Nothing But Trouble by Trish Jensen

mouth hanging open. He hoped he wasn’t making a huge mistake. Laura might never forgive him if one of her best friends or a valued customer died in the next hour.
    He handed them the money, and the two stood, arguing about where to go for supper. They continued to argue even as Ned put a hand on her back and led her toward the front door.
    After watching them leave, Brandon turned back. Laura was still standing there, wide-eyed. She final y found her voice.
    “What have you done?”
    “Umm, tried to make peace?”
    “More than likely you’ve just started a war.”
    “There’s something between those two.”
    “Yes, indeedy. Complete animosity.”
    Stuffing his wal et back into his jeans, Brandon commented, “And, apparently, greed.”
    Laura laughed, and it took his breath away. It was such a lovely sound, husky and lilting at once. And it transformed her face. She was truly a beautiful woman.
    Ali came rushing into the main room from the back, ducked under the counter and came hustling over to them, her face flushed. “Oh, no, where’d Hannah go?”
    “She went to supper,” Laura said, laughter giving away to a worried frown. “What’s wrong, Ali?”
    “I was washing my hands, and I had the strongest premonition about her. I just know it’s right.”
    “What’s that?” Laura and Brandon said at once.
    “Tonight’s the night she fal s in love with the man she’s going to marry.”
    Again, they spoke simultaneously, both staring at Ali.
    “Uh-oh.”
     

Six
    “LET’S NOT PANIC,” Laura said quietly, once Ali raced off to serve more drinks. “After all, Ali’s never right.”
    “She was right about you meeting me,” Brandon pointed out. Laura crossed her arms beligerently. “Are you trying to say you’re my prince?”
    “I’d love to be.”
    “Well, you can’t.”
    “Why not?”
    “Don’t look now, but you’re not from around these parts.”
    “I am for the next couple of weeks. Don’t you think we owe it to ourselves to explore what’s between us?”
    “There isn’t—” She cut herself short. “Well, okay, there is, but I think it’s just”—she waved vaguely—“you know, chemistry.”
    “There’s a lot to be said for chemistry.”
    “Right,” she retorted, leaning toward him until he could pick up the scent of her perfume. “For instance, it could blow up in our faces.”
    “Wel , I would definitely hope it’s explosive, but not in the least painful.”
    She glanced around the room to make sure, he decided, no one could hear her. “I’m considering it.”
    Those three words had a power over his body that was almost embarrassing. Good thing he was sitting down. “You are?” “Wel, maybe. But I have to tel you, I’m not real happy about having to do al the taking.”
    “Real y? Why?”
    She surveyed the room again. “Because,” she said in a whisper, “I haven’t done the taking before. And I think it’s real rude of you to make me. You should know I want to give, and then you be a gentleman and act on it, that’s why.”
    “I want to hear you tel me.”
    “Well, that’s just plain dumb.”
    “No, that’s just plain erotic as hell.”
    She grabbed his shirt and yanked him forward, glaring at him. “Fine. I want you to touch me, al right? So do it already next time, and don’t play games about it.” She began to march away, but then turned back and pointed a finger at his nose.
    “And I owe you another kiss, so start figuring out when I have to pay it off.”
    With that she stalked away, anger in every step.
    Wel now, that was the sexiest come-on he’d ever been subjected to. The woman was completely irritated because she wanted him.
    This was going to be fun.
    “She goes on vacation after tomorrow night,” Ali whispered in his ear.
    Brandon turned to dig for more information, but Ali was already gone. He waited a good ten minutes before he could get Laura’s attention again. He called her over. “Sunday.”
    “Sunday, what?”
    “I want