thirties, with Brad Pitt’s good looks, only taller, with broader shoulders and more rugged features. And she was pretty sure the sun-kissed color of this guy’s hair was real. Thick and unruly, ending just about collar-level. She sighed. And those deep blue eyes and wicked lips set a girl to dreaming of laughter and hot sex. God help her. She opened her eyes slowly, trying to brace herself.

He was still watching her, no doubt savoring the embarrassment behind her hesitation. “Well, Haley? Care to get to know your neighbor?”

Oh, boy would I! “No, thank you. I have a lot to do tonight.”

“Too bad.” His grin didn’t falter. “Some other time, maybe?” At her reluctant nod, he straightened and strode past her into the hallway toward her bike. “Just let me wheel this in for you and I’ll get out of your way so you can get started on your project.”

In the interest of ending the humiliating encounter, Haley bit back a choice insult and turned to continue wrestling with her door. Naturally, the key turned smoothly this time. The door all but sprung open in her hands. She set her clipboard on a lamp table then stood back to let Rick push her bike into the living room.

Sherlock’s frantic barking echoed from the back of the apartment. Haley sighed. It sounded like the dog had managed to shut himself in the closet again. She wondered how many shoes had been sacrificed today.

“The boyfriend’s dog?” Rick’s eyes were trained on the doorless opening to her loft bedroom. She thought she could see suspicion and disapproval in his eyes.

“My dog, now.”

His eyes narrowed. “Yes, so you said. Some revenge.”

Haley frowned. “Huh?”

“Stealing a man’s best friend from him.”

Haley’s jaw dropped. “I didn’t steal him. Peter abandoned the poor thing. Almost.”

“Right.” His voice rang with doubt.

She propped her fists on her hips. “I’m not lying. He passed the dog off to me. Weeks ago. He said he traveled too much to take care of it and the dog liked me better anyway.” She shrugged uncomfortably. “And I didn’t have the heart to take him to the humane society or find a stranger to take him in. So the puppy’s mine.” She glared at Rick. “Do you always jump to wild conclusions?”

He had the grace to look embarrassed. “I hope not. Sorry.”

Haley rolled her eyes. “Like I’d kidnap somebody’s dog.”

Rick cleared his throat and glanced around the apartment before turning his sights back on the bike. His eyes flickered over the banana seat and woven basket decorated with plastic daisies. The bicycle only had one speed. It was similar, in fact, to the bike she’d ridden all over the neighborhood as a child. He swept a hand over the upright handlebars, fitting his fingers around the tasseled grips, then looked up to meet her eyes with a provoking grin. “Nice bike.”

Haley sighed, used to the odd looks and comments she attracted with her metallic-blue 1976 Huffy. “It does the job and it’s made for a short person.” She paused a beat. “And I already killed two ten-speeds because I never remembered to shift gears properly. This was ten bucks at a garage sale and it’s perfect for the short trip to work. Saves on gas.”

Casually, he tested the front tire, a slight frown wrinkling his brow. “You need new tires. These are almost bald. Why don’t you come by my shop this weekend and I’ll get you set up.” His offer was absently sincere and, from the look on his face, almost immediately regretted.

“You own a bike shop?”

“Mmm. The one around the corner from your toy shop.”

She eyed his physique, which obviously carried not one extra pound of fat, and conceded that he was very likely a biking enthusiast. Peter had been, too. In between tennis matches, he’d participated in a triathlon last year, a fact he liked to work into conversations with new acquaintances. And complete strangers. She gave Rick a cool smile. “I suppose you race, too.”

“Sometimes. Just a hobby.” He looked as though he were going to add something to that statement, then shrugged and smiled.

“Well, maybe I’ll have those tires looked at sometime. Thanks.”

“No problem. Guess I’d better leave you to it.” He nodded meaningfully at the clipboard, his eyes sparkling wickedly.

Her annoyance grew. “Yes, I suppose you’d better. Nice meeting you, Rick.”

“You, too, Haley. Incidentally, you might also try copy centers and, maybe, hobby shops.” He closed the door behind him, and Haley stuck her tongue out at it. Maybe not the most mature response, but it was gratifying.

A moment later, she snatched up her clipboard again and added these two items to her list of likely hangouts.

HER HAIR DRIPPING WET, Haley considered the options overflowing her closet. The packaging could make or break her, she knew. Best to go with something simple. Attractive but not threatening.

She tugged the fluffy towel more firmly around her breasts. With her free hand, she shoved aside bright colors, short hems and trendy cuts, before pulling out a pair of mostly unwrinkled khaki pants. What about tops? A simple long-sleeved T-shirt maybe? She tossed her finds into a pile on the bed and dropped the towel.

Opening a drawer of the antique dresser she’d refinished herself, she pulled out a pair of lacy peach panties and matching bra and pulled them on. Then she shrugged into her T-shirt and hopped her way into her slacks. After buckling the woven leather belt, she surveyed the effect in the mirror. Acceptable. Impatiently she flipped a wet lock of hair out of her face and behind an ear.

Earrings. Jewelry. What about jewelry? Simple hoop earrings. And her locket. Haley tapped a finger to her mouth. That would be perfect. A simple gold heart on a dainty chain, a Valentine’s Day gift from her late father. For luck.

She glanced wistfully at the chunky bangles she’d picked up at a flea market to go with a skinny little dress she’d found on sale a few months ago. Shaking her head resolutely, Haley closed her jewelry box. She went scavenging for a matched pair of socks, slipped them on, and reached for a hairbrush.

After ten minutes’ worth of blow-drying her reddish-brown hair and applying a touch of makeup, Haley decided she was as ready as she’d ever be. She ran down the stairs from her loft bedroom, grabbed her purse and headed out the door.

Thirty seconds later, she turned back and unlocked the door. She dug through a drawer of her desk until she found her computer manual, then hurried out once more.

She was dressed and armed.

“WELCOME TO COMPUTER NATION, ma’am. Is there something I can help you find?”

Haley turned in the direction of that nervous voice and came face to face with her first real-live computer nerd. Cruel to say it, even think it, she knew, but he certainly fit every stereotype she’d ever heard.

His brown eyes eager behind thick lenses, the man smiled at her, shifting nervously from one thin leg to the other. Kind of endearing, she allowed doubtfully. Certainly sincere. Haley’s smile widened. “I certainly hope so…Tim,” she finished, after reading the badge pinned to his ink-stained shirt.

Tim flushed, but he clapped his hands together gamely. “Okay, where do we start?”

“Well, I’m looking for a good financial management system. Computerized, obviously. Something to help me keep track of my accounts, maybe set up a budget.” Haley carefully injected a delicate air of helplessness into her request. She wasn’t lying about her need for software, but she probably could have selected it without any help.

Her delivery must have worked, too, because Tim was looking a little more at ease, obviously in his element now. “I think we can help you out. We have a pretty good selection, appropriate for different computers, different needs. Some of them are loaded onto the demo computers if you want to try them out.”

“Oh, good. I really think I’m going to need to try them all out before I know which one is right for me.”

At her dazzling smile, Tim flushed.

The man poised around the corner of an aisle, who’d turned at the sound of the familiar voice, rolled his eyes in disbelief. This was going to be good.

Keeping his distance, Rick kept pace with them, making sure to keep an aisle or display as buffer between him and the conversing couple.

Unable to resist a quick glance at his attractive neighbor, Rick peeked around the corner, chuckling silently at the wide-eyed look she was giving poor Tim. No doubt Tim was ready to spontaneously combust. The look was obviously meant to boost a fragile male ego, and it was working. In spades.

When Tim moved closer to demonstrate with the mouse while Haley stood at the keyboard, Rick’s amusement faded. Haley didn’t back away, and his mood lowered even more.

“Oh, Tim, that’s perfect. I’ve had so much trouble keeping track of my spending from month to month, but I think this program would keep even me on track. Do you think it will work with any computer?”

Tim’s voice and posture grew even more confident as he discussed computer speed, memory and various other factors that were only so much white noise to Rick. He’d already determined the maker and capabilities of the software Tim had demonstrated and knew it was compatible with almost any system. Tim did, too, he was sure, and was now just trying to impress the lady with his prowess.

To his disgust, Haley was wearing the most vacuously fascinated expression he’d ever seen on an intelligent woman’s face. Unable to bear witness to any more, Rick quickly selected an ink cartridge to fit the printer in his home office and headed toward the checkout lines.

He smiled at the cashier. “Hi, Cathy. Doing all right up here?”

“Yes, Mr. Samuels. I think I’m going to like working here.” She smiled at him.

“Good, good. If you have any questions, just ask Tim. He’s in charge of the store while I’m gone. I’ll see you in the morning.” He frowned. “No, wait. I’m putting time in at the bike shop tomorrow. Pass that along to Tim for me, would you? I’ll be back the day after, but he can call me if he runs into any problems.”

“Sure thing, Boss.”

As he was turning to leave, Rick heard the sound of Haley’s voice from somewhere close behind him.

“…Thank you so much for all your help, Tim. I’m pretty clueless when it comes to the nuts and bolts of computers.”

“My pleasure.”

Haley’s voice lowered. “I’ll see you Friday, then.”

Rick glanced over his shoulder, truly peeved now. Despite his unquestionable intelligence, Tim was grinning like a fool, patting his pocket and verbally tripping over himself in his effort to please.

“…I have your number right here. I’ll call you after I’m off work for directions.”

When Tim turned with obvious reluctance to greet a new customer, Haley went to pay for her new software, a satisfied smile on her face.

Still unaccountably annoyed, Rick exited the store, intending to lie in wait for her. He’d force himself to forget the sight of Haley playing up to Tim and instead play the cool, sophisticated interrogator so he could determine Haley’s intentions.

After all, Tim was young and impressionable. He deserved better than to be hurt by Haley’s geek-hunting ways. As Tim’s boss and friend, and knowing what he knew about Haley, Rick felt responsible for the guy. He was just doing Tim a good turn. Yeah, that’s the way he’d play it. Nothing personal; he was just looking out for his fellow man.

And he damn well was not going to act like a jealous, lovesick puppy. Even if he felt like one.

“EXPENSIVE FIRST DATE, Haley?” The male voice came from just over her right shoulder as Haley stepped out into the sunlight.

Her heart dropping to her knees, Haley whirled to face her provoking new neighbor. “Don’t you know better than to sneak up behind unsuspecting women?”

“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“What are you doing here anyway?” She turned and walked toward her car.

“I was just picking up some ink for my printer.” Rick shrugged and fell easily into step with her, his long legs taking one step for every two of hers. “I happened to hear a familiar voice and listened in. Boy, were you laying it on thick in there.”

“Just what are you trying to suggest?”

“I’m not suggesting anything. I’ve read that list of yours and I saw you moving in for the kill back there. It worked, too. Poor sucker didn’t even know what hit him, did he?” Rick shook his head in mock sorrow.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Oh, I think so. You went into that computer store intending to pick up some poor schmuck. You found him, buttered him up, and he was yours for the taking.”

Haley gritted her teeth but spoke evenly. “I went into that computer store to buy software. Tim was kind enough to help me and we had an enjoyable conversation. He asked me out Friday. I accepted. Simple as that.”

“Wow. A whole week in advance? Guy must be desperate.”

Haley’s jaw flexed harder, but she managed to hold on to the worst of her temper. “What is it with you? Is all of this because of what you read on my clipboard? Look, I apologize if you were offended, but it wasn’t meant to be seen by anyone but me. So why don’t you just put it out of your mind and we’ll both feel so much better.” She turned and marched off.

Rick hurried after her, catching her elbow before she could unlock her car door.

Haley froze, trying to ignore all the nerve endings that sprang to life at his touch. Not interested in princes. Not interested in princes. Maybe if she repeated that often enough it would be true.

He gentled his grip but didn’t release her. “Look, I’m sorry, okay? I guess it was just hard to have you turn me down flat yesterday then watch you make a date with another guy today. But I can take no for an answer.” He smiled ruefully, his eyes boyishly charming. “We’re neighbors. It’s probably not a good idea to go to war, right?”

Nervously, Haley began weaving her key chain in and out of her fingers, the tinkling sound helping to distract her from his nearness. She nodded. “Okay. Let’s just call a truce. Fair enough?” She glanced up cautiously.

Rick was shaking his head, his blue eyes reflecting the cool shade of the cloudless sky. “Nope. Not good enough. Let’s start over. Hi. My name’s Rick. You must be Haley, my next-door neighbor. How do you do?” He lifted the arm he still grasped and held its hand with his free one in a firm, if puppetlike, handshake.

Haley rolled her eyes at his clowning attempt but weakened under the pressure of that contagious smile. She sighed and reluctantly smiled back at him. “Hi, Rick. Nice to meet you. I hope my dog Sherlock hasn’t been disturbing you with all his barking.”

“I like dogs. You should introduce us some time. Like tonight maybe? Care to have me over for pizza?”

Her eyes narrowed. “I thought you could take no for an answer.”

“Come on, just pizza between neighbors. I promise. My treat. You can fill me in on the building. You know, good gossip, dos and don’ts, how to get on the manager’s good side so I can get my doorbell fixed. Harmless stuff.”

She eyed him warily, remembering the sourpuss who used to live in the next-door apartment. The older woman hadn’t been as understanding about Sherlock’s barking. Haley had been anticipating an eviction notice when the woman finally moved out. Given the unexpected reprieve, it behooved her to get along with her new neighbor if at all possible. “Well, as long as you’re not some serial killer or anything—”

“Nope. I’m harmless. Mostly. Besides, you have Sherlock for protection. He can chaperon.”

Haley nodded slowly. Belatedly, she realized her hand was still in his and she pulled it free of his warmth. “I suppose that would be all right. We’re neighbors. It only makes sense to get acquainted.”

“That’s the spirit. So, what time’s good for you?”

Haley looked at her watch. “Well, I need to stop off at the shop, see how things went today. So, how about giving me about an hour and a half, maybe two hours?”

“So, around five-thirty or six? Your place? I’ll bring pizza and napkins.”

“Make it six and you’ve got yourself a—”

“—date?” Rick’s eyes widened with sparkling innocence.

“—deal.” Haley eyed him doubtfully. “This is not a date. We’re just neighbors getting acquainted.”

“Okay, if you say so. See you at six, Haley.”

Twenty minutes later, Haley swung into The Toy Boxx and flipped the sign to Closed. It was ten minutes early, but the shop was empty and she needed to debrief in private. She patted her pockets, dug through her purse. Key…in her desk. She’d lock up later.

“I’ll be with you in a minute.” Jen’s voice drifted pleasantly from the back room.

“Take your time. It’s just me. And I closed the shop.” Haley tossed her purse on the counter and turned to pull down the blinds.

“So what happened?” Jen emerged from the back room, carrying a box of shopping bags with the store’s logo on the front. She stashed them under the counter and pulled out an old-fashioned feather duster.

“I’ve got a date. Two, kind of, if you count Rick.”

Jen’s eyes widened. “Tell me.”

Haley started tidying shelves, straightening fallen teddy bears and restacking packaged cars. As she did so, she described her encounter with Tim.

“Okay, so what did you think of him?” Jen asked when Haley wound down.

Haley shrugged. “He seemed like a nice guy.”

“Did you discuss anything besides financial software?” Jen asked, mildly exasperated.

“Well, my computer, the system here.” Haley smoothed the hair on a doll before setting her next to her sisters. She looked up. “What more do you want? I only spoke to him for about twenty minutes and I was there for software. He seemed nice, he asked me out, and I decided, ‘Why not?”’

Jen shook her head and began whisking the duster back and forth across the blinds.

Noticing the head shaking and the rueful smile on her friend’s face, Haley threw out her hands in disgust. “What? I met what appeared to be a nice, unassuming kind of guy. A geek, if you want to be unkind about it. And he asked me out. Mission accomplished, right?”

“I knew this was a mistake, Haley. At this rate, you’re going to end up either stuck with some reliable guy who means nothing to you, or still dating at the age of ninety.”

Haley laughed. “I don’t think I’m that hopeless. I just need to get my feet wet, you know? I haven’t dated anyone but the prince charmings of the world. If things work out with Tim, great. If not, no harm done. Consider it a practice date.”

Jen studied her friend. “I suppose that’s reasonable.” She smiled slightly, her eyes narrowing. “So tell me about this Rick.”

“Well, you’ve already met him. He was the guy who was in here the other day while I was having my tantrum.”

Jen’s eyes widened and she smiled. “Oooh, Haley. Very nice.”

Haley made a face. “He’s also my new neighbor.”

“Your neighbor?”

“Next door. He’s coming over tonight for pizza.” Haley regarded Jen sternly. “But it’s just a neighbor thing.”

“Why?” Jen eyed her as if Haley had lost her mind.

Haley plopped down on the floor. She rested back against a massive teddy bear, letting its huge arms encircle her shoulders. “Because he’s beautiful. Mouthwatering.”

Jen stopped dusting. “And?”

“What else is there to say? He’s a hunk and I’ve sworn off hunks.” At that reminder, Haley dropped her hot face into her hands. “And he knows it.” The last came out in an embarrassed squeak.

“He knows it? What did you do? Tell him?” Jen’s voice rose in disbelief.

Haley looked up, her cheeks still hot. “Of course not. I’m not that stupid.” She described their encounter in the hallway, ending with a disgruntled sigh. “So, I guess that will teach me not to put incriminating evidence in writing.”

“Oh, Haley.” Jen grimaced in sympathy. “So, how did all this evolve into a pizza date tonight?”

“Well, I ran into him at the computer store today.” Haley whipped her hair behind her ears, the movement vicious. “He heard me with Tim. I must have sounded like a complete idiot. Defenseless maiden in need of guidance from the computer expert.” When Jen rolled her eyes, Haley’s voice rose in her own defense. “Tim was nervous of me. I had to do something to put him at ease. What would you have done?”

Jen shrugged. “So how did Rick react to all this?”

“He seemed kind of put off by it.”

“And that’s why you’re having dinner together tonight?” Jen sounded baffled.

“I guess he decided to give me the benefit of the doubt. In the interest of good neighbor relations.”

Jen smiled shrewdly at her friend. “Pretty lame, but I’ll buy it if you want me to. Tell me about Rick. Does he have anything approaching a personality? What about a job?”

Haley sighed in frustration but calmed enough to consider the questions. “Well, you know he’s good-looking. Kind of like Brad Pitt, but bigger, less pretty. Remember? And these incredible blue eyes.” She smiled ruefully. “Plus a body that won’t quit. Nice shoulders, tall, he obviously works out. I know he bikes. In fact, he owns a bike shop. As far as personality goes, though,” Haley frowned, irritation darkening her eyes, “he’s just what you’d expect from a guy who looks like that.”

“Boring?”

One eyebrow rose. “No, that he’s not. Just arrogant and provoking. Endlessly, annoyingly provoking. It’s like sparring with an immature older brother.”

Jen burst out laughing. “He sounds perfect for you. Have your pizza and your man with my blessings.”

“Now wait just a minute—”

A jingle and an imperious voice interrupted her protest. “Hello? Darling?”

Haley jumped to her feet. “Mom!”

She watched in mingled delight and dread as her smartly dressed mother strode crisply into the store. She tugged Haley into her arms for a warm hug.

Haley returned the hug absently, her eyes taking in the sight of the man who had sauntered in behind her. Oh, boy. Not again. Damn, she should have locked the door. Not that she minded the view. Indeed, it was fine. Too fine. Her mother was trying to stack the deck against her.

She pulled back, smiling determinedly at her mother. “What brings you here today?” As if I didn’t know.

Clara Watson just as determinedly ignored the silent accusation. “I wanted to visit my daughter and I brought along a friend.” She turned a brilliant smile on Mr. Smooth, Dark and Sculpted. “Adam Harding, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Haley.”

Haley transferred her gaze to the man who appeared to be in his mid-thirties. He was undeniably good-looking, a few inches shy of six feet tall, and wearing a smile that radiated charisma. Haley offered her hand and a polite smile. “Hello, Adam. Nice to meet you.” She withdrew her hand after a brief shake. “So how do you two know each other?”

Clara smiled proudly. “We featured Adam on the Show Me Show a few weeks ago, and I have to say he looked just marvelous on TV. The camera adores him. My ratings went right through the roof that morning. He also happens to be local, can you believe it?” She gazed meaningfully at her daughter. “In fact, his family’s been local for over a hundred years. Isn’t that right, Adam?”

“Yes, ma’am.” It was a rich, smooth voice, but somehow it fell flat on Haley’s ears. Maybe she was actually building up a resistance to gorgeous, charming men. “You have a beautiful mother and an intriguing store, Haley. It’s nice to meet you.”

“Thank you.” Haley’s smile felt tight. She felt her mother’s unspoken command to turn on the sparkling wit and ignored it, remaining stubbornly nonsparkling. She felt Jen move up beside her, silently amused but supportive.

“Hi, Mrs. Watson.” She greeted Clara then turned to the man at her side. “Hi, I’m Jennifer Grayson, Haley’s business partner.” She offered her hand.

“Oh, good. Perhaps you could help me find a book for my niece while Haley and Clara visit?” He smiled charmingly as he shook hands.

Jen’s smile was dazzling. Haley resisted the urge to stomp on her friend’s foot. Her mother didn’t need any encouragement—and Jen was happily married.

Jen tossed her a glance, easily interpreted as I’m married, not dead. Then she gestured to the books across the store as she led the way, chatting politely with Adam.

Haley turned back to her mother.

“Isn’t he handsome?” Clara’s hushed voice vibrated with enthusiasm.

“Oh, very.”

“He’s rich, too. All kinds of attorneys and judges and business people in his family. An established name, good connections. And so charming. He took me to lunch the other day and ordered in French. Very impressive. Don’t you think so?” Her sparkling eyes avidly perused the tall man.

“Oh, sure.” Haley’s eyes remained stubbornly on her mother.

At Haley’s flat tone, Clara turned back to frown at her daughter. “So why am I getting this attitude? I worked very hard to find a man I thought would impress you.”

Haley gritted her teeth. “I appreciate all the hard work, Mom, but please stop all this. It’s humiliating. Do you think I’m so unattractive I can’t find a man myself?”

“Oh, no, honey. I’m just trying to save time. At twenty-eight, your childbearing years are slipping away before my eyes. I want grandchildren before I’m old and drooling in the home.”

“Mom!”

“Honestly, Haley. Your father’s gone, and you’re all I have left. It would break my heart if you didn’t start a family of your own. I don’t want you to be lonely, and frankly, I don’t want to die alone while you work yourself to death.”

“If you’re so lonely, maybe you ought to be the one dating, not me.” As soon as the words left her mouth, Haley wished she could call them back. She stared into her mother’s wide eyes. “Oh, Mom. I’m sorry. Really. I know you and Daddy—I didn’t mean—”

Clara stared, her perfectly powdered chin quivering slightly. “No, it’s okay. Maybe you’re right. Maybe I’ve been putting too much of a burden on your shoulders. I’m sorry.” She made a visible effort to smile. “I guess I won’t call the other men on the list, then.”

“List?”

Clara waved it off. “Never mind.”

A cha-ching of the cash register distracted them both, and soon Jen and Adam joined them. After a few moments of polite conversation, during which Haley felt lower and lower, Clara and Adam left together.

After the door closed behind them, Haley slumped into a miniature chair. “I’m pond scum. Absolute slime. Lower than slime. Bacteria reject me as substandard host material.” Haltingly, Haley related events to Jen. “And Dad’s only been gone three years. Mom was devastated. I’m such a creep.”

Jen shook her head, a sympathetic smile on her face. “That was a little rough, Haley.”

“No kidding. I’m really tired of her parading men in front of me, but I could have just said so without being mean.”

Jen cocked her head. “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe she needed to hear the ‘mean’ part, too. Your mom’s an attractive woman still.”

Haley’s eyebrows raised high. “You think she should start dating again? But she’s my mother.”

“Oh, don’t be juvenile, Haley.” Jen spoke with the blunt familiarity of lifelong friendship. When you shared jump rope, puberty and boys, then remained friends into adulthood, there wasn’t much you couldn’t say to one another.

Haley sighed. “I suppose. I’m still going to call her and apologize, though.”

“Mmm. Not a bad idea. Sure you don’t want to date Adam?”

“I’m sure.”

Jen smiled. “Something tells me you prefer tall blond men who like dogs, bikes and pizza. Right?”

“Wrong.”

“Oh, come on. He sounds fantastic. I think you should go out with him.”

Haley eyed her incredulously. “Hello? Where were you when we talked about all this earlier? I’m through with the Adams and the Ricks of this world. Not only is Rick a hunk, just like all the other jerks I’ve dated, but he also annoys me to no end. Do you want to see me arrested for murder? Some friend you are.”

“I’m sure you’re right.” But Jen still looked highly amused.

Haley scowled and finished reorganizing the boxed games before helping Jen lock up for the rest of the weekend. No way would she admit that she still couldn’t rid her memory of a pair of wicked blue eyes taunting and tempting her. She headed home with not a few misgivings about the evening’s plans.

3

WHEN THE DOORBELL RANG promptly at six, Haley wiped nervous palms on her jeans. The pants were part of the third outfit she’d tried on this evening. She’d wanted to strike just the right note of casual friendliness. This was not a date.

Still, she couldn’t set her vanity aside so completely as to dress in her scrubbiest clothes. She’d finally settled on worn but figure-hugging jeans, and a pretty V-neck T-shirt in a shade of coral that did nice things for her hair and complexion. Attractive without being provocative. Okay. She was ready.

Plastering a friendly smile on her face, Haley swung the door open. And forgot to breathe.

There Rick stood, sinfully masculine in faded jeans and a white T-shirt. Granted, the outfit was simple, but when those clothes, simple as they were, were wrapped around a body like Rick’s, they took on a life and sexuality of their own.

“Hi.” Rick stood grinning in the doorway, a pizza box in his hands. His grin faltered at her lack of response. “All right if I come in?”

Haley jumped. Inhaled. “Oh, sure.” She stepped back—way back—to admit him. One touch, and dear lord, she’d—

“Great. I brought a six-pack, too. Do you drink beer?” He sent a curious glance over his shoulder.

“Oh, sure.” Do you drink arsenic, Haley? Oh, sure, Rick, anything you offer me with that sexy wave of hair falling over your eye…getting all tangled up with long, silky eyelashes. Oh, heaven help me.

“So where’s our chaperon?” Rick set the pizza down on the table and looked around the apartment, his gaze traveling up the stairs. At the top was a tall, well-chewed baby gate Haley had fashioned in front of the entrance to her loft bedroom. A dark-eyed puppy with floppy ears and massive paws stared down at him. The dog, a chocolate Labrador, whined pathetically from behind the barrier. Rick grinned and turned back to Haley.

“Sherlock?”

“The dog I kidnapped, you mean?” Her senses returning, Haley raised a sarcastic eyebrow.

He grinned sheepishly.

She relaxed, her gaze sweeping upward to study her pet with affectionate resignation. “Yeah, that’s him. He’s a little rowdy with guests, so I usually confine him when I have company.”

“Aw, let the poor guy out.”

She eyed him doubtfully.

“So maybe he’ll jump on me a little or slobber all over the place.” He shrugged. “I can take it. Want me to let him out?”

“Go for it, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She watched in expectant glee as Rick loped up the stairs and fumbled with the gate before finally removing the barrier.

With a joyful bark and a romp, the dog planted both paws on Rick’s stomach. With a surprised woof of his own, Rick doubled over and stumbled down a step or two. His chest heaved as he worked to regain the breath the dog had forced from his lungs.

Giggling, Haley watched as Sherlock leaped down the stairs, then ran right back up them. He paused to jump and slobber and whine for the sheer joy of a newfound companion. Then he bounded back down the steps. Before the dog could leap up them again, Rick grabbed the dog’s collar with a practiced hand. “Sherlock. Down.”

Her giggles dwindled to a disbelieving chuckle as she watched her incorrigible puppy sit and stare, unmoving even after Rick released the leather collar. When Sherlock’s rump started to bounce right back off the floor, Rick employed the same, firm tone. “No. Down.” The rump hit the floor again. Sherlock cocked his head in curiosity.

Feeling her own head cock with similar emotions, Haley just stared.

After a long moment, Rick patted the puppy on his silky head and fell to his knees in front of him. “Good dog. Way to go, boy.” He scrubbed and tugged at the dog’s ears until the animal slid to the floor, a boneless mass of ecstasy.

Rick laughed and gave the dog a last pat, then rose to his feet.

“That’s incredible. How’d you do that?” Haley glanced back and forth between dog and man. Her shock gave way to irritation that her own pet would obey this stranger before he’d listen to his devoted mistress.

Rick shrugged, his smile easy. “I’m good with dogs. Sherlock here is just a pup, and he’s got a lot of heart. He just needs a firm voice and consistency. So, ready for dinner? I’m starved.” He shoved his hands in his back pockets. The posture stretched the denim taut across his hips, emphasizing his flat belly and the fullness behind his zipper.

Wrenching her eyes from the sight, Haley swallowed hard and tried for a breezy smile. “Kitchen’s in there.” The direction was basically moot, since the first floor of her apartment was one big room, divided only by the flow of furniture. And the pizza was already sitting on the kitchen table.

“Great.” Rick moved into the kitchen area. A docile Sherlock padded along behind him then dropped down on a braided rug for a nap. Rick casually glanced at an antique teddy bear collection arranged above cabinets painted a cheerful yellow. Smiling at some inner thought, he turned his attention back to the pizza box.

Haley joined him in the kitchen, careful to sidle around the table so it was always positioned between her body and Rick’s. “So, um, have a seat.”

“Thanks.” Rick dropped easily into a chair and flipped open the pizza lid. While Haley lifted a piece out, strings of cheese dangling from the slice, Rick popped the tops of two beers and slid one across the table to her. “I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I just ordered a garbage pizza. I figured you could pick off anything that you didn’t want.”

“Mmm, no. This is great.” She sank her teeth into the loaded-down slice, thankful for the distraction of food.

Once they were both satisfied, leaning back comfortably in their chairs, Haley grinned lazily at Rick. “Thanks for the pizza.”

Ah, pizza, the great equalizer, she mused silently. Watching each other slurp dangling strings of cheese and lick tomato sauce off fingers tended to knock down any barriers to communication. No longer intimidated, she felt downright benevolent. In that mode, she gave way to her curiosity about the man seated in her kitchen, a stranger to her until just a few days ago.

“So, neighbor, tell me about yourself. Are you new in town or just new to the building?”

“Just new to the building.” His face was curiously blank.

“Are you native to the St. Louis area?”

He shook his head. “I grew up in Chicago and moved here about five years ago.”

“Chicago, huh? And so you moved here to work at a bike shop?” She gave him a puzzled look.

He paused. “That’s right. I like St. Louis. Is that a problem?”

“No, of course not.” She shrugged. “I guess you just strike me as a little more cerebral than the average jock. I thought maybe…” She gave him a speculative look.

He returned the look. “You thought that maybe…?”

“Well, I just wondered if you had other ambitions. I mean, I’m sure a bike shop’s a lot of fun, but…”

“But?” His smile was even more challenging.

She studied him, then tried a smile. “But nothing, really. I was just curious. We are playing get to know your neighbor, right?”

“Right.” He relaxed back in his chair, but his eyes were still alert. “So, neighbor, what about you?”

“Well, you know about the toy shop.”

His smile widened. “I like your toy shop.”

“Thanks.” She relaxed, her smile easier.

“So are you from here originally, then?”

“Born and bred in the area. Although there are days when I think I could easily be convinced to move to Timbuktu.” She made a face. “My mother…worries.” Remembering her harsh words earlier that day, and a telephoned apology that didn’t quite make up for it, she felt a tug at her heart. “She worries a lot, actually.”

“I see.” His smile widened. “And should she?”

Haley cocked her head, thinking, then grinned. “Well, now that you mention it…” She waved off the idea before continuing in a more serious tone. “No, not really. I’m pretty tame. Not all that bright sometimes.” She paused, reflecting briefly on her erstwhile boyfriend and various dates who’d been just like him. “But probably not dangerous to others.”

“Just dangerous to yourself,” Rick surmised, nodding. “I guess you’re referring to your love life?”

She looked down at the napkin she’d begun to shred. “What makes you say that?”

“Oh, probably something to do with your geek-hunting project. And that nauseating conversation I overheard at the computer store today.”

She scowled at him. “I thought we were calling a truce, neighbor.”

“Truce or no truce, you can’t just leave me hanging.”

“Oh, I don’t know. I think I could leave you hanging very easily.” She stared pointedly at him.

Rick laughed. “By my neck at the end of a rope, you mean?”

“It’s sounding awfully tempting, yes.”

“For such a little thing, you can be pretty blood-thirsty.” Rick’s eyes glinted with mischief. He opened his mouth, no doubt intending to provoke her further.

The screech of her chair sliding back from the table cut off whatever he might have said. She smiled determinedly. “I guess we’re through here.” She stood up and folded the empty pizza box over, dropping empty cans and dirty napkins on top of it. Balancing the mass, she turned to dump it into the trash. “Well, Rick. It’s been fun. I’m sorry you had to leave so suddenly, but I understand how things can be. Don’t be a stranger. Really.” She smiled winningly at him, hoping he’d simply follow her lead.