Bad Boy Best Friend - Hope Ford Page 0,3

sexy, she’s the kind of woman to give grown men wet dreams.

She has on tight fitted jeans and a pink shirt, and her long red hair is in curls over her shoulders. I don’t even try to stay in my seat. I set my drink down on the table and stand up, waving at her. My heartbeat stutters when her green eyes settle on me and she smiles with that pure joy that only Laney can seem to emit. She’s headed my way, but I’m too excited to see her and I walk partway to meet her.

Reaching for her, I notice she’s not wearing her engagement ring. My protective instincts surface and I pull her in for a tighter hug than I’d originally intended.

Immediately I can feel that our easygoing hugs of the past are just that, something of the past, because a hug from Laney has never felt like this before. The way Laney fits against me and the physical charge that sizzles through my veins at the contact lets me know that something has shifted. Somehow, things are different between us.

“Austin, who’s your friend?” my friend Shawn asks, not hiding his eye strolling over her voluptuous figure. “You’ve got to introduce us.”

I still have an arm around Laney, and I laugh at him, putting myself between Laney and him. “No I don’t.” Then turning to Laney, I say, “Don’t worry, I’ll protect you from the wolves.”

Laney’s eyes light up with surprise and I can tell she thinks the whole situation is funny. She’s never thought of herself as beautiful and never noticed when guys were attracted to her. It may have something to do with the fact that I ran off most of the guys we grew up with. None of them were ever good enough for her.

I wait for Shawn to get mad, but instead he looks surprised. That’s too bad. Laney’s going through something serious, or so it seems since she’s not wearing her ring. I’m not about to let her endure random guys like Shawn panting over her. What kind of friend would I be if I did?

We reach the table and as we sit down, I notice Shawn is still eyeing Laney. Narrowing my gaze, I give him a look that tells him to back the fuck off or get something broken off.

Shawn turns away with a look of betrayal on his face, and I know I’m being aggressive when I’m usually not that kind of guy. I can’t help it though. Seeing Shawn look at Laney like he is has my heart pumping hard in my chest wanting to knock him out.

Laney

Austin looks really good, but then, he always has. With a tight hug I fill my lungs with his sexy scent and I’m still a bit lightheaded from indulging myself so much.

Austin is happy to see me, the smile on his face tells me so, and I’m grateful for that since I’m intruding on his date. I’m lucky to have a best friend that cares so much about me. After he runs off his friend, I sit down in the chair next to him as he waves the waitress over. Even doing so, his eyes are still on me.

“And who are you?” a sexy blond woman with a tiny figure asks, looking at me as she slides into Austin’s lap.

I realize this must be his date and I put my hand out and introduce myself to her. “Hi. I’m Laney.”

The blonde doesn’t offer up her name or put her hand out. Instead, she gives me a look that could most definitely melt ice. “I always thought that Laney was a man from the way Austin talked about you.”

My eyes widen and I press my lips together as I look at Austin over Blair’s shoulder.

You’re in so much trouble, Austin.

Austin says, “This is Blair,” to me in explanation.

Blair adds, “His girlfriend.”

I laugh because this isn’t the first time nor will it be the last, I’m sure, that I’m being introduced to a jealous female that Austin is dating. I recover quickly and lie to Blair, “I’ve heard all about you and how pretty you are.” And then I look at Austin with a smirk. “Austin, you didn’t do her justice. She is simply breathtaking.”

By the way he rolls his eyes, I can tell that he isn’t amused. But he should totally be thanking me because I’m saving him worlds of trouble.

Blair preens when I compliment her, but goes right back to scrutinizing me