Blind Date Disasters & Eat Your Heart Out by Jill Shalvis Page A

Still, early mornings were ingrained.
    His dad looked good, and the fear of losing him, the fear that hadn’t once eased in the entire year since his stroke, had faded somewhat.
    According to the man himself, he planned on living the next few decades doing nothing but enjoying life. And maybe driving his only son crazy.
    That sounded good to Tanner, who wasn’t ready to lose the only family he had left.
    He could have done without the overt probing into his sex life. His father had wanted to hear that he had a girlfriend who could possibly turn into a wife.
    It didn’t take a genius to realize his father wanted grandchildren.
    Tanner thought maybe he wanted kids, too. Someday. But in order to get kids, he needed a wife.
    That’s where he ran into trouble.
    Truth was, he liked his women hot and bothered, fast and edgy, and he liked them that way because he could enjoy them and move on. No worries about one of them getting too involved, no stressing that she was busy writing their wedding vows or planning what color flowers they’d have in their garden.
    He didn’t have time for that, and it wasn’t just his father’s illness that tripped him up on that score. It was his business, which required more than just the hours he put in during the day re building. There was the paperwork, the billing, the planning, the bidding. It went on and on, and he just didn’t see a woman working happily into the equation.
    He’d tried, several times in fact, but whenever he was so stupid to date a woman long enough for it to be considered a relationship, the same thing happened.
    He got dumped because he didn’t spend enough time with her.
    Sorry, Dad, you’ll have to wait a little longer.
    He let himself into Cami’s town house in timeto hear her say, “Not that I’ll ever admit it to him, but Tanner was right.”
    He liked the sound of that.
    â€œI should have just said no .”
    Grinning, Tanner pocketed the key she’d given him and entered the kitchen, wanting to hear details.
    But the place was empty, except for Annabel, who pounced on his shoe.
    â€œMeeoowww,” she cried pitifully.
    He glanced at her empty bowl. “I know damn well you inhale your food, so go try some other sucker.”
    She rubbed against his leg, purring, watching him from beneath lowered brow, purring some more. Then suddenly she bit his ankle.
    â€œOuch!”
    â€œMew.”
    â€œYeah, yeah.” Tanner was far more interested in hearing Cami say he was right again.
    â€œI really hate it when I’m wrong,” he heard her grumble.
    Walking through the kitchen toward her voice, he stopped short in the hallway, staring at the small table by the front door.
    Her answering machine was talking.
    â€œFine,” she said. “So no one but Annabel islistening to me. Great. Figures. Story of my life.
    I hope you’re getting a kick out of this, cat.”
    Why was Cami, a woman who’d rather cut off her own limb than get out of bed before ten in the morning, calling herself at… He glanced at his watch. It wasn’t even six yet.
    â€œFor summer, it’s pretty darn cold out here in this ridiculous summer dress.”
    And why was she still in her summer dress?
    She hadn’t actually used that condom with the nerd, had she?
    â€œOf course, what do I expect for being in the Sierra wilderness all night long. You know, I thought this was all my fault, but really, upon reflection, it’s not. It’s my parents. Dad’s had what?
    Six wives? No, wait, I’m forgetting the unforgettable Brandy.”
    Tanner lifted a brow. Brandy?
    â€œShe made seven. Seven stepmothers, some of whom were younger and had bigger boobs than me. It’s no wonder I only date guys once.” Her sigh filled the room. “And then there’s Mom, the mistress of control. Really, when I think about it, it’s a miracle I’m normal at all.” A short