For Seven Nights Only - Sarah Ballance Page 0,10

setting is because I once confided in her how perfect it would be. Being dumped for being boring is humiliating enough. Not being able to get a date—and having him witness that—is pretty much the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.”

“Some tough life you’ve had there,” he said dryly.

“I’m exaggerating,” she said, “but not when I say I’ve actually considered hiring an escort. As a matter of fact, I should do that. Then we can forget this whole thing.”

He almost dropped his coffee. If she thought going alone would be more humiliating than hiring a stranger to play the part, she was crazy. “I thought you said you wanted a long-term relationship. How long do you plan to keep an escort on payroll?”

She came to a halt. “You don’t want me to like you, do you?”

“All I’m saying is the only way you’re going to find a long-term relationship is by finding someone who doesn’t demand payment to keep you company. And for that matter, it sounds like you need to work on you before you try to partner up for a lifetime commitment.”

“What the heck is that supposed to mean?”

“It means you need to be your own person first.” He hesitated over his unfortunate choice of words. She clearly had that own person thing down. In fact, she could stand to follow the crowd a little, but if he told her that, she’d probably sic her rat on him. “So what if you go alone? Do you really want to be clinging to some other guy—a paid stranger, at that—when you see your ex? Or do you want to be badass, screw you, standing tall on your own?”

“He said I was boring.”

“You show up by yourself looking ten kinds of hot, and I guarantee you’ll be the most interesting person there.” She wouldn’t wear that scarf with a bridesmaid dress…would she? Not that the scarf itself was so bad. It was the injustice of leaving her shapeless. He’d never realized how sexy and feminine a neck was until she’d hidden hers.

She sighed. “You don’t understand. But how could you? This goes beyond superficial.”

“Actually, your problem is exactly superficial.” So much for not going there, even if he wasn’t talking about her wardrobe.

His comment earned another death glare.

“You’re worried about how it all looks, sweetheart. Doesn’t get more superficial than that.” Before she killed him, for good measure he added, “Remember what I said about tension.” They’d reached the expanse of green lawn that fronted the memorial. The early morning sun bathed her in the prettiest light. If only she’d chill the fuck out, she’d be able to snag a guy on her own, no problem. A little bit of relaxation on her part would go a long way. “Anyone catch your eye?”

“You make it sound like I’m at the pound picking up a stray.”

“Not until someone starts humping your leg.”

“Someone?” She glared and pushed back the glasses that had inched down her nose. “Don’t you mean a dog?”

“Dogs are people, too,” he said. “But no, I pretty much meant some douche of a guy.”

“Have I thanked you yet?” she muttered. She knelt to unleash the rodent, who ran a quick, yippy circle before lifting his leg on Sawyer.

“Oh, hell no.” He sidestepped before damage could happen, while Kelsie laughed.

The sound took his breath away. He stared.

She stopped laughing. “What?”

“That,” he said, “is how you attract a man. Do you have any idea how much less scary you are when you’re not spazzing out?”

She turned red. “I want a guy who’s interested in more than…my physical appearance.”

“Unless you’re going to walk around showing off your brain, I’m afraid you’re going to have to oblige us otherwise. At least at first. The good news is if you relax a little and give us all a chance, there’s not a man alive who wouldn’t want to look below your surface.”

“Except you.”

The question caused an unexpected pang, but he shook it off. “Make no mistake, sweetheart.” He tugged at the hem of her sweater. “I’m more than willing to peel back a layer or two.”

“See? Pig.” She spun, but he caught her arm. She glared, and he wondered if she was even more uptight than he’d originally thought. He kept that possibility close, because by the look of her, forgetting it might cost him a kneecap. Or a nut.

He settled for defusing her. “That thing you just did where you looked at me through your lashes? Guys like that. Gives ’em hope.”

“I