In Too Deep (Man of the Month 10)

"Hell no," Hannah said, "Matthew would have whooped Easton's ass."

"Careful," Easton retorted. "Or I'll put you down for all of next month's court appearances and I'll stay in the office and write the briefs."

"I take it back. Your utter hotness would have decimated Matthew." She met Selma's eyes and shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a lawyer. I know how to lie."

Easton tossed a tortilla chip at her, but then the contest started in full, and they all fell silent.

One by one, the men paraded across the stage. Matthew was fifth, and as far as Hannah was concerned, he looked like sin personified. The crowd seemed to agree, because when he dramatically peeled off his shirt--then tossed it to a nearby table of screaming women--the whole place went wild. He smiled at the women, then searched the crowd, found Hannah, and winked.

"Oh, yeah," Hannah said, blowing him a kiss. "He's totally gonna win."

Later, as contestant number nine started down the red carpet, she shifted in her seat, trying to catch a server's attention. She didn't get that far. Because there, standing in the doorway and looking as cold as the tundra, was Ernest.

"Um, I'll be right back."

She hurried to him, certain he was overwhelmed by the raucous crowd. Honestly, who wouldn't be? The place was packed, and if you just wandered in...

She frowned, remembering that there was a doorman and tickets. "How did you get in?"

"We need to talk. Outside. Where I can speak without damaging my vocal cords."

She nodded, fear creeping up her body. She told herself not to worry. There was nothing to be afraid of.

How wrong she was.

"That man," Ernest began, his voice tight, "is not for you. Bad enough that he has no education whatsoever, but to strip on stage? What the devil are you thinking?"

"No education? He made himself. What the hell happened between our dinner and now?"

"I did more research," Ernest said. "Saw his picture on advertisements for this ridiculous meat market."

"What? This contest is for a good cause."

"Cancer research is a good cause. Saving a bar is an excuse to get drunk."

"That is so not true. And what does it matter, anyway? It's not as if he works for you. And he's in fitness. Showing off how fit he is actually makes good business sense."

"But you being with him doesn't. I'm sorry, Hannah, but we need you to show better sense if you're going to take tha

t money. Your father would want you to do better. So do your mother and I."

Fury spewed from her. "My father was a cop. He had a high school education and was dedicated to helping people. Do you even know anything about Matthew? My father would have adored him."

His steady gaze bore straight through her. "But he's dead, Hannah. And so we'll never know that for sure, will we?"

"Ernest--"

"Your mother and I talked it over. Find another man, and you can have the money. That's final."

He turned away, and she stood frozen to the spot as he disappeared in the evening crowd.

She didn't even realize she'd pulled out her phone and was dialing until she heard her mother's voice mail message announcing that she was away from her phone.

Dammit.

She sent a text instead.

No answer.