“Who’s the friend?” he asked, moving into the kitchen and studying what she’d left out for him. There was his usual bottle of Scotch, along with a bottle of bourbon. Beside that were a bowl of sugar cubes, sliced oranges and Angostura bitters. Next to that were several highball glasses, an ice bucket and a bottle of club soda.

He added a sugar cube to the highball glass, then sprinkled it with the bitters. After adding a splash of soda, he muddled the mixture until it coated the bottom of the glass. He added ice and bourbon before gently mixing the drink and garnishing it with an orange slice. When that was done, he poured himself a Scotch and joined her on the sofa.

They clinked glasses.

“How are you feeling?” he asked.

She waved away the question. “I’m in perfect health, my love. At least as much as one can be at my age.” She laughed. “Now I want to talk to you about doing me a favor.”

“Of course.”

“I need you to seduce one of my friends.”

Thaddeus was pleased that he managed to stay seated and not react in any way beyond taking a very healthy slug of his drink.

“No.”

Dagmar pursed her lips. “But you haven’t heard me out.”

He reached for one of the chilled shrimp on a plate. “I would throw myself in front of a bullet for you or give you a kidney, but there is nothing you can say or do to convince me to have sex with one of your octogenarian friends.”

“What if she’s in amazing shape?”

Something he didn’t want to think about. “No.”

His great-aunt’s smile turned sly. “What if she’s not eighty?”

“I’m not sure her being in her sixties makes a difference. Why are you setting me up?”

“Technically I’m setting her up. Not that you don’t need a woman in your life. You do. The divorce was ages ago and while I’m sure the mindless sex you engage in is exciting in the moment, it has to leave you feeling empty afterward. Or am I assuming an emotional depth you don’t have?”

Better to have her think he was shallow than to tell her the truth, he thought humorously. There was no way he wanted Dagmar to know he was actively seeking a relationship. She was nothing if not determined and if she started looking for his future wife, then God help him.

“Why are you setting up your friend?”

She looked at him over her glass. “Don’t for a moment think that I didn’t notice your slick change of subject. But fine. We’ll talk about Unity.” She smiled. “She’s thirty-four and very sweet. She’s a handyman.” Dagmar held up a hand. “An unusual occupation, but I thought you’d find that intriguing. She’s tall and very athletic.”

“Please don’t tell me she has a great sense of humor.”

“As a matter of fact, she does, but she’s also very pretty. But you worrying about that isn’t fair. Not everyone can be beautiful.”