Say You Need Me by Kayla Perrin Page B

air as Serena and Darrell walked to the entrance of the restaurant. As they got closer to the door, happy sounds of laughter and chatter mixed with the music. Considering all the action for a Saturday afternoon, this place was clearly a hot spot.
    Serena whipped her head around when she heard acollective shriek of laughter. Four women walked behind her and Darrell. Four gorgeous women. All were wearing sexy outfits that flaunted their perfect bodies: short dresses, form-fitting skirts, and tops that showed off their midriffs. Serena instantly felt out of place. Compared to these women, she looked like…like a librarian. She frowned. Why hadn’t she put on something nicer, like one of her summer dresses, before heading out?
    Because she hadn’t been planning on going out for lunch or doing anything social when she’d left her apartment. Her only plan had been to go to the police station and see Cecil, for which she certainly didn’t need to be dressed up.
    The group of women continued to giggle as they hurried past Darrell and Serena. Self-conscious, she ran a hand down her oversized T-shirt, then said, “I’m not dressed for this.”
    “You look fine,” Darrell replied succinctly.
    Fine ? Any other day, she’d be happy with fine. Why not today? “I wish I’d known we’d be going out.”
    “It’s only a bite to eat, not a date.”
    “Yes, of course,” Serena said, then quickened her pace, walking ahead of him up the ramp. But she couldn’t walk fast enough to escape his stinging words.
    But why should they sting? Darrell was right; this wasn’t a date. They were simply getting a bite to eat before continuing their search for his brother.
    Yet it would be nice to believe that Darrell found her attractive enough to take on a date. Cecil had led her to believe he’d felt that way about her, but he’d turned out to be the biggest liar she’d ever met. And with Cecil’s betrayal came the bitter realization that she’d foolishly letherself give in to the dream that a hunky guy like him could actually be interested in a plain girl like her.
    The top of the ramp connected to a walkway that led to the restaurant door. Besides the restaurant, there were other businesses along the path. But Monty’s was by far the biggest establishment.
    The row of payphones reminded Serena that she should call Kiana. Last night, she’d promised to call the moment she had some news. Her sister would no doubt wonder what was going on.
    When Serena looked over her shoulder, she saw Darrell right behind her. His full lips curled in a small smile, one that said he hadn’t noticed her sudden change in mood. What was wrong with her, anyway? Women in Miami routinely showed a lot of skin and dressed provocatively. She’d never felt inadequate before.
    “Give me a second,” Serena said. “I want to call my sister.”
    “Sure.”
    She walked the few steps to the payphones, surreptitiously glancing at Darrell as she did. She watched him stroll casually toward the restaurant’s front doors. Two women sauntering along the path boldly ogled him up and down, then wiggled their fingers at him.
    Serena felt an unexpected spurt of jealousy. The two women were dressed in short-shorts and bikini tops, barely covering the essentials, while she was dressed as if she was ready to clean someone’s house.
    Phoning her sister took a back seat to watching what would happen next. She expected the women to stop and flirt with Darrell, but if they’d wanted to, his actions discouraged them. He merely gave them a polite nod, then turned—and the two women continued on.
    Again, Serena was mesmerized by his strong back muscles, his beautifully sculpted arms. Yes, the man was F-I-N-E fine.
    Darrell stopped his turn when his eyes met hers. Serena felt a little jolt in her heart. Quickly, she lifted the receiver and held it to her ear, hoping he didn’t realize she’d been checking him out. She fished in her purse for change and dropped it in the