Page 59 of Betting on the Bad Boy

Startled, I turned around to face a tall, good-looking stranger. I tried to hide my embarrassment with nonchalance. “Yes, they do. It’s amazing how they can do that.”

“Special effects. It’s all on a video loop.” He gestured toward a large projector in the corner of the room.

“Don’t I feel silly—” I began, but his grin stopped me short.

“You’re Faith, right?”

“Yes.” I tilted my head slightly. “Who are you?”

He extended his hand. “I’m Carter. Claire told me you needed a date tonight.”

I rolled my eyes, already frustrated with my mother's meddling hand in this. “I bet she did. Nice to meet you, Carter.” After shaking his hand, I turned away, scanning the room for the bar—a welcome sanctuary.

“Allow me to show you the way.” Carter placed a hand on the small of my back, guiding me across the ballroom to the bar set up on the opposite side.

Reaching the tall counter, Carter turned to me. “What’s your poison?”

“Just a glass of red wine would be great.”

He signaled the bartender. “A glass of cabernet for the lady and Crown on the rocks for me.”

As we waited for our drinks, Carter attempted to start a conversation. “So, Claire tells me you’re teaching at a school in Indiana?”

I glanced up at him. “That’s right. I’m an adjunct professor at Tempest, working on tenure. What else has she told you about me?”

A slight blush tinged his cheeks. “I’ve had the pleasure of spending quite a bit of time with your mother and Clem. I’m finishing up my JD and Masters of Philosophy over at SC. Clem has been serving as somewhat of an informal adviser to me.”

“Interesting. Did you do your undergrad there too?” I found myself intrigued despite my initial reservations. He had a killer smile and looked pretty damn good in his tailored tux.

"No. I'm a Midwestern boy at heart. I got my bachelor's at the University of Kansas."

"So how did you end up in California?" I asked.

The bartender set our drinks down in front of us, and I wrapped my fingers around the stem of my wineglass.

"It's a long story. Let's just say there was a girl." The corners of his lips curled up in a bashful smile.

"Was?" I took a sip of my wine and peered at him over the rim of my glass.

"Yes, was." He picked up his drink. "Should we go check our table assignments? Looks like people are starting to sit down."

I glanced across the room. Most of the guests were settling at tables. We made our way back to the entrance and located our name cards. I'd be willing to bet my entire collection of Brontë sisters' books that my mother had arranged for the two of us to be at the same table.

He picked up his card. "Table three, how about you?"

I lifted the tented card and feigned surprise. "Well, would you look at that? Table three for me too."

Carter gave me another dazzling grin, and I took a good long look. Out here in the light of the hallway, I could make out his features better than I'd been able to in the dim ballroom. With sandy blond hair and a natural tan, I could see how he might be mistaken for a native Californian. His longer surfer hair alone made him look like he'd be more at home on the beach than on the plains of Kansas.

He offered me his arm. "May I escort you to our table?"

I linked my arm through his, willing to play along for a bit. Spending the evening chatting with Carter would be better than sitting back at the house… alone… fantasizing about Dante.

"Absolutely. It would be my pleasure."

CHAPTER 31

Faith