Once a dog, always a dog.

I glare over at Reid as he and a curvy woman make small talk and practically start a mini makeout session in the parking lot. He even gives her his phone to put in her number.

Dirty, sexy manwhore.

I only came outside to get some fresh air as I wait for Barclay to arrive, but maybe it’s a better idea for Reid and me to have this brief walk down memory lane out here with fewer witnesses. It will also allow me to avoid him like the plague for the rest of my time at today’s gig.

“Evening, Robin,” Reid greets me with his broad, panty-dropping smile.

I see right through the bright white teeth, good looks, perfectly fit body, and charismatic charm. This time, I won’t get sucked in by his broad shoulders, bulging biceps, or his imposing size that so many women must find ridiculously hard to resist. I’m not perfect myself, but this is one man I need to keep far away from, no matter what.

“Reid.”

The woman he was speaking with steps up to us and give me a grimace.

“Have a good meeting, Reid,” she says to him. “Call me later?”

Reid keeps his gaze fixed on me and ignores her. Whatever. “Where to you want to have this talk?” he asks me.

“Right here is fine.”

“Are you sure you don’t want to sit in one of our cars? It’ll be more private.”

I don’t need any privacy with Reid, so I shake my head. “A couple of minutes is more than enough. Right here is fine.”

He looks out toward the parked cars. “Which of those is yours?”

“The light blue truck,” I tell him. “Not that it’s your concern.”

“Okay. I knew it looked familiar,” he says. “Isn’t that the Chevy Silverado your older brother, Josh, use to drive all those years ago?”

“Also none of your business, but for the sake of wrapping up the small talk, yes it is.”

I bite the inside of one cheek, pressing my back against the wall beside the entrance as I mentally walk through my prepared update. I thought about what I’d say all night last night, and the truth is, I wish that I didn’t clue Reid in on Danielle. It would have been even better if I didn’t acknowledge or speak to him at all, let alone sing that song.

I have enough of my own ex-boyfriend problems. Which is why I’ve been working my butt off. It’s not fun slaving away as secretary of my boss, Mr. Rochford, during the day while taking as many evening gigs as I can handle. Mr. Rochford is an uptight general attorney with a small one-man-show law practice. He’s demanding, knows exactly what he likes and how, and has no problem pointing out the errors of my ways every chance he gets.

But I need that job, and these performing gigs. By this time next year, Barclay and I will have enough saved up to move to Nashville and finally find the connections to make a go of hitting it big in the country and western world. It’s been our plan since grade school. The only thing keeping us from embarking on the dream now is Barclay’s education. He’ll graduate with a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts next April, and we’ll be on our way to making music and performing full time.

I’ll also be free of my ex-boyfriend, Dave, who can’t seem to accept the words ‘it’s over’ even now, close to a year after I ended it. Changing the locks on the apartment we shared only made him more convinced that we’re meant to be together, as he says. A firm talking to from my parents didn’t help. Neither did the temporary restraining orders I got the courts to issue. He stayed away for the duration of the orders, and as soon as they expired, he started showing up again.

I smile weakly at a thought. Dave and Reid should have a chat. They’re on opposite extremes of the romantic relationship spectrum. One can’t run away from women fast enough. The other can’t bring himself to stay the hell away. Maybe they’ll rub off on each other and find a happy medium.

Or maybe not.

With their luck, they’ll end up pickup up each other’s worst habits.

“What’s so funny?” Reid asks, his voice pulling me out of my thoughts. “Or did you ask me here for…other reasons?”

I don’t hide rolling my eyes. “Dream on.”

Reid moves in until he’s less than two feet away from me. “Fine. Let’s talk about Danielle.”

“Okay. First, let me say that I’m sorry about that song last night. I was out of line. It was not my place to…judge you or call you out like that.”

“No need to apologize. I kind of liked the song,” he says. “The crowd sure loved it.”

It’s not the reaction I wanted from him, but at least I got my apology out without making the situation worse. “Thanks.”

“Isn’t that what good country music is all about? Pain, sadness and regret?”

He sure caused enough of it, but I won’t touch that comment with a ten-foot pole now that I’m so close to having him out of my hair for good.

“Uh, sure. Anyway, what you need to know is that she was in a bad place for a long time after you left. She doesn’t need to be reminded of you or the tough time she had. I want you to stay away from her. I think that’s it.”

He can’t seem to mask his confusion. His eyes narrow, his brows knit together, and his head tilts to one side. “Really? That’s it? You asked me to meet you here, so you can tell me that Danielle was in a bad place?”

“Look, I thought about it, all right? It’s best if you leave well enough alone.”

“The fact that you sang that song suggests to me there’s something more. Just tell me what it is. You have my word that I won’t try to track her down or reach out to your family.”

“She was depressed,” I blurt out, although truth be told, it’s only the tip of the iceberg. My gut tells me that if I give him this sliver of what happened to Danielle, it will be enough. It has to be. “Clinical depression. That was her diagnosis, which translated to frequent therapy sessions, prescription anti-depressants, and many other consequences. She ended up having to quit college, got fired from countless jobs around town, and she couldn’t live on her own. She still can’t. Meanwhile, there you are, off wherever you disappeared to in the Middle East, serving in the military, being celebrated and decorated with medals for protecting our country, when you couldn’t even grow a pair to tell my sister you were leaving. And now, look at you, doing well for yourself while she can’t hold her own. Why else would I be upset?”

Reid nods. He’s been staring pensively at a spot above my shoulder, avoiding eye contact for the latter part of this heart-wrenching update. “I’m sorry she had a hard time,” Reid says. “You’re right. I was a jerk back then.”

“Add immature, inconsiderate, selfish, and arrogant to the list, among other things,” I tell him.

“Okay, those too.”

“Damn right you were.”

“Is there anything else you want me to know? Or something you want me to do for Danielle?”

“No!” I blurt out way too quickly. “I mean, it’s too late for that. Water under the bridge, and all that. Just don’t be surprised if one or two of us use a picture of your arrogant face for target practice. Oh and by the way, be sure to steer clear of Josh. My brother has been saving up an extra-special can of whoopass just for you.”

“I get it. You’re all hoping I don’t cross paths with Danielle.”

“That’s right. The best, kindest thing you can do for her now is to leave her alone. She doesn’t need to go through another downward spiral.”

“I understand. And what about you, Robin?”

“What about me?”

“Am I going to have to face your musical wrath every time you perform here? I’m asking because my friends and I spend a lot of time at this bar.”

“Got it. No. You won’t ever hear me perform that song again.” I shake my head. “I’ll make a point of leaving it off the program from now on.”

He leans forward, bringing his face close to mine. “Do you want me to leave you alone too? I have to ask, because yesterday I got the feeling there was more to your reaction to me than plain old hatred.”

“What are you talking about?”

“There’s no shame in admitting you’re into me, Robin.”

“That’s just plain wrong,” I stammer out, irked that I myself don’t even believe the words I’m saying. “You’re out of your mind.”

“Am I?”

Reid takes my hand and places my palm against his black designer button-down shirt. He’s crowding me, invading my personal space. I should be putting some distance between us, but I’m mysteriously fixed in place. The force of his hand keeps mine plastered to his firm chest as it gives off waves of heat that radiate to my core and soak my panties.

I’m almost glad he’s holding my hand in one spot, because I’m tempted to inch my fingers down to his abs, which I have no doubt must be just as tight and rippling with rock hard muscles. Dazed and off-balance, I push against his chest, hoping at least one of us is not stuck in a forbidden moment. Reid doesn’t move an inch. Well, he moves, but in the wrong direction. He’s closing in on me.

His light hazel eyes darken as he gazes down at me. My eyes roam his face, taking in each feature while a tiny voice buried deep in the recesses of my mind fails at getting my full attention as it tells me this is all levels of wrong. I’m too distracted by Reid’s square jaw line, his short dark hair framing his face, full lips that are just inches from mine, and those eyes that hypnotize me.

“Just tell me to leave you alone, Robin, and I will.”

That gravelly voice vibrates through the air and permeates every square inch of my skin—and other places. The saddest thing about what’s happening to me is the knowledge that Reid is completely aware of what he’s doing to me.

“Please…yes. Leave me and my family alone,” I finally breathe out. My cheeks and neck are hot and must be flushed red by now. I just hope there’s enough forcefulness in my tone to make him believe that I mean it.

Reid narrows his eyes. “All right,” he says, but doesn’t move off, and he still has his hand clasped over mine with my palm flattened over his heart.

I thank the stars as a smug smile curls up the sides of his lips, snapping me out of it. I can’t move back, but I find enough clarity to take a step to my left.

“Bye,” I tell him, biting down on my bottom lip as I turn toward the front entrance and hurry to get away.

“Robin,” he rumbles out as I pull the front door open.

I can barely bring myself to look his way, and it seems that fate doesn’t want us to let this conversation last a second longer. His phone rings. Reaching into the pocket of his slacks, he takes the call. I don’t stick around for long, but notice the concern that flashes over his face from whatever he learns on the other end of the line. His long, hurried stride as he returns to his SUV is telling enough.

It’s probably something important.

Giving him a final glance over my shoulder, I head inside to take care of my own priorities.