SEBASTIAN leaned forward, looking at the chessboard on the card table back at Clint’s place.

“Oh, by the way, I went out on that date,” he said, deciding on moving a pawn as the game was in its early stages.

“It looks like you scored, by that stupid grin on your face,” Clint answered. “What date was that?”

“The speed dating thing I was telling you about. Rob and Nate took me. It was nothing like I expected though.”

“Yeah? So, how did it go?”

“Not that great. Kinda funny though.”

“Did you meet any hot babes? It would be just like you to get lucky, you bastard.”

“No, man. I didn’t score last night, but there was one hot woman in there.”

A wry grin rose up on his face. The vivid mental picture took shape—Alexandra in her black blazer and black slacks, pants snug across her firm ass, curls falling around her face, her smile when he had opened his front door before they left his house that night.

“I invited a guy pal of mine to tag along—Maxwell Storme’s nephew—and he pretty much stole the show. The minute Alex sits down next to me, he clams up tighter than a stone. I end up giving him pointers, and one of the woman notices. She gets the idea there must be something wrong with the kid. She goes, ‘Aww, your little brother has Asperger’s!’ Poor guy had women coming at him from all sides. Well, you had to be there, but it was a hoot.”

He quieted down when he realized he was the only one laughing. Clint gave him a confused look.

“Don’t tell me you let some other guy steal your thunder,” he said. “You got to be off your game, buddy. Actually I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that. Me and Beth have been talking—not gossiping or anything. Just talking…Anyway, I told her how dismal things have been for you in the dating scene lately.”

“Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Not you, too, man.”

“Come on, Bash. You’ve got to admit, things aren’t what they used to be. I remember when you were on my crew. We all saw you with a different chick every week. You went out more. You were enjoying life. That was just two years ago, pal. Now all you do is sulk and stay home.”

“That’s not all I do.”

“Yeah. Whatever. Since you blew out your knee, it’s been worse. Do you know why I invite you here every month? So I can check up on you now. I worry about you, man.”

“It’s not as bad as you think,” he said. “I’m not that isolated. I told you my neighbor’s been sick, and the time off with my knee has just given me the chance to help out. I’m not staying away from the dating scene. I’m doing just fine without anyone’s help. Plus, I hang out with Alex—”

“Are you listening to yourself right now?”

At this point, the chess pieces had gone untouched for at least five minutes. Sebastian looked down at the rook and pawns with irritation, wishing Clint would make his next move and stop prying into his private life. He didn’t add fuel to the fire by mentioning he had a long phone list of women available whenever he wanted them. There was also no way he would out Alexandra Storme, especially not to Clint, who would definitely make the connection to Lexxi Rock. As far as Sebastian’s romantic life was concerned, Clint would just have to think whatever he wanted.

Then again, Sebastian wasn’t just fine. He wasn’t fine at all. Alexandra Storme was still in her disguise, and she thought he was gay because he was so attracted to her, or ‘Alex’. It was too complicated, and too big a risk for Lexxi Rock, to let Clint in on.

“Just leave well enough alone, Clint. What is it with everyone around me trying to play matchmaker?”

Clint eyed him suspiciously. “It’s that ex of yours, isn’t it? Aileen? Wait a minute, are you still seeing her?”

“Of course not.” His frustration was mounting.

This level of meddling by his present and former firefighter crew was a double-edge sword. On the one hand, as the men at the firehouse lived in close quarters for so much of their time at work, they were close-knit. On the other hand, because they were so tight, interfering and intruding came with the territory. Today, their closeness wasn’t helping at all.

Clint raised his hands to convince Sebastian he was backing off.

Sebastian knew better.

“Now, I won’t judge you if you are. All I would say is you can’t have much of a future in dating a married woman.”

“I’m not seeing her, Clint.”

He continued like Sebastian never said a word. “Beth seems to think I’m wrong about you being off your game. She thinks you have someone tucked away somewhere. She’s convinced you’re getting serious with whoever it is. At least that’s what she’s telling me. If it’s that ex of yours, I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into.”

Sebastian got to his feet, ready to leave. “No offense, Clint, but I didn’t come over here for this.”

“All right, all right. Just sit down,” he said, appearing to concede. “You should be used to this by now, Bash.”

Sebastian glowered at him, but sat back down. He couldn’t walk out on Clint. He ran a hand through his hair, thinking maybe it would help to tell someone about it—some of it.

“Alright, suppose I do have someone I’m interested in, and by the way, it’s not Aileen. It’s someone else. But suppose this person has some stuff going on in her personal life right now? I know better than to let myself get too involved.”

Clint’s eyes widened. “Well now we’re getting’ somewhere. Tell me. Who is it? Do I know her?” He paused, waiting for Sebastian to answer. Sebastian didn’t say a word. “Alright, alright, you’re not going to tell me. That’s fine. Does she know you’re interested?”

“Yes and no.”

“Christ, man. You haven’t told her?”

“It’s not that simple, bud.”

“Only if you make it complicated to begin with. When I met Beth, she was a nurse at that rehab hospital where they sent me after the accident. I had a huge chip on my shoulder. And she had to put up with my shit. She didn’t let my crabby ass get in the way of that. She made it clear that she cared about me.”

“There’s no point in having this talk, man. There’s so much I can’t say.”

“Jesus, is she a secret agent or something?”

“She might as well be.”

“She must be so sexy. God, that’s hot.”

“More like tragic,” he admitted. “Anyway, I’m just telling you so you and Beth can stop worrying about me. I need you and everyone else to stop trying to fix me up. I’m not cutting myself off. I’m not suffering or missing Aileen. I’m just stuck between a rock and a hard place. I have to wait and see what happens with her.”

“Whoever this mystery woman is, she’s bound to come around at some point. She could do way worse than you.”

“Or better,” Sebastian added. “So, is your curiosity satisfied yet? Because I’m ready to drop this subject now.”

“Not really. What does she look like? And what kind of personal problems does she have? I’ve got a shit-load more questions, but I doubt if you’ll answer any of them.”

Sebastian ignored him.

“Hey, Beth,” he called out when he saw her standing at the entrance to the living room.

Clint’s girlfriend peeked in. “Good to see you, Bash. How have you been?” she asked in her soft, pleasant voice.

“Guess what, Beth?” Clint said before Sebastian could answer. “Bash has got a secret agent girlfriend. How’s that for interesting?”

Clint wheeled away from the table and moved close to her. Beth ran loving fingers over the crown of his head, and raised a brow at Sebastian. She turned her gaze down to Clint and said, “Don’t put him on the spot, honey.”

“Listen to your girlfriend, Clint,” Sebastian agreed.

Beth crossed her arms. “What’s your new girlfriend like, Sebastian?”

“Wait a minute. Whatever happened to don’t put me on the spot?”

Beth went from ally to backup interrogator. Sebastian shook his head. He wasn’t getting out of this without giving his closest friend’s partner something to chew on.

“She’s great. I enjoy spending time with her.”

“Well that’s good,” she answered. “So why do you sound so grim?”

The woman read him like a book. It was her gift. She had gotten to know him too well.

“Let’s just say I have to be someone I’m not with her, because she’s not being herself with me.”

“Well, that’s not a good way to start a relationship.” Beth sat on the edge of the sofa. “As long as two people are being true to themselves and each other, you have a chance. When you introduce dishonesty so early on, there’s no way to build trust. You have to be yourself, Bash.”

Sebastian shook his head, and made a snap decision. “It’s easier if I show you. How about the two of you come to my place and meet…her?”

He instantly regretted giving the invitation. He tapped the tabletop nervously. The chess pieces wobbled and shook with the drumming of his fingertips. Beth and Clint stared at him.

“What do you have up your sleeve, Bash?” Beth asked.

If they were to meet ‘Alex’, the cat would be out of the bag.

“Nothing.”

“Good. Well, I’m game,” said Clint. “When do we get to meet her?”

Sebastian held back a groan.

That was a big mistake.