Page 11 of Tempting the President

"Unbelievable," Elissa exclaims.

"I know, right?" Thank goodness for best-friends-slash-roommates who completely understand where you're coming from.

"Did you see what they've chosen forBook of the Month?"

Elissa points to the wall-mounted touchscreen display next to the counter, and it's the one thing we love the most about this cafe. Every drink we order equals to points, which we then use to borrow books from their digital library.

"It's about this college professor who's unexpectedly visited by her student's guardian—"

I let out a gasp. "Did he end up killing her?" I don't mean to be judgmental, but I can totally see Patrizio Steele as being entirely capable of murder.

"No, it's better."

Um, okay.

Since this is Elissa the criminal-lawyer-wannabe-slash-law-school-professor we're talking about—

"He turned her into another killer?"

"He has sex with her!"

He what?

Elissa beams at me. "Don't you think it's amazing how your life is just like a work of fic—"

"Lis!"

I should've known my best friend would end up being my worst enemy.

"You're reading this the wrong way—"

"Am I?"

I hate it when Elissa's using her lawyer voice like this.

"The man brought you his sister’s research papers about sexual submission fantasies and basically accused you of being his sister’s case study. Isn't that, like, classic enemies-turned-lovers foreplay?”

And it's usually because she only does when she's making a really good point, which she does.

"I'm just...professionally offended!"

"And unprofessionally attracted."

"I'm not!"

"Let's break it down really simply, shall we?"

Elissa then leans forward, and my stomach sinks when I see the look on her pretty-and-pretty-serious face, whichonlyshows up when she's about to make an evenbetterpoint.

"Gorgeous older brother confronts you about his sister’s academic work, discovers your secret romance novel addiction, and starts calling youdarling."

Lesson learned: what happens at work should really just stay at work...since there's no point counting on your best friend to take your side.

"Now, look me in the eye and tell me you arenotattracted to him in any way.”

"I..."

Elissa raises a brow. "Go on."