The Thing About Trouble (Crystal Lake 1)

Blue sat down and sipped the last of her beer. She was more of a Pinot Grigio kind of gal, but the wine list at the Coach House was limited. The place was packed, and she let her gaze wander the crowd before sneaking a look at her watch.

“You’re not leaving,” Poppy said. “The night isn’t over yet.”

Their waitress, Marissa, dropped another jug of draft on their table. “Compliments of the men behind you.”

Blue glanced over her shoulder and spied three guys looking their way. She didn’t recognize them, but then again, she hardly knew anyone in town. One of them raised a glass in her direction and then headed their way. The other two followed, marching like ducks in a row.

“About time.” Kylie chuckled. “I was starting to think the men in this joint were playing for the other team.”

“Oh God.” Poppy groaned.

“What?” Kylie asked, reaching for her glass. “Seriously, we’ve been here for hours, and this is the first time someone’s bought us a drink. What gives? If this were LA, there’d be a line from our table to the door.” At the look on Poppy’s face, Kylie giggled. “Okay. Maybe not to the door, but at least to the bar area.”

“I dated the blond one, Mick.”

“Really?” Kylie turned and so did Blue. The man was certainly handsome, but didn’t seem like Poppy’s type. Not that Blue knew what her type was exactly. She just figured the mammoth jock wasn’t it.

“Yep. In grade five.”

Blue and Kylie chuckled at the look on Poppy’s face as she muttered, “He hasn’t changed at all.”

“He can’t be that bad.” Kylie eyed him up again.

“Oh yes, he can. He came into my store a few months ago and asked me out.” She paused dramatically. “To the hog races.”

“Wait. What?” Blue laughed. “Hog races?”

“Don’t ask.” Poppy grimaced.

“Geez. I’m not in LA anymore, that’s for sure.” Kylie shook her head.

“You ladies mind if we join you?” Mick grinned down at them.

Kylie winked, leaned toward the girls, and whispered, “He bought us a jug of beer, so let’s be nice.” She turned with a smile. “Cheers.” She held up her glass, and they all took a sip. But then her smile faded and her eyes widened. “Holy hell.” Kylie pointed. “Who is that?”

A man stood near the bar. He wore a plain black T-shirt spread tight over sculpted muscles, and faded jeans that cupped his ass like no one’s business. He was chatting up the waitress, and there was no mistaking that profile. For some reason, Blue’s heart b

egan to thud, and because she didn’t know the reason, she became flustered.

And yet she couldn’t tear her eyes away. Of course, Cam Booker would be here.

The waitress stared up at him as if he was the hottest man on the planet. Her chest was thrust forward, and she bit her lip in that coy, unmistakable way that screamed, I want you. It said I want to get down and dirty and have sex with you. During her stint in Vegas, Blue had seen the same look. A lot. Usually from women trolling for sugar daddies.

Blue studied Cam closely, her heart still thudding like a hammer in her chest. He smiled down at the woman, but his body language was casual. He might be looking to score, but he wasn’t all in with the waitress. Typical. He was biding his time in case something better came along.

He turned, and their eyes locked and held. The waitress was still chattering away, and he nodded absently, though his focus was on Blue. Or maybe it was their table.

“Who is that yummy piece of man-meat?” Kylie asked again, a low growl making her words husky in a way that screamed sex.

“Jesus, here we go,” Mick muttered, though no one paid him any mind.

Poppy turned to Kylie. “That, my friend, is Cam Booker, and he’s currently working for Blue.”

Blue dragged her eyes from Cam and felt like an idiot when everyone looked her way. “Yes,” she managed to say. “He’s doing some landscaping.”

“Lucky you,” Kylie said with a twinkle in her eye. “Is he single?”

“I don’t know,” Blue replied at the same time Poppy said, “One hundred percent.”