Page 53 of Betting on the Bad Boy

Ha! I laughed. “Um, no. The last thing I read was a report on a potential new merger. Probably the furthest thing you can get from a love story.”

An elderly woman on my right with skinny curlers lined up all over her scalp piped in. “That’s the problem with men today, there’s no more romance. Wham, bam, thank you ma’am. That’s all they’re interested in.”

Space alien lady started in again. “You’re absolutely right. Why, my granddaughter just helped me get set up on that dating website for seniors. That’s all they want, those dirty old men.”

I was caught in a damn crossfire. Not feeling up to defending the entire male population, I made eye contact in the mirror with Tameka. “Almost done?”

“Y’all leave him alone. This here is a good one. By the way, Dante, you seeing anyone?”

I never should have agreed to sit down in the chair. “Nope, no one special. You know, I really need to get going.”

She picked up the clippers and flicked the button. “Just let me clean up the back here.”

Curler granny raised her eyebrows at me. “You know, my granddaughter is probably about your age...”

“I really don’t have time to see anyone right now. I work full-time, plus tend bar on the side.”

“Well, that’s too bad. She’s a real catch.” She scowled at me and turned her attention back to the magazine in her lap.

“What do you think?” Tameka whirled the chair around so I could see my reflection in the mirror. She hadn’t made a major change, just trimmed things up a bit.

I peeled the cape off my neck. “Looks great. Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it.”

“Hey, honey, come over here.” A woman across the room beckoned me over.

I took a cautious step toward her. Tiny silver pins covered her head, and she reeked of some strong chemical smell. She shoved her hand out from under her cape, thrusting a hardcover book at me.

“Take it. See if you can pick up a tip or two.”

I looked down at the cover. Two bodies pressed up against each other on a black background. Red letters blazed across the graphic—Carnal Knowledge.

I’d instinctively put my hand out, but when I caught a glimpse of the cover, I yanked it back. “Aw thanks, but I really couldn’t.”

“Young man, I want you to have it. I insist.”

I looked over at Tameka, who gave me a nudge with her eyes.

I took the book. “Fine. Thanks.”

As I shoved the book into my bag, I promised myself that I wouldn’t set foot in this place again. From now on, I’d make one of the women deliver the paperwork. Should be their job anyway.

“You have yourself a nice holiday now, Dante,” Tameka said.

“Thanks, you too.” By the time I left the building and made it to my car, I’d already forgotten about the book with the red title sitting in the bottom of my backpack. The book by the author Chastity Austen.

CHAPTER 28

Faith

The plane landed at LAX,and as we taxied to the gate, I turned on my cell phone. Three missed calls from Steph? I hit the button to call her back, and she picked up on the first ring.

“Faith, where in the world have you been? I’ve been trying to call you all morning,” Steph said.

“I’m on a plane. What’s going on?”

“Your book, girlfriend. You’ve done it!”

I squished down in my middle seat. “What are you talking about?”