The Rebound Girl (Getting Physical) Read Online Free

even more, just to see how far her range went.
    “Yes, it was.” She linked arms with him. “But I’m under the distinct impression you don’t get out much.”
    * * *
    The diner Matt had in mind was located about a block from the bar—in Pleasant Park, everything in the main section of the downtown borough area could be found within walking distance. As they approached the building, which was little more than a converted train car, he realized he’d underestimated the local nightlife. Two o’clock in the morning normally found him in his plaid flannel pajama pants and deep in the reaches of sleep.
    Apparently, he was the only one.
    It wasn’t that he was completely unhip or clueless—he had a surprisingly large working knowledge of Justin Bieber and vampires that sparkled. But Whitney was right. He didn’t get out much. If he was going to move past sitting alone in his apartment above a cheese shop, eating cereal out of the box and smelling of Jarlsberg, he was going to have to learn.
    “So,” she said once they were seated in a corner booth that squeaked every time one of them shifted. “Your brother is orange.”
    Matt choked on his glass of water. “It’s not that bad.”
    She shook her head, her hair bouncing around her shoulders. “He was glowing underneath the disco ball of the dance floor. I think that’s why Kendra liked him. She couldn’t help herself—she was a moth, drawn to a beacon of light.”
    “To be fair, the color isn’t totally his fault—the tan was a gift for his birthday.” Matt gave in to the profound urge to chuckle. He honestly couldn’t remember the last time he’d laughed so much in one evening. “It was from our sister, Hilly. No one thwarts Hilly. She and her husband own Paradise Tan and Espresso over on Fourth.”
    Whitney wrinkled her nose. “Spray tans and coffee at the same place?”
    “A warm glow inside and out.”
    “Please tell me that is not their actual slogan.”
    “My sister wrote it herself—and if you think you could cow her into being ashamed of fake tans, you’re wrong. She’s impervious to insult. She’s impervious to everything.”
    Whitney nodded as though that made perfect sense. “I can see how that might run in the family.”
    He grinned. She was making fun of him again. Even though he might not know a thing about the current dating pool or why so many men thought being a jerk to women was the key to it all, he did spend an inordinate amount of time with six-year-olds. Girls always teased the boys they liked.
    “Strange color notwithstanding, he’s a good guy, you know,” Matt said. “He won’t hurt your friend.”
    “I know he won’t. That’s why I let him take her home.”
    A waitress, tired and harassed-looking, came by to take their order. They’d just decided to split the lumberjack special, which boasted no fewer than ten plate-sized pancakes, when a wadded up napkin went sailing through the air and bounced off the back of the waitress’s head. She didn’t turn—just picked up the offending item and shoved it in the deep pocket of her apron.
    “Teenagers,” she said, shrugging. “They want more coffee. I’ve been slipping them decaf for the past hour.”
    “Why are you looking at me like that?” Whitney asked the moment the waitress turned away.
    Matt hadn’t been aware that he was looking at her with anything other than frank admiration, but he took the bait anyway. “I’m half afraid you’re going to go over there and yell at those kids for being mean to the waitress.”
    “Would that be so awful?”
    “No,” he said truthfully. “But I get the feeling you say exactly what’s on your mind no matter what.”
    “And I get the feeling you’re trying to soften me up.” She leaned over the table. “Don’t bother. You’ve already promised me salty pork products and refused the ID interrogation. It’s all downhill from here.”
    Matt could hardly believe his good luck.
    It was officially eight months since