Just Enough Light by AJ Quinn Read Free Book Online

agreed to call me Dana.” She looked at the table. “Eight ball? If I remember correctly, once I break, I’ll be assigned either stripes or solids, assuming I sink something.”
    “That’s right,” Cody responded with a small grin and rattled off the rest of the rules.
    “Sounds about right.” Dana took a moment to steady herself, then bent over the table and took her first shot. She sank three balls on the break. Moving around the table, she leaned over, narrowed her eyes to determine the best angle, and neatly sank the next ball.
    She picked up her beer, took a quick sip, and went back to work. Assessing her next move, and the one after that, she proceeded to run the table, knocking in a succession of solid balls with ease.
    “Nice run,” Kellen murmured.
    “Thanks.” Dana chalked her cue one more time and called her final shot, striking the eight ball and sending it cleanly into the corner pocket. “I believe that’s fifteen dollars each of you owes me.”
    While the others cheered, Kellen started to laugh and wrapped one arm around Cody’s shoulder. “Cody, I think we’ve just been hustled.”

    *

    Shortly after the pool game ended, the unexpected evening also came to an end. Kellen settled the bill with the hostess, gathered the girls and their coats, waved and headed out into the cold.
    Dana and Annie followed more slowly, shivering as they climbed into Annie’s SUV. Stars were beginning to show through the wisps of cloud overhead and they both sat looking up as they waited for the vehicle to warm up, lost in their own thoughts.
    “You’re going to be so good for her,” Annie said, breaking the comfortable silence.
    “Oh Lord, Annie.” Dana didn’t bother pretending she didn’t know what Annie meant. “Don’t tell me you’re going for the less-than-subtle matchmaking, too? And you can stop grinning while you’re at it.”
    “I’m sorry,” she responded, but she didn’t sound sorry at all. “I need you to know, it wasn’t ever my intention to set anything up this evening or to make you feel uncomfortable in any way. But I have to admit, I thought what the girls were doing was cute.”
    “Cute?”
    “They love Kellen and just want what’s best for her, as do I. And you did tell me you hit on her before you had any idea who she was, so you had to be interested.”
    “I did. She’s smoking hot.” She met Annie’s eyes calmly so she would know she spoke the truth. “I was. And no one made me feel uncomfortable.”
    “Good. I’m glad. And I did tell you how pleased I was that Kellen showed some interest in return, didn’t I?”
    “Yes, you did,” Dana said with something like a sigh. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped, knowing Annie wouldn’t understand the doubts that came from years of dancing to someone else’s tune.
    “Don’t think about it too much. Tonight was a good start. For everyone. We’re all going to be working closely and it generally works best if we can get along. That’s all that matters for now.” Annie’s brow creased. “I do have one question for you, though.”
    “Yes?”
    “After spending some time with Kellen and the girls, and hopefully recognizing that they come as a package deal, are you still interested?”
    There was no question. It was a hell of a package. Caring, compassionate, intelligent, and sexy with a heart-stopping face. Dana looked down at her hands for a moment. “The simple answer is yes, but I’ll be honest and tell you I don’t know what that means.”
    “It means whatever you want it to mean.”
    Dana considered her words. “Annie, Kellen and I really don’t know each other. An initial interest on both sides doesn’t mean we’ll fit well, if at all. And while I wouldn’t mind taking a chance, finding out more, everything seems to be happening too fast.”
    “New job, new place, new interest?”
    “Yes. I find myself in unfamiliar territory and I think I’m afraid I’ll make the wrong decision. Make the