Page 66 of The Rookie

“I don’t know if I’d say that. I thought she was rather sweet.” My jaw drops and he continues with, “She knew who I was and smiled at me.”

“Then you date her.”

He shoves his hands into his pockets, and rolls one shoulder. “No, I think I’ll leave that to you.”

I cover my crotch. “I’m kind of fond of these guys, Declan, and wouldn’t mind them intact when I leave here after Christmas.”

He laughs. “Then I guess you have your work cut out for you.”

“My work cut out for me? No, my friend, getting her to the table isn’t going to take work, it’s going to take a Christmas miracle.”

“Are you saying you can’t do it? That the infamous Sweet Talker can’t sweet talk his way into any woman’s life?” He turns and heads down the street, stopping outside a coffee shop.

I make a move to go when my foot knocks something loose in the snow. I glanced down and spot something shiny lodged between the bank and a lamppost. I snatch the object up, and the second I realize what I’m holding, a wide smile crosses my face.

“Not saying that at all,” I shoot back.

He pulls open the coffee shop door, pausing to look back at me. “Then it’s on?”

I grin, as I shove my ticket to winning this challenge into my pocket. “It’s already done.”

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