Page 38 of The Triple Threat

With a sigh and a smack at my arm, Bronte flopped back into her seat. “You spoil all my fun. First off I’m not allowed to think about Jefferson and now I’m not allowed to talk about how you and Hunter have hot panties for each other.”

“Sheesh, will you give it a rest.”

I hoped that she couldn’t see how pink my cheeks were, because her talking about me and Hunter and Hunter’s eyes being on me, was getting me hot under the collar. I licked along my lips, remembering where his had been the night before, and cleared my throat.

“Did Carter apologize?” Bronte asked, taking the menu from me and stuffing it back into its little wooden holder.

“No, why would he? When has he ever apologized for anything he’s ever done or said to me?”

“Ugh that boy irritates me beyond belief.”

Bronte craned her neck to look over my shoulder toward my brother and when I saw her give the universal sign of dick head, I knew he was looking over.

“Stop it.” I giggled. “Just let them be a pair of idiots together.”

“Ugh boys are so stupid, and you wonder why I want in Jefferson’s pants.”

My stomach churned as she reminded me that Hunter and I were supposed to be working together on a plan.

“Made your mind up, girls?” Delphine asked as she placed a coke and a glass of milk on the table.

“I’ll have a chicken salad sandwich and a piece of Garth’s chocolate brownie cake, please Delphine,” I replied and smiled up at her.

“Tuna on rye please, Delphine, but same cake.” Bronte sighed. “God, I love that cake.”

Delphine laughed. “I’m pretty sure that Garth’s chocolate brownie cake is the only reason most folks come in here.” She turned to walk away and then suddenly turned back. “Oh Ellie, I meant to tell you, my nephew Dylan is coming into town next week. I thought you could use him in the calendar if you’re short of men.”

I shifted in my seat, remembering the last time I’d seen Dylan about four years previous. He had a bag of donuts in one hand and a single donut in the other which he’d devoured with two bites.

I was short of Mr. March, but without being mean, I wasn’t sure Dylan was the kind of guy the ladies of Dayton Valley would want to welcome Spring with.

“I don’t know, Delphine, I think I might have the right number.”

I didn’t need to mention I’d fired Hunter only minutes before.

“Oh no you don’t,” Bronte butted in. “Cooper Wyatt dropped out, his fiancée told him it was her or the calendar, so the ball-less idiot chose her.”

Bronte frowned, crinkling up her tiny button nose. Sometimes she was so damn cute, yet I also wanted to strangle her.

“Oh wow, that’s amazing,” Delphine gushed as she reached into her apron pocket. “Have I shown you a picture of him lately? He’s lost 72 pounds.”

My ears pricked up a little, but only because I wanted to fist pump his endeavors for losing weight. I’d been a chubby kid up until I was around twelve and it wasn’t nice to be made fun of. That was why I’d gone total freak out on Belinda’s car when she’d called me fat ass.

“Here you go,” Delphine said, passing her phone to Bronte. “How cute is he?”

Bronte let out a long, low whistle. “Wow, Delphine. He looks fine.”

Delphine beamed with pride and taking the phone from Bronte, passed it to me. I expected to give it a cursory glance, but when I looked down at the blond, bronzed god looking up at me, my vajayjay did a little gallop. I didn’t usually like longer hair on a man, but jeez Dylan certainly wore his well.

“Woah,” I exclaimed. “He’s hot, Delphine.”

“I know, right.” She raised a brow and grinned. “And single.”

“Oh my God,” Bronte screamed. “Delphine, you have to introduce him to Ellie. You have to.”

“We are so in tune,” Delphine said and high-fived Bronte. “Which is why I think he’d be perfect for the calendar. You get a cute guy and I get to introduce you both. Win, win, Ellie.”

“Oh no,” I said with a shake of my head. “I’m not sure I…”