Guy Hater (Fisher Brothers 2)

This time it was Frank who broke our eye contact. He hustled away so quickly, I almost thought that I had done something wrong or had offended him in some way. When Ryan chased after him, I shot Britney a questioning look.

“That was . . . weird.” She gave me a wicked grin. “And hot.”

“I just thought it was weird,” I lied, willing the heat that had flared through my body to die down.

“I’ve never seen Frank look at anyone like that before,” Britney said as Ryan made his way back to us. “Not that I ever pay him that much attention, because he usually stays in the background.”

“Sorry about that, ladies,” Ryan said with a smile. “What can I get for you?”

As I scanned the menu, I couldn’t help but laugh at some of the cocktail names. “Guy Hater? No Bad Days? Adios Pantalones? Friendship Bracelet? These are ridiculous,” I said, still grinning.

Ryan faked a pout. “You’re hurting my feelings, Claudia.”

“I’m sure you’ll recover. I’ll take an Adios Pantalones.” I cast a sideways glance at Britney, who ordered a No Bad Days.

We watched as Ryan meticulously made each drink, taking his time before he presented us each with our works of art.

Tapping the bar, he said, “Next one’s on my socially awkward brother.”

I sat up straighter. “He’s not socially awkward,” I said, defending Frank as Britney shot me a surprised look.

“He’s not?” Ryan hiked one eyebrow. “What would you call it?”

I laughed. “I don’t know. But I don’t think that any of you Fishers have an awkward bone in your body.” I grinned, unable to stop myself from flirting back with him. “Except maybe you, Ryan.”

“I’m wounded.” His mock pout came back as he placed a hand over his heart.

“I’m sure you’ll survive. Britney here’s a great nurse,” I said, then we turned around to fight our way through the small crowd gathered at the bar.

“I didn’t know you were a nurse,” Ryan called after Britney, and I swallowed the laughter that threatened to bubble up.

“Oh yeah, I can heal you right up,” Britney called over her shoulder as she followed me.

Once we were clear of the crush at the bar, I scanned for somewhere to sit, or at least stand comfortably. Spotting enough space on one of the couches, I made a beeline for it and sat down before anyone else got the same idea.

Britney chastised me as soon as we sat. “A nurse? He believed you, dummy!”

“I was joking. You forgot to tell me that he was so gullible.”

She sipped her drink. “If thinking I’m a nurse gets me a date with Ryan, I don’t care. I’ll be anything he wants me to be.”

I shook my head. “You’re insane, you know that?

”

“I know, but my God.” She craned her neck to look toward the bar. “Look at him. I mean, just look at him.”

I followed her gaze toward where Ryan would be, but froze as the office door swung open and Frank stepped out. Tattoos I hadn’t noticed before snaked down his arms, tribal designs that were sexy as hell.

“Yeah, he’s something, all right,” I mumbled, drinking in the sight of him.

“Want to talk about insane, let’s talk about you and Frank Fisher. What the hell was that between you two? And don’t say nothing, because everyone saw it.”

“Saw what, exactly?” I asked, playing stupid but curious about her take on what happened.

“That eye contact. The two of you staring at each other like you were the last drops of water on the whole entire dried-up planet.” Britney narrowed her eyes at me before she took another sip of her drink.

“He’s really good-looking,” I said, not meeting her eyes as I sipped at my drink.