Today, as always, she spiked his male radar, and his blood raced a little faster as he instinctively glanced up from his computer, at which he'd been tapping away in his corner of the Suds Club. His pulse beat in his ears, making him feel like he was being tossed around in one of the dryers.

From the first time Liam had seen her, over a year ago, when he'd initially moved into the neighborhood, his fantasy machine had been set to play reel after reel of Jenny 24/7—during the night, during the day… Nope, he never failed to fall asleep picturing how her short, smartly styled blond hair curled to a nape he'd love to nuzzle. How her blue eyes sparkled with the wit and dry humor that attracted so many friends…and probably admirers. How her plump red lips shaped into something sweet and cherrylike, as if ready to be tasted. How her pale skin covered a figure blessed with ample womanly curves.

Normally those curves were decorated with chic clothing when Jenny appeared in the Club. In fact, she liked to dress as fashionably as a 1950s movie goddess who lounged in a swank living room while she posed for photos in a feature article about domestic bliss.

But today, there was a difference in Jenny.

In his corner, Liam leaned his chair back against a dryer on the wall, quietly assessing her.

As she made her way to the seats in front of the television, her expression seemed dazed. Her arms were folded on her chest, and her usually perfect hair was pulled back into a tiny ponytail, as if she hadn't taken any care with it. She also wasn't wearing makeup—she didn't really need it, Liam thought—and the lack of her