Page 89 of The Fake Date (Brides of Beaufort 4)

Tommy laughed, causing my head to snap up again. “I knew he was just trying to keep the secret.”

“What?”

“I ran into Mr. Fake Date. He tried to tell me you were his date, not his client. Don’t worry, I didn’t believe him.”

Seething, I held my breath for her reply.

“Right. Well, Beau aside, I think we spent enough time getting to know each other before, so I don’t think we need to try again.”

Done. Now Tommy could move along with a clear answer from the lady, no harm, no foul.

But then his lewd laughter hit my ears again, and rage coursed through me. Still, I waited. Maybe she’d punch him herself. She was an unorthodox heroine, right?

“Lyndi, come on. We went on a couple dates. That’s hardly enough time.”

“I said no, Tommy. I’m sorry.”

“Lyndi,” he tried again.

Eh, wrong. Enough is enough.

Looked like I was the perfect book boyfriend after all, because there was no way I’d continue to stand by and let this guy repeatedly not takenofor an answer.

I stepped out and turned the corner, then slipped directly between this slimy jerk and my girl. “Tommy, kick rocks.”

“Excuse me?” he asked, having the audacity to look confused.

“I said, get out of here.Nomeansno.”

“But you guys aren’t even—”

Whatever he’d been about to say died on his lips under the hard glare I poured over him, and he slinked away like the snake he was.

Then I rolled all of the anger right off my back as I turned to face Lyndi, sliding into a calmness of knowing that fit the real me like a glove.

Now or never.