Aidan walked over to pick up the black bowling ball he’d chosen. He supported it with his left hand as he walked to the end of the lane.

“Biology,” he offered. “Men and women are meant to procreate. They’re just doing their bit to pass on their DNA.”

“There’s the human condition reduced to its most basic form,” she teased. “Your science teacher would be proud.”

He laughed, then took several steps as he swung his right arm. The ball came forward and raced down the lane before smacking into the pins. All of them fell.

“Congratulations, Aidan,” a woman called.

“Looking good,” another said.

They were both sitting with Charlie. The little white dog seemed perfectly at home at the bowling alley. Shelby was sure having him there was a violation of several city ordinances, but so far no one had complained. In fact nearly every woman in the place had stopped by to pet the little dog.

Shelby told herself it was great that Charlie was getting so much attention. He was a handsome, friendly little guy so it made sense that people found him appealing. On another day, she would probably tease Aidan that his dog was a chick magnet. Only right now she didn’t find the situation very funny.

Maybe she was tired. There was no other reason for her to mind the way the women came over and chatted with Aidan while they petted Charlie. It was nice that people liked him and his dog. Even without the dog, he was handsome with his broad shoulders and easy smile.

He looked especially good today, she thought absently. The way his jeans fit him. He had a really good butt and bowling only emphasized that. Even his silly rented bowling shoes didn’t take anything away from his appeal. She’d noticed she wasn’t the only one paying attention when it was his turn.

She watched the electronic display adjust the score for Aidan’s latest strike. Their team was in the lead, but somehow even that didn’t make her feel better. She felt funny. No, restless maybe. Something was wrong—she simply couldn’t say what.

She walked over to the padded bench, where Charlie was holding court. He wagged his tail when she approached. When she sat down, he settled next to her, resting his head on her lap and staring into her eyes.

“Hey, sweetie,” she murmured, stroking him. “Having fun?”

“I hope he is, because I’m not.” The speaker was a striking redhead named Amanda. “Rob and I lasted all of two weeks before breaking up. He wasn’t as nice as I thought.”

“Oh, I like him fine,” a pretty blonde said with a smile.

“Wait until he gets you into bed,” the redhead warned. “Once he’s notched his headboard, he’s done.”

Allison, the blonde, looked slightly startled at the information. She glanced at a team of guys. “Really?”

Shelby sighed. “You know the purpose of this group was to get to know each other without getting romantically involved.”

“Why on earth would we want to do that?” Allison asked. “I have plenty of girlfriends. I’m looking for a man. Aren’t you?”

“Not right now,” Shelby told her. “I’m taking a break.”

Which was kind of true. To be honest, she was getting tired of trying to explain her relationship with Aidan. While their situation shouldn’t have been complicated, a lot of people had trouble understanding it.

Allison perked up. “You mean he’s single?”

Aidan walked over and sat next to Shelby. He looked at Allison. “Am I the he in question?”

Shelby wanted to push the blonde away, which made no sense. Instead she said with fake cheerfulness, “You are. Women continue to flock to you.”