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nights, and a foul temper. When he’d spotted her car in the parking lot of the park he’d been much too delighted with the idea of seeing her again.
    He had to get it under control. And fast. Be damned the consequences. In his line of work distraction was a dangerous thing. His lungs burned as he started another loop of the park. Brent knew how to get Tippy out of his system, and though it was a selfish act, he wouldn’t deny himself the pleasure.
     

Chapter 4
     
    Sexual frustration was a bitch. Tippy scrubbed her kitchen floor on hands and knees, because a mop simply wouldn’t expend the pent up energy. Her vibrator was laughable, what she wanted had the sexiest blue eyes she’d ever seen, and a voice that made her melt.
    Her phone chirped, and her heart rate jumped. Brent? No, she chided herself, he didn’t have her number. Days had passed since their rendezvous behind the oak tree, and though she kept up her walking routine, he hadn’t made another appearance at the park. Though she’d come home from a shopping trip the day after the park make-out session to find a strawberry banana smoothie sitting by her doorstep and a brief note, Sorry about the last one. How could one man be so hot and cold at the same time? Yes, she could call Brent, but sheer ornery pride wouldn’t allow it.
    She stood and grabbed her cellphone from the counter top, seeing that Nick had texted her. Found a new job, can you give me a reference. Tippy frowned, Nick needed a job to provide for his growing family, but if he liked this job, would he come back once her bookstore reopened?
    “Don’t be so selfish,” she grumbled, typing a ‘yes’ reply. At least she had a new distraction for a few minutes. She picked up her cleaning supplies, put them away, then went to her laptop to type up Nick’s reference. Outstanding employee, always on time, etc., etc. She sighed once she finished, and forwarded it on to Nick. It felt like she’d just closed a chapter on her life she’d never get back. Rebuilding her store seemed to be slipping farther and farther away from her.
    A knock on her door made her jump. Brent! She forced her steps to be slow as she went to answer it. She refused to look too eager. But when she opened the door, a pair of brown eyes met hers, not the blue ones she’d so desperately hoped to see.
    “Uh, Jason?” Tippy said in greeting, disappointment growing. Ugh, Jason.
    “Hey,” Jason replied, shoving his hands inside his pockets in a nervous way. She’d gone on a few dates with the guy, but the chemistry sucked. She hadn’t seen him in over a month. “I was hoping to catch you at home.”
    Not sure what else to do, she waved him inside, then waited.
    “So anyway,” Jason continued, his cheeks taking on a ruddy hue. “I have this thing at work, and I really need a date. I know this is out of the blue, but I’m hoping you can go with me?”
    Jason worked as a networking engineer at a local corporation. Incredibly dull work as far as she could gather when he’d filled her in on their first date. For hours. He obviously lived for his job.
    No hovered on her lips, but her thoughts turned to Brent. He’d be angry if she went out on a date. Maybe they weren’t even remotely close to being a couple, but she had a feeling he wouldn’t want her seeing another guy. And what claim did he have on her? Zip.
    “Sure,” she said, forcing a smile onto her face. “When is it?”
    Jason seemed relieved, and he matched her smile—though his looked genuine. He clapped his hands. “Wonderful! It’s this Saturday. You don’t have to dress fancy, or anything, it’s a dinner with the company’s annual awards ceremony. I’ll pick you up at seven, if that’s okay?”
    “Perfect.” She saw Jason out then walked to the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of wine, and a wine glass, before returning to her couch. A long boring dinner with her equally boring date—poor Jason. She should’ve said no, it seemed cruel to only go out