Stakeout For Love

by Christie Walker Bos

“Guess not. So? How did it go?”

  “Stay in the car. This one is as engaging as sawdust.”

  Skyler giggled.

  “I’m going back in to tell him I’m leaving. You need to call the coffee shop and talk to him so he knows you’re not coming.”

  “Cath?”

  “Yes?”

  “Watching you go on my dates is so much better than doing it myself.”

  “Well, that was the idea. Now…bachelor number two is due in thirty minutes. Should I get you a coffee while I’m over here?”

  “That would be great. How about another donut or maybe a croissant? I’m really starting to get into this whole stakeout thing.”

  Skyler disconnected and then dialed the number Cath had given her. A young, enthusiastic voice answered the phone. Skyler explained that she was supposed to meet someone named Wil for coffee and that she was having car trouble. She briefly described the man. Looking through the binoculars, she could see the young woman on the phone scanning the people in the comfy chairs and on the couches.

  “I see him,” she said. “Do you want to talk to him?”

  “No, no. That’s okay. The tow truck just arrived and I have to go. Just tell him I’m sorry and we’ll have to do this another time,” she said before quickly hanging up.

  Skyler moved the binoculars over so she could watch as the Starbucks girl delivered the message. Wil’s fingers stopped tapping and he slammed his hand down on the table so hard that he made the poor girl jump.

  Bit of a temper.

  Then Cath appeared. She must have been telling Wil that she had been stood up as well, because he was shaking his head in disgust. Having been in the exact same situation, Skyler felt bad for the guy and just a little guilty that she had stood him up, even though, she reasoned, it should be Cath who felt guilty since she was the one who’d orchestrated this entire mess. She watched as he made his way to the door, stopping briefly to toss the rose into the trash, just like Meg had done in the movie.

  Minutes later, Cath was back in the car and they were both sipping their coffees.

  “I feel bad for the guy,” Skyler said, wishing they could phone the other two men and call the whole thing off.

  “I wouldn’t feel too bad. This isn’t your fault. Pete and I set this whole thing up, not you. I don’t feel bad. It’s just part of the dating thing.”

  “Maybe I should come over and meet them, no matter what. At least then they wouldn’t feel like they’d been stood up.”

  “Sure, if you want. But I still think I should pre-screen them. It’s amazing what people will say to strangers. Do you know what that guy said after I told him that I had lied on my profile?”

  Skyler shook her head.

  “He admitted he’d lied too, and not just about his age. He lied about his job, where he lives and how many times he was married! You could have dated him for months before you found all that out.”

  “See? I told you they all lie.”

  “I’m still going to screen them for you. Then if you want to make an appearance, you’ll have a little inside information,” Cath said.

  “Sounds fair.” Skyler took another sip of coffee. “And instead of your silly code phrases, which I’ve already forgotten, just walk outside like you did before. That worked.”

  “Okay,” Cath said, reluctant to give up her code words. Cath looked at her watch. “Bachelor number two is late.”

  “Maybe he’ll stand me up,” Skyler said hopefully.

  Five minutes later, bachelor number two arrived, book and rose in hand. Skyler lifted the binoculars to check him out. He looked as if he’d come directly from the beach. He was in board shorts, a t-shirt and flip-flops. His sandy blond hair stood up in a dozen different directions like he’d just gotten out of bed. He paused at the door and checked his reflection in the glass. Using his hand as a comb, he raked his fingers through his hair and, apparently satisfied with the results, pulled open the door and walked in.

  “Do you have this guy’s profile?” Skyler asked, holding out her hand to Cath without lowering the binoculars.

  Cath pulled the profile out of her bag but instead of handing it to Skyler, started reading. “He’s a surfer but he’s also an entrepreneur, which we thought was interesting. He owns a board shop and lives in the trendy part of Newport, so we figured he was doing well.”

  “Or he’s in debt up to his eyeballs in an attempt to make it look like he’s doing well,” Skyler replied dryly.

  “Pessimist.”

  “Realist.”

  “He has a dog, loves to camp—”

  “Oh that’s right…I love to camp too,” Skyler said, sarcasm dripping from her lips.

  “He’s very active and had some romantic ideas for dates. The guys loved him.”

  “Then maybe the guys should date him.”

  “We thought you should try someone outside your comfort zone. Someone who could pull you out of that hole you call an office. You might be pleasantly surprised.”

  “I doubt it. Surfers are notorious for letting the waves rule their lives. Wedding at ten- or six-foot swells? Hmmm. Which do you think this guy would choose?”

  Cath didn’t answer but grabbed her bag and opened the car door. “I’ll check him out and then call you.”

  Surfer boy was sitting at a window and caught the flash of Cath’s pink jacket. He watched her with interest as she crossed the street and walked up to the door. Skyler watched Cath as she entered and looked around expectantly.

  What a little actress.

  When she saw surfer boy with his book and rose, she did a great job of laughing, pulling her book and rose out of her bag and waving them at him, as if to say, “Oh, you too?” Skyler watched through the binoculars as Cath approached the table. The guy motioned for her to sit with him, but Cath waved him off.

  With her short stature and strawberry blonde hair, there was no mistaking Cath for the woman he was supposed to be meeting—six feet tall in stocking feet and dark auburn hair.

  So he’s an opportunist.

  Skyler zoomed in on his face. It was a nice face, deeply tanned, making his teeth seem impossibly white. He was obviously delighted with Cath, as most men were, and never once looked for his “date” to appear. At least the first guy had remembered why he was there. Skyler had felt bad about standing up bachelor number one but would have no such concerns with surfer boy, here. He was obviously enamored with Cath. Skyler doubted he would even notice that she had failed to show up.

  Ten minutes later, Cath walked outside to make her phone call. Skyler picked up on the first ring.

  They both said simultaneously, “No way.” And then burst into laughter.

  “Oh my god, Skyler. This guy is the biggest narcissistic ass I’ve ever met! It’s all about him. I barely got a word in. And he didn’t even care that I wasn’t his date.”

  “Now maybe you’ll have some sympathy for what I’ve been going through. Finding a descent man is not easy.”

  “I’m going back inside to tell him my date has been delayed and I’m leaving. You can call him if you want, but honestly, he doesn’t seem to care.”

  Cath hung up and Skyler watched as she went back inside. Through the binoculars, she watched as surfer boy placed a napkin in Cath’s hand and folded her fingers over it before leaning in to whisper something in her ear.

  Unbelievable. I bet he gave Cath his phone number.

  Somehow Skyler felt betrayed. He was supposed to be there to meet her—a tall, dark-haired, brown-eyed girl, not her friend the perky blonde.

  He deserves to be stood up, she thought, although it didn’t seem to bother him in the least when the barista relayed the news. As he left Starbucks, a smile on his face, he handed the rose to another young woman as she was walking in.

  A real player. Glad I dodged that bullet.

  Skyler was watching the surfer through the binoculars and didn’t see Cath cross the street. She jumped when the car door flew open and Cath dropped into the driver�
��s seat.

  “Can you believe it? He gave me his number and said, ‘Call me, babe’. Babe?”

  Skyler laughed. “Welcome to my nightmare. Being a workaholic doesn’t seem so bad now, does it?”

  Cath shook her head. “Let’s not give up yet. We have one more to go. This guy was my favorite and that’s why I saved him for last. His name is Scott, he’s six foot four and a firefighter paramedic. New to the L.A. area, he moved here from Denver. Because he works firefighter hours and has a second job, he’s had trouble meeting people.”

  “He admitted that?” Skyler asked, surprised.

  “No. I’m reading into his profile. He wants to meet someone who would like to explore Southern California with him.”

  “Be his tour guide?”

  “Something like that. His bio was written with a sense of humor and he’s cute. Here, look.” Cath handed Skyler his profile.

  Bright, sparkly eyes and an open smile stared back at her from the top of the page. Wavy brown hair framed his face, accentuating very kissable lips and a strong chin punctuated with a dimple in the center. He looked like a young Mel Gibson except for the color of his eyes, which were chocolate brown like Skyler’s, instead of blue.

  “Wow.”

  “I know.”

  Skyler handed the profile back to Cath. “This picture is probably ten years old.”

  “Don’t be such a skeptic. Not everyone is a liar.” Cath accepted the paper from Skyler and read the profile out loud.

  “Between working at the fire station and volunteering at a walk-in clinic, I haven’t had much time for dating. Combine work with being new to the area and not knowing a soul, except for the guys at the station, and I’ve become a bit of a recluse. But that’s not my true nature. Since being fixed up by my fellow firefighters is like playing dating roulette, I’ve decided to try this match-making site.”

  Cath looked at Skyler for a reaction but found her looking out the window, so she continued. “He sounds honest and sincere. He’s also a workaholic, but it sounds like he doesn’t want to be. He wants more, just like you, Skyler. I have a good feeling about this guy.” Cath looked at her watch. “He’s supposed to be here at noon. If this works out, it could turn into lunch.”

  Skyler turned back to Cath. “You have this all figured out, don’t you?”

  “Yep. Time to meet your date,” Cath said in a singsong voice as she opened the car door and climbed out. She stuck her head back inside. “If this one’s a dud, we’ll go lick our wounds over sushi and sake at Sushi Ahi.”

  “Finally something to look forward to.”

  Chapter Two

  Shortly before noon, a red Jeep pulled into a newly vacated parking spot across the street. The door opened and a long leg emerged, followed by the athletic body of a man who looked to be in his late thirties.

  Well, he didn’t lie about his height, Skyler thought, noticing how his head and shoulders were well above the top of the vehicle.

  Before closing the door, he poked his head back inside, giving Skyler a chance to examine his shapely derriere held firmly in place by faded blue jeans. When he emerged, he was holding the required book and red rose. Suddenly a large white head appeared in the open window. It was a Saint Bernard, with floppy brown ears, a wet black nose and a long pink tongue that was doing its best to lick his owner. Steering clear of the tongue, the man reached up and rubbed the dog vigorously on the top of his head before touching his forehead to the dog’s to say goodbye.

  Skyler picked up the binoculars and watched as he walked up to the door. He had a relaxed stride and when he reached out to open the door, Skyler zoomed in on his hands. The hand that gripped the door was strong and rugged, making the knob disappear under its grasp. A zing raced through her body as she imagined that manly hand making her own feel small.

  “You know what they say about large hands,” Skyler said out loud. “Or is that feet?” She shifted the binoculars to his feet but it was too late. He was already inside and his feet were hidden from view. As he disappeared behind a group of people, she looked at his Jeep again. Now instead of the dog’s head, she had a view of a large, thick white tail sticking out the window. She watched as it wagged back and forth, hitting the window frame on each side with every wag.

  His dog loves him.

  Moving back inside, she found him in line at the counter. She scanned the seating area but couldn’t find Cath. Once he had his coffee, he found a chair near the window, sat down and waved at his dog outside. The dog responded with a single deep bark that Skyler could hear across the street even with the windows closed.

  Where’s Cath?

  A blur of pink announced her emergence from the hallway that led to the restrooms. Since his back was to her, she didn’t bother with her act of looking around and walked right up to him. Skyler watched through the binoculars and filled in the conversation.

  “A book, a rose…you must be meeting someone too.” Skyler watched as Cath pulled out her book and rose from her leather bag.

  Scott titled his head back and laughed. Skyler imagined what his laughter sounded like…deep and full-bodied, like a rich cup of Columbian roast.

  Cath was talking again. “What movie was that from?” Skyler asked in her best imitation of Cath’s ultra-feminine voice.

  “I have no idea,” Skyler replied for Scott in a deep voice.

  Cath was pulling up a chair. “Mind if I join you?”

  Skyler observed as Scott checked his watch and then looked at the door. Skyler put words into his mouth. “Actually, I’m waiting for someone and I wouldn’t want them to get the wrong idea. Might make them feel uncomfortable to find me here talking with a beautiful woman like yourself.”

  “Oh I understand,” Skyler said. Cath moved the chair back where it had been, said something which made Scott smile and then moved to the couch against the back wall where she had an excellent view of the entire area.

  Seconds later, Skyler’s phone rang.

  “Get over here, now! He’s adorable, nice and not interested in me in the least. He must have a thing for brunettes.” Then she hung up before Skyler could say a word.

  Skyler took one more look through the binoculars. He was actually reading the book he’d brought. He looked relaxed—no drumming of the fingers, no staring at the door, no checking out all the other women, although they were certainly checking him out.

  “Back off, bitches,” Skyler laughed. “This one’s mine.”

  Using the rear view mirror, she checked to make sure there were no telltale signs of sugar flakes clinging to her face. She was wearing the bare minimum of makeup—a bit of eyeliner and lip gloss. If she’d known she was going on a date, she would have taken a little more time with her face and hair.

  Oh well.

  She climbed out of Cath’s car, a little stiffly after sitting there for so long. She brushed off sugar flakes from her black jeans and pulled down her hand-knit sweater until it reached her thighs. It wasn’t what she would have selected to go on a date, but it was comfortable and the forest green of the sweater complemented the red highlights in her hair. Checking traffic, she waited for an opening before walking across the street. She came around the back of the Jeep to find the dog’s head filling the entire passenger-side window. Making sure not to get too close, she stood in front of the beast.

  “How’s it going, big guy? Any inside tips on your owner?”

  The dog let out a single woof, causing Skyler to jump and then break into nervous laughter.

  “Okay, I’ll remember that.”

  The long pink tongue whipped out of the dog’s mouth and licked the top of his nose. His entire body shook with happy excitement.

  “I hope your daddy’s reaction to me is as positive as yours.”

  The dog woofed again and this time Skyler didn’t jump.

  By the time she walked through the double glass doors she was surprisingly calm. She didn’t bother pretending she was looking around but walked directly to Scott’s table.
He had put down his book and was watching her as she walked toward him. He pushed back his chair and stood up.

  “I see you met my dog Stanley.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Scott and you must be Skyler.”

  His hand wrapped around hers, making her feel small and protected, not an easy trick when you’re six feet tall.

  Skyler’s smile was her only response, since it wasn’t until he released her hand that she could find her voice.

  “Stanley.” Skyler looked out the window. “He’s a big boy.”

  “One hundred and ninety pounds the last time I had him weighed. He’s just a puppy though. He’ll grow to be over two hundred pounds. I found him in a shelter. Apparently someone didn’t realize how large St. Bernard puppies can get.”

  “That is one big puppy.” Skyler pulled out a chair and they both sat down facing each other. Over his shoulder, Skyler could see Cath with a huge smile on her face. Cath gave her a thumbs-up sign and Skyler scooted her chair in and over so that Scott’s broad shoulders blocked Cath from her view.

  “So…” Scott began, resting his forearms on the table between them, leaning in ever so slightly.

  “So…”

  “How does this work? This is the first time I’ve used a computer to meet someone. Like I said in my profile—which I had help writing, by the way—I’m new to the area and to computer dating.”

  “Funny you should say that. I had help writing my profile as well. Or to be perfectly honest, I didn’t even write it. My friends did.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. I didn’t set up this meeting either…”

  Skyler proceeded to tell Scott about her horrible luck with computer dating, her interfering friends, the stakeout, the half donut, the binoculars and the red rose. She ended by pointing out Cath sitting behind them.

  Scott laughed in all the right places, interjected comments without steering the conversation away from the story and maintained eye contact the entire time. When he turned around and waved at Cath, the surprised look on her face had them both laughing.

  “Busted,” Scott laughed.

  Scott then entertained Skyler with a couple short tales of disaster dates of his own, including the time one of the firefighters tried to set him up with his mother. They were both laughing so hard that people were beginning to stare.