Read One Last Shot (Cupid's Conquests) for Free Online Page A

there.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” The driver gave her a copy of the ledger and rolled his loaded dolly inside .
    “Did you give him a shiner?” John said, still chuckling.
    “Nah.”
    “Damn.”
    “I broke his nose.”
    That sent John into a fresh whoop of laughter. “Not that he didn’t deserve it, but what’d he do this time?”
    “Denied my loan at the bank.”
    “Shit, I’m sorry, Shel. I guess they won’t be too eager to work with you down there after that.”
    “ I guess not.” A bit of remorse crept up inside, but she’d find another way. “ Can I have my coffee now?”
    “You’ve damn well earned it,” he said , handing it over.
    “Hey, John , y our cousin sells real estate, right?”
    “Yeah. He was top agent last month.”
    “Tell him to call me.”
    He held her stare for a full minute like he was gauging how serious she was, but he finally nodded and pulled out his cell phone.
    #
    Justin pulled in the parking lot, relieved to see the white Mustang parked in back. The bar wouldn’t be open for another hour and he hoped to get at least a few minutes alone with Shelby . His phone buzzed as he headed for the backdoor . One glance at the caller ID and he hit ignore, sending Sean’s call to vo icemail for the third time this morning . He stepped through the backdoor as John walked out of the storeroom. The linebacker-sized bouncer blocked the hallway and glared down at him. They’d shared a few classes back in high school , had even got ten drunk together a time or two, but there was no love in John’s face. Unlike most people in town, he and the rest of the staff at Shooters weren’t so thrilled about his homecoming.
    “Hey, John. Is Shelby around?”
    “She’s in a meeting.”
    “I just need a minute.” The pit yawning in his stomach couldn’t wait until closing time for answers. “Please, man.” Something must have shown in his eyes because John relaxed his stance and stepped out of the way. John wrapped his thick fingers around Justin’s arm before he could pass.
    “She’s had a shitty day already. You make it worse, you’re out on your ass.” His level stare said it wasn’t an idle threat.
    Justin agreed, slipped passed the bouncer, and followed the sound of voices to the front of the bar where Shelby sat at a corner table, papers spread between her and a guy he didn’t recognize.
    “So you’ll have the listing posted today?” she asked.
    “As soon as I get back to the office,” the man said then lifted his eyes and recognition dawned across his face . “Holy shit! I heard you were back in town.” The man stood and held out his hand to Justin . “I’m Tim Harris. It’s great to meet you, man. I’m a big fan.”
    “Thanks, Tim. Nice to meet you, too. I hate to interrupt, but do you think I could have a minute with Shelby ?” He saw her shift from the corner of his eye, but he had to get rid of this guy first.
    “Sure thing . We were just wrapping up.”
    “Don’t you need anything else from me?” she asked.
    “No, no, we’re good. I just need your key. I’ll make a copy and drop it back off to you before closing.”
    Shelby slid a key across the table. Tim snatched it, shook Justin ’ s hand again and was gone. The papers, the key, the slick dressed man all started to click in Justin ’ s mind . H e was about to ask Shelby what she was doing when s he pushed away from the booth, walked to the nearest table and started pulling the chairs down, setting up for the lunch crowd. His chest clenched at the tension in her shoulders , bringing back the real reason he was here to see her . Still reeling from their amazing night and his discovery , t he last reaction he expected from her was this. A hello or, hell, even a hug would have been a little more appropriate. But this?
    “Good morning, Shel.”
    “Look, J ay , I’ve got a lot going on right now. Can we do this later?” She jerked the last chair down and moved to the next table.
    “Do what later?”
    “I