The Hero Sandwich by Karyn Gerrard, Gayl Taylor Page A

talk her into clubbing, but it was always difficult for Nicci to say no to her. All Connie had to do was mention how Nicci’s presence would keep her from doing anything too outrageous. Worked every time. Even in high school, Nicci would go along with Connie’s adventures—toilet papering the baseball team’s houses in the middle of the night, cutting school to sneak off to a baseball game in the middle of the week. Nicci smiled as she absently tossed a stray lock of hair behind her shoulder. To be honest, she loved the adventures she and Connie experienced and would not have traded them for anything. Well, maybe for one thing…
    She promised Connie she would try to be receptive if a man approached her tonight. Grateful for the loud music echoing off the walls, she took her gin and tonic, swirled it around, and drank. Liquid courage . She was determined not to be a wet blanket on Connie’s evening. At least she could use the pounding music as an excuse not to engage in conversation with the men around her. It was easy to smile, point to her ears, and shake them off apologetically.
    Nicci slid to the other side of the booth, stood, and adjusted the spaghetti strap on her bare shoulder. She picked up her drink along with Connie’s, and watched through the haze of multi-colored lights as couples moved to the music bumping and grinding against each other no doubt with hooking up as the end game. The urban mating ritual. She scanned the general area of where Connie disappeared hoping she would return soon. The club felt stifling hot and as Nicci raised her icy glass and slid it up her neck until it rested against her cheek, her gaze locked with the most compelling blue eyes she’d ever seen.
    Her breath hitched, and her legs turned to gelatin. Molten heat rushed through her and settled in her belly. A hunger the likes of which she hadn’t experienced, let alone allowed, in ages. The man was drop-dead gorgeous, athletic looking, exactly the kind she would have noticed if she’d d been looking for one. His gaze swept over her casually, one corner of his mouth lifted slightly, and her nipples peaked through the thin silk of her camisole top. Could he see? Did he know his heated gaze aroused her? He leaned back and lifted his arm until it rested along the back of the booth where he sat. It might’ve been an invitation to join him, not that she was any good at reading men. Nicci doubted she could have taken two steps with her unsteady legs or if she’d even consider doing so. Or would she? At this moment, Nicci honestly didn’t know.
    All the while, his gaze never left hers. Nicci couldn’t look away, wasn’t even sure she wanted to, and then shame and guilt consumed her. The last time Nicci made her deepest desires for a man apparent, she ended up burying him. He died because of her selfish, physical demands and the memories were still hard to live with. If she hadn’t been holding both her drink and Connie’s, she would’ve buried her face in her hands. Nicci nearly collapsed into the booth as she sat down. A waiter blocked her line of sight as he set another drink on the table, granting Nicci a reprieve from the man’s searing gaze. The waiter left and the man’s attention focused on the beer in front of him. Maybe she’d had too much to drink or mistook the intent behind his gaze. Either way, she felt strangely empty.
    Connie finally emerged from the ladies room and glanced in his direction before making her way back to their table. From the expression on her face, a look Nicci knew all too well, Connie had noticed him too and planned to do more than admire from afar. Nicci looked away. Good. Connie deserved another chance at happiness. If she found it tonight—with him—that was what Nicci wanted.
    Connie plunked herself back in her seat, reached for the Long Island Iced Tea, and took a long gulp. Her eyes never left the young stud sucking on his boilermakers. He seemed focused and intent in his desire to get