Page 27

“Hey, Rexy,” I blurted.Rexy?I immediately sent him a telepathic apology.

“Um, yes, Abbi,” he replied, giving me a funny look as he entered the house carrying Blair’s crap.

“Why don’t you show our guests to the guest room,” I suggested, putting on my best version of a helpful girlfriend. “Dinner should be here soon.”

Before I could stop myself, I leaned over, put a hand on his shoulder, and pecked a kiss against his cheek.

“Sure.” Rex seemed to hesitate for a moment, his eyes clinging to mine, but then he ushered them down the hallway along with all their luggage.

With Blair out of sight, I felt better already. Moments later, the doorbell rang again. Finally, something good coming through the door. The pizza guy handed over the large order.The smell of marinara and melted cheese instantly lifted my spirits.

I set everything out on my dining room table along with real plates, forks, and actual paper napkins instead of just folded paper towels. Martha Stewart, eat your heart out.

“Rexy?” Rex asked, slightly startling me from behind.

When I turned around, my eyes drew up his broad chest. He was taller when he was so close, and that made Rexy a little sexy.

I shook the thought away. “You try being a fake girlfriend on such short notice. She was batting her eyelashes at you, and I panicked.”

Rex’s smile turned darkly delighted. “You got jealous.”

“I did not.”

“You got so jealous, your panties are probably still twisted up.”

“You seem to be taking quite an interest in my panties, Mr. Montgomery.”

He stepped up to me, and my heart went pitter-patter. “Are they lacy today?”

A door opened down the hall. We were about to have company.

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” I hissed.

Rex moved closer, his hand touching the side of my hip. “Maybe I would,” he rumbled.

Oh, dear.

Had he meant…?

“All right! Pizza!” Donny’s enthusiastic energy entered the room before he did. Were they recording this too?

I stole a glance at Rex, watching the way his facetransformed to pleasant, approachable, Boy Scout Rex as our guests entered the room. There was no hint of the man who teased me about my panties or stalked toward me like I was the only thing in the world he wanted.

“Is this from Antonello’s?” Donny asked.

“It sure is,” I said with false brightness, my chin high. I figured if I was hosting out-of-town guests, I should spring for the best pizza in New Elwood. I swept my hand toward the table, hostessing with the mostessing. “Help yourselves.”

Rex was still standing right next to me, his arm brushing mine. My breathing didn’t seem to be working right. The glitter in his eyes told me his mind was still on our interrupted conversation.

Wereallycouldn’t go there. Gabe finding out about my arrest would make him think I was completely useless as an adult. Him finding out that I’d hooked up with his best friend? Unforgivable.

Blair approached the dining table, staring down at the delectable Italian pies like I’d gotten them out of the dumpster. “Oh, pizza.”

“Is there a problem?” I asked, feeling my left eye begin to twitch.

“I’m not eating carbs ahead of the wedding.Some of usshould watch our figures,” she said, eyes flicking to my waistline.

Red-hot anger flamed in my chest. Unfortunately, I was an emotional eater. Fortunately, there were three large pizzas less than two feet from me. I grabbed a slice of pepperoni, smiled at the classic Antonello-style cheese pull, then looked at Blair while I took a bite. I swallowed and said, “I have half a rotisserie chicken in the fridge if you prefer.”