About to retort, I’m distracted when Mystery Woman reaches into the bag on her lap and pulls out what appears to be a mess of string. She fiddles with it for a moment, finally dislodging a metal implement. Her fingers manipulate the item until I realize she’s making something. Like she’s knitting.

In a bar.

A biker bar.

I … can’t.

I cannot see any reality where I end this night without speaking to a woman who brings crafts to one of the most dangerous places in town.

“I don’t give up easily,” I murmur, maneuvering around Courtney.

Unfortunately, on my way to meet Mystery Woman, the redhead named Missy acts as a roadblock, stepping into my path. I consider dodging around her too. But I’ve never been the type to blow people off. She deserves respect, even if I don’t want to date her.

Every woman is interesting in her own way, but none have ever knitted while they flirted. Maybe that’s why my hookups have dwindled over the past years.

“Hi, Warner, right? Courtney told me about you.” Missy blinks at me, hopeful.

“Don’t listen to anything she said. She’s a notorious liar.”

I smile so the girl knows I’m joking. And girl is the right word to describe her. This close, I’m able to see every detail of her sweet, round face, and I’d put money down that she’s only been able to legally get into a bar for a handful of months.

I might even guess younger, but everyone in this town knows it’s a colossally bad idea to try a fake ID at The Rabbit Hole.

“Oh, I don’t think so. I can already see she was telling the truth about some things.”

Her gaze trails up and down my body, and I try not to sigh in frustration.

Mystery Woman sips her drink. Her glass is almost empty.

When she finishes, will she leave? When she leaves, will she disappear?

“Jim!” I reach out to grab the arm of the newest member of the club.

He’s a nice guy. Nervous but nice. His eyes immediately land on Missy’s low neckline, but then quickly jump up to her face.

“Jim, this is Missy. Missy, this is Jim. Did you know that Jim got into a fight with a bear?”

I’m not even lying. It’s a badass story.

Her perfectly shaped eyebrows curve up. “Really?”

Jim reaches back to scratch his neck, self-conscious, but he grins at the girl. “Yeah …”

“I’ll let you tell it.” I give him an encouraging push, relieving myself of any guilt about abandoning the guerrilla-warfare dating setup.

The Rabbit Hole has never seemed so crowded before. It’s like every member in the club wants to call out my name or stand in my path.