Page 20 of Falling for You

Obviously, my plan worked. My plansalwayswork. Usually. That one was risky because I’m pretty sure if Liv hadn’t gone to The Escape, Owen would have ended up killing him but that’s neither here nor there. They’re married, expecting their first baby, and happy.

All because of me and my meddling.

I fully expect their first born to be named after me.

“But I’m a trained professional. Butting into other people’s business isn’t child’s play, you know. I’ve had years to build up to this level of awesome.”

She rolls her eyes and laughs, tossing a towel at my head which I catch with cat like reflexes. I spin it over my head to show off a bit. “Could you be any more full of yourself?”

“Probably. Why? You don’t think I’m confident enough?”

A laugh bubbles out of her. “Oh my gosh, no. There’s enough confidence in your pinky for the entire world.”

I toss a grin over my shoulder and wink. “It’s easy to be confident when…” I make a show of presenting myself to her.

“Whatever. You’ve got nothing on Ethan.”

I bark a laugh. “Right.”

“Have youseenhis dimple?” Then she pulls out my classic cheesy move and drops her pretend mic. I know she does it just to annoy me, too.

“And that’sallhe’s got going for him,” I say, rolling up my shirt sleeves to show off the tips of my tattoos, adjust my glasses and scrub a hand over my scruff then offer her my most panty-dropping smile.

She scoffs, entirely immune to my charm. Which, considering she’s married to my best friend, is a good thing. “How you get women to fall into your bed weekend after weekend is beyond me.”

And that’s all it takes to damn near wipe the smile off my face. I turn my head away quickly, trying to avoid the inevitable… her seeing my discomfort. But it’s not quick enough.

She gasps and points to me. “Ho-ly shit. Someone turned you down.”

“No.” Not a lie. I never asked Chloe out. Though, I’m certain Iwouldhave been turned down had I tried for anything, between the sheets or not. But, that wasn’t a consideration. Chloe doesn’t need some guy trying to get a hookup. And that’s all I can give. That’s all Iwantto give.

She smirks. “You’re a liar.”

“I am not.” I try my best not to make eye contact.

“Oh yes you are.”

I see Ethan walk in from the back and use it to my advantage. “Oh would you look at that? Your husband’s here for his surprise visit already and looks like he needs a kiss.”

“This isn’t over,” she says in a stern voice, glaring at me and pointing a finger at my chest.

And because I can’t help myself, I wiggle my fingers in the air and taunt, “Ooh. I’m really scared.”

She punches me in the shoulder before she stomps away and Ethan raises his eyebrows, smirking at her as she brushes past him.

I pretend to be wounded, clutching my shoulder and stumbling backwards a few steps. Even though it did actually hurt. She’s tougher than she looks. “Damn, Ethan. Your wife’s abusing me.”

“I’ll take that to HR.”

That’s the same threat he always gives me. Considering he’s the owner and has no HR department, he thinks he’s hilarious.

I flip him the finger and he scoffs. “You know she’s not wrong.”

“Yes, she is. There’s nothing I’m hiding from you two nosey assholes. I wasn’t turned downed by anyone.”

“Okay.”

“I didn’t. And how did you even hear that, anyway?”

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