Cracking the Dating Code by Kelly Hunter Read Free Book Online Page B

which had been hers only it hadn’t exactly gone her way. ‘Do I know this person already?’
    ‘Assume no. What do you do next?’
    ‘I make eye contact,’ she said, making very good eye contact with the black.
    ‘And?’ he prompted.
    ‘Smile like I mean it.’
    ‘And?’
    ‘Isn’t that enough?’
    ‘Don’t you want to check out who he’s with?’ he asked.
    ‘Wouldn’t I have done that first?’ Sebastian leaned in to take the shot, his shaggy hair glossy black beneath the table light. ‘Made sure he wasn’t part of a couple?’
    ‘Depends,’ he said. ‘You might not care.’
    ‘I care,’ she murmured. ‘I’m looking fora wedding ring. If he has one, I’ll move on. If he has a boyfriend, or a girlfriend, grandparents or children with him, I’ll move on.’ Poppy paused, and shot Seb a very level stare. ‘He has a wife, three kids, and a mother-in-law who’s not impressed. I’m turning away. Scanning the room for someone else I’d like to get to know.’
    ‘Good.’
    ‘There isn’t anyone.’
    ‘Now is not the time to be picky,’ said Sebastian. ‘You’re there to flirt, not marry the guy. Keep looking.’
    ‘All right, I’ve found one.’
    ‘What’s he look like?’
    ‘Interesting. He favours black, he’s drinking Limoncello and I like the spider-web tattoo on his skull. I feel I could use it as a talking point.’
    ‘Move on,’ said Sebastian, sparing her a quelling glance before sinking another solid-coloured ball.
    Poppy blew her fringe from her eyes the better to admire his technique. ‘The barman’s kind of cute. Nice eyes. Brown. Smiley. Besides, I need a drink. This is nerve-racking.’
    Holding her own in conversation with Seb was indeed nerve-racking, but there was a certain freedom that came with imaginaryflirting. Action without consequence. A safe learning environment. Poppy smiled.
    ‘Ouch,’ murmured Seb. ‘Killer smile. There’s something almost joyous about it. Innocent even. The barman’s heading your way at a dead run.’
    ‘Really?’
    ‘Never doubt it.’
    ‘What do I do now?’ she asked.
    ‘Tell him you’re in the mood for a single malt whisky, hold the ice. Ask him what he recommends.’
    ‘Is that your preferred poison? Whisky?’
    ‘Usually.’ Those green eyes of his were assessing. ‘Am I detecting a note of censure? Are you after knowing if I have a drinking problem?’
    ‘Do you?’ she asked quietly.
    ‘No. The way you found me the other morning was an exception, not the rule. Not that you have any real reason to take my word on that. You’re just going to have to wait and see.’
    Poppy shrugged. ‘For what it’s worth, I believe you.’
    ‘Trusting,’ he murmured. ‘I’m starting to fear for your safety.’
    ‘Don’t be afraid,’ she said. ‘I’m asking for something with gin in it. The barman’ssuggesting either a gin fizz or a pink lady. I really don’t like either. I think it’s a sign. We may not be compatible.’
    ‘It’s not a sign. It’s a compliment. Tell him you’re not that sweet, give him another taste of that lethal smile and try not to lose eye contact. And don’t blush. You have a tendency to colour up when you’re thinking naughty thoughts and the minute you do you lose any advantage you might have gained.’
    ‘Maybe I
want
to lose the advantage,’ she offered mildly. ‘Maybe keeping the upper hand isn’t as important as making a connection. Maybe I’m inclined to look kindly on a man who can make me blush.’
    ‘You’re leaving yourself wide open,’ he muttered grimly. ‘I don’t like it.’
    ‘Well, fortunately, I’m not flirting with you,’ she countered coolly. ‘The barman’s offering to make me a Tom Collins. I’ve told him that’s perfect. He’s asking me if I’m new in town.’
    Poppy studied the table, lined up the shot and sank it in one smooth movement. She could feel Sebastian’s gaze upon her but she didn’t look up. ‘I have his attention and you’re right. I