Chapter 3 #2
The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end and she quickly turned her back on him.
The man irritated her to no end, with everything he did and said.
Which was strange in itself; typically, she got along well with everyone.
She was a psychologist, so she understood when people were insecure, or behaved badly or unpleasantly out of self-doubt.
Everyone had weaknesses and she recognized most at first glance.
But with Connor… She found it disturbingly difficult to assess him.
What’s more, she had been so completely unprofessional in his presence.
She had spent half the night thinking about what kind of psychological profile she would give him after their first meeting, but he didn’t quite fit into a box yet.
He’d been temperamental yet controlled. Principled, but too willing to take risks. He obviously had a lot of friends, so he couldn’t be completely obnoxious all the time. Objectively speaking, though, his personality was about as pleasant as being punched in the face.
But since she wouldn’t admit that the man fascinated her, she filed him away under the psychological term everyday asshole.
“Rachel, we’re over here!” Maddie said, interrupting her thoughts.
“She knows that, babe. You almost dislocated your arm waving earlier,” her fiancé Matt said, patting her neck.
“Don’t call me babe, I’m not a pig. Besides, Rachel’s new here, she doesn’t know her way around yet. I just wanted to make sure she didn’t walk by.”
Rachel laughed, though she hunched her shoulders slightly.
She knew everyone at this table, but she didn’t really belong.
In her office, with her clients, she felt safe, competent and prepared.
But here, her opinion didn’t count so much, while the others’ weighed more heavily.
“I’m new, not blind. But thank you so much,” she said, trying to be polite, and sat between her sister and Hailey, who was bent over her phone with a worried expression.
“Everything okay?” Rachel asked cautiously.
“Yeah. It’s just the live feed from the security camera I installed in our office,” she answered absentmindedly. “I want to make sure Eggsy isn’t being mean to Scotland-Beard. She gets a bit territorial in our office.”
“Scotland-Beard is the goat?” Rachel guessed.
“Yes, because he’s so curious and has a nice beard,” Hailey explained matter-of-factly.
Matt grinned and shook his head. “That you even had to ask, Rachel.”
She smiled uncertainly. She liked Matt. He was easy to be around. Maddie couldn’t have chosen better.
“Having Scotland-Beard living in our office isn’t a permanent solution, Hailey,” Maddie stated somberly. “We’re a dating agency, not an animal sanctuary.”
“Well, we pay rent for the day and night. It only seems logical to me that someone should be there day and night,” she declared sanctimoniously.
“Besides, Scotland-Beard uses the litter box, so don’t worry.
Well, except when someone leaves their shoes in the office.
Then he poops in them.” She waved a hand.
“It seems everyone has their preferences.”
“Oh yeah,” Matt said dryly, “I prefer pooping in rubber boots. But only red ones. Otherwise, it would be silly.”
Maddie snorted and Rachel smiled broadly. She still felt like the new kid in school who had to find her clique — but, in her opinion, she’d found the coolest table right away.
Hailey sighed. “Hey, Matt, you guys don’t happen to want to open a petting zoo at your stadium?”
“What sports team doesn’t?” Matt replied lightly.
“But I’m just a small-time player. I don’t decide anything except which rookie gets his head shaved next.
Just ask the big boss.” He grinned and pointed to the man at Connor’s table who preferred the brown folder to human interaction.
“The owner of the L.A. Hawks is sitting up front with Jesus Quiztus’ Lawyers. This is your chance.”
Ah, so not a lawyer after all, but the owner of a hockey team…who had probably gone to law school. That mattered; her cacti were safe.
A pretty waitress with a red apron, black afro, gold earrings, and a loaded tray in her hand moved in front of Rachel, blocking her view, thus depriving her of the chance to continue psychoanalyzing from afar.
“So, a Tequila Sunrise for Maddie, but instead of orange juice, it’s with maté, so let’s call it the heart attack,” the waitress said lightly.
“A beer for your boring hockey fiancé. Something with milk, but the vegan kind, so technically not milk at all, for Hailey… And what would you like?” She smiled at Rachel.
“Um, I…”
“We must warn you,” Hailey interrupted hastily. “That’s a loaded question. Tara will ask you what you want once, and if you become a regular, she’ll bring it to you without you ordering it. So, with your answer, you’re setting the tone for the rest of your life.”
Tara rolled her eyes. “Don’t listen to her. It’s only for the next thirty-five years; I’ll retire someday. And if you tip me a million dollars, the drink is only for today.”
Rachel laughed. “Sorry, I gave my last million to my pizza guy, but I’d ask Matt.”
Matt shook his head stoically. “No way. If I give you one, they’ll all want one.”
“I’m devastated,” Tara replied dramatically. “But fine. Your drink order is enough for me, um…” She narrowed her eyes. “What’s your name again?”
“I’m Rachel and…”
“No!” Tara’s mouth fell open. “You're Rachel? The one who upset Connor so badly that he made the stupidest bet in the history of all bets — including me betting my cat yesterday that I'd only eat one piece of chocolate?” Her eyes shone like two balls of uranium. “Man, nice to meet you. Under the circumstances, the first drink is on the house! I’m your judge, by the way. I’m so happy.” Grinning, she leaned over and hugged her.
“Um, thanks?” A little overwhelmed, Rachel patted her back. She wasn’t used to people being so…warm and open. “But I don’t quite understand. You’re happy that I upset him? Aren’t you friends?”
“Oh, yeah. Connor is one of my best friends. What does that have to do with anything?” She laughed brightly.
“It’s just that Connor gets upset easily.
He also calms down rather quickly. Except when you put ice cubes in whiskey or someone insults Ada.
” She frowned. “Well, you managed to keep him angry, even a day later, and forced him into a rash decision. A stupid, spur-of-the-moment bet like that is completely out of character for Connor! We’re all going to have a lot of fun teasing him.
” She glanced over her shoulder surreptitiously.
“Cian – that’s the man who’s been staring at you super conspicuously!
– is your biggest fan. The only reason he didn’t bring you flowers is because he’s been Connor’s best friend for fifteen years, and he reckons he has to show loyalty.
But Izzie… Oh yeah, she’s coming over.” She nodded at the violet-haired woman who had been sitting at Connor’s table, who was now approaching them, and clearly considered greetings a monumental waste of time.
“You’re a little crazy, aren’t you?” she asked crisply with her arms crossed in front of her slim body. “Maddie always talked about how smart and elegant you were, not how crazy.”
Rachel blinked, puzzled. “I’m elegant?”
“Oh yeah.” Maddie nodded. “Even in Crocs, I would have put you in Vogue.”
She rolled her eyes. Her sister was silly. “I’m not crazy. Connor went too far, so I put him in his place.”
“Trying to put Connor in his place is rather crazy,” Hailey mused, rocking her head from side to side. “The guy is scary.” She jerked her head in his direction. “His nickname is Killer Whale.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. That guy's not scary. Global warming is scary. So if Connor moonlights as a greenhouse effect, I’ll reconsider if I’m scared.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Izzie replied tartly. “Being a divorce lawyer for Hollywood stars and starlets is way more lucrative than being a greenhouse effect.”
“The point is,” Rachel continued, rolling her eyes, “just because someone can scream doesn’t make them threatening, Hailey. It simply makes them more prone to hoarseness.”
Tara laughed. “I like you. This is going to be fun.”
“It’s going to be stressful!” Izzie countered with a sigh.
“Yeah, but the fun kind of stressful.”
“You don’t have to work with the guy!” Izzie grimaced, and that expression… Rachel studied her counterpart closer. She had dark brown eyes and an expressive face…
“You look familiar,” Rachel said slowly.
Izzie rolled her eyes, while Tara chuckled softly and whispered, “Your purple hair doesn’t fool anyone!”
“Yeah, yeah. Okay. I might have been a little famous for a short while.” She waved her hand. “Nothing worth mentioning. I was a star on a children’s show…”
Then it clicked. “Oh my God, yes! You’re Sahara! From: Better Listen to Sahara!”
“No, I’m Izzie, the woman who is telling you to shut up. I’m a private investigator, not an actress or a singer. I find dirt on people, and I don’t let anyone write about me anymore! And I’ll make sure neither of you cheats.” She waggled her index finger in Rachel’s face.
“I don’t plan on it, so there’s no need.”
A sharp crease appeared between Izzie’s eyebrows.
“Think so, huh? Then let me give you some advice: Don’t underestimate Connor.
I know he’s a little too intense, too harsh, easily gets worked up, and can effortlessly come across as an asshole, but shit, the guy’s smart.
And ambitious. He’s got a six-pack, two sisters who taught him how to handle women, and he can be charming. So make an effort.”
Charming? Connor? In his dreams. And so what, he had a six-pack! That didn’t interest…anyone. Hot, rich, smart men with killer smiles were a breed no woman liked!
Shit. She had a problem.
“Okay. I will,” she said firmly.
“Fantastic.” Izzie nodded curtly and disappeared back to Connor’s table.
“She means well,” Tara said. “She’s also a bit intense and direct. That’s why she gets along so well with Connor. So, what do you want to drink?”
“Gin Buck, but with Hendricks, not Bombay?”
“Ah, a connoisseur, all right.” Tara laughed and strolled back to the bar.
Rachel watched her go before her gaze briefly flicked back to Izzie. Then she exhaled deeply. “Man. You all are…an intense bunch.”
“Warm and wonderful, you mean,” Maddie corrected, laughing.
“We just get up in each other's grills because all our businesses are next to each other, we compete with the Santa Monica Pier, and we like to help each other out. And you’re officially a member now. You work with us and live on the same street as Tara and Connor. So, welcome!”
Maddie’s last words were a squeal of joy that numerous dolphins would surely appreciate, so Rachel couldn’t help but smile.
She’d had friends in Chicago, many other therapists she’d gotten along with really well.
And Maya had been her best friend since college.
But Maya had lived thousands of miles away in Eden Bay and…
it was nice to belong. To meet people who welcomed you warmly even though they didn’t even know you yet.
The desire for social acceptance was deeply ingrained in every human being.
That was why humans preferred harmony to conflict.
Her gaze wandered to the divorce lawyer who was toasting his smiling date, and she frowned. Well, most of them did.
“Okay,” Matt mumbled, pulling the cocktail from Maddie’s hand and taking three large sips.
“What are you doing?” Rachel’s sister asked accusingly.
“I’m finishing your cocktail. Adding alcohol, caffeine, and sugar to your current state of mind seems grossly negligent.”
“Keep your hands off my sugar! I’m just happy our family is finally complete again and we’re a fantastic team tonight. Connor wins way too often. But tonight, Jesus Quiztus’ Lawyers can pack up because Bedtime Game Night is going to destroy them!”
“Bedtime Game Night?” Rachel asked, confused. “Don’t you mean board game night?”
Maddie grimaced. “No. We made the mistake of letting Matt decide on the name.”
“And it combines fun and games perfectly,” he said contentedly.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.” Maddie waved her hand dismissively. “The important thing is that we’re going to win today. We’ve always been lacking someone knowledgeable about plants, medicine, and nineties music, and Rachel is brilliant at everything!”
Rachel raised her hands defensively. “I only know about succulents.”
“You know the word succulents,” Matt murmured. “You’re obviously a linguist too.”
“Oh, Rachel was the smart, pretty, and popular one in school — do you know what a rare combination that is?” Maddie stated proudly. “Mom just called her Perfect Rachel. And my nickname until graduation was Herring because once I brought some fish home one day.”
“Don’t put any pressure on me, okay?” Rachel said, laughing, albeit a little strained.
Perfect Rachel. God. Her mother had wanted to make her feel good, but hadn’t understood that she’d called her other two daughters imperfect by comparison.
Maddie hadn’t cared, but Lucy was probably only so successful at her job because she felt she had to prove herself to everyone, even their dead mother.
“Pressure? What do you mean, pressure?” Maddie’s eyes were wide and innocent. “The date you invited today is smart, isn’t he? You like smart men, he should be smart.”
“Why don’t you ask him directly?” Hailey suggested, nodding over Rachel’s shoulder toward the entrance.
Rachel turned, and sure enough, a tall, lanky man in his mid-thirties with cute glasses and a slightly embarrassed smile had walked through the door and was looking around. She recognized him from his photo, so she rose and strolled over to him, smiling.
“Hey, I’m Rachel, the woman you’re looking for,” she said, extending her hand.
His shoulders slumped in relief, and he returned her smile. “Hi, Rachel, I’m Dwayne.” His gaze wandered over her briefly, and his cheeks turned pink. “You look even better than your photo.”
She laughed, and a comfortable, familiar calm spread through her.
This man radiated security. He seemed friendly, uncomplicated, calm. That was what his questionnaire had revealed, and sure enough, she could see it at first glance. This was exactly what she needed to get her life back on track.
“Thanks. Shall we sit?”
“Of course.” He glanced hesitantly at the table she’d gotten up from. “So we’re not alone? There are more people I need to meet?”
“Yes, like I said, it’s quiz night. You play it on teams. Is that a problem?”
“Oh, no. No, no.” He smiled again. “Let’s sit.”
“Okay.” She let him go first, her neck strangely tingling. Slowly, she turned and noticed Connor looking at her.
He had raised both eyebrows, appearing amused.
God, why the hell did he look amused?