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bottle across
the bar top in front of Clay, the shiny aqua label snagging her
attention. More a silvery aqua, it was crisp and pretty.
    “Thanks,” he said to the man, then asked her,
“Is it personal or professional?”
    Unfamiliar with the brand, she allowed her
mind to drift. “Both, actually.”
    “Anything you care to share?”
    Completely ignored in the conversation, Sam
seemed content to watch. Pulling an olive from its stick with her
teeth, she slowly chewed.
    Briefly settling her gaze on Charlie talking
to the women, his patently obvious method of come-on revolting even
from this distance, Sydney wondered how the girls could stand
listening to him. “Charlie mistreated a friend of mine,” she said
at last, the din of conversation rising around her.
    Clay frowned. “Sorry to hear it.”
    “Yes, well, seems to be a habit of his,” she
said and looked at Clay, uninterested in masking her contempt,
“though it seems to me you should know that better than
anyone.”
    “Because we’re friends?”
    She wondered at his surprise. Who better
if not you , she thought, glancing askance at him.
    “Charlie and I grew up together, but once he
left for college he didn’t look back. In fact, it’s been a few
years since I’ve seen him so we’ve been trying to catch up. I’m
actually staying at his place until my parents arrive for the
events.”
    Sam popped back in. “Events?”
    “Special Olympics.”
    She drew a line between them with her gaze,
as though pulling the two closer together. “Do you work with the
Special Olympics?”

Chapter Four
     
     
    “My son is one of the athletes,” Clay said to
Sam, but closed in on Sydney, as though her reaction to his
revelation was most important.
    His son ? In the Special
Olympics ?
    Sam tapped Sydney with a rapt gaze and asked,
“What sport?”
    “He’s a swimmer.”
    “You his coach?”
    Clay laughed. “Hardly. I’m more like the
support staff.”
    “He pretty good?”
    He beamed and raised his beer. “Stands a
chance to win the gold.”
    “Sydney here is your liaison for the events,”
Sam said, tapping her on the arm. “She can get you whatever you
need.”
    “That’s what I hear,” he said, then flipped
up his beer for a swig, a steady eye on Sydney.
    “More like assistant to the Special Olympics
organization,” she clarified, embarrassed by Sam’s assertion. “Most
of the details have already been handled. My job is to
facilitate.”
    “She’s too modest,” Sam said. “It’s her job
to make sure your events run smoothly and the athletes and their
families enjoy themselves while they’re here.” She thrust a
shit-eating grin behind the last statement.
    He smiled, a tad too wide for casual
appreciation. “I like the sound of that.”
    Sam simmered in a knowing grin, downed her
martini and stood. “It was nice to meet you, Clay.”
    Sydney’s heart lurched. “ What ? Where
are you going?”
    “I have a date with Vic.” She winked to Clay.
“And I don’t like to keep my man waiting.”
    Sydney doubted she had any such date, but to
call her on it in front of Clay would only reveal her obvious
motive of pushing the two of them together.
    Reaching for her purse, Sam opened her wallet
and pulled out a bill. “Here’s some money for my drink.”
    Clay raised a hand in protest, “Let me get
this round.”
    She smiled at his offer. “Thanks, but I want
to give my new friend a special bonus,” she said, sliding a
mischievous gaze toward the young bartender. “Ensures me prompt and
courteous service next time around.”
    “Somehow, I don’t think you have any trouble
in that department,” he returned, his features mellowing in
admiration.
    “I like him,” Sam said to Sydney. “Too bad I
can’t stay.”
    Sydney spied the twenty dollar bill and
thought, not bad for five minutes of the man’s time. “Give my
regards to Vic, will you?” she directed Sam. “Tell him he’s a lucky
man to steal you away from me tonight of all