Page 13 of Forecasting the Forward

“It’s true. I asked him to come because Danica said she had a friend who would be perfect for him. I never knew your name,” Levi says hastily.

“That’s not — well, that isn’t exactly what I said,” Danica says, irritation evident in her tone. I already don’t like this twit. She’s fucking with my friend, for one. Plus, her hair is so bleached it’s white as snow. I don’t trust anyone who does that to their hair by choice. Then you add in the crazy eyes, and Danica is a hard pass.

I’m trying to come up with a valid excuse for why I need to leave. Something that won’t make Levi pissed, but also a believable lie. Could I — could I get Becca out of this too? She crosses her arms under her breasts, pushing them up ever so slightly, and my tongue almost falls out of my mouth. I can’t tear my eyes away from her chest. I can already tell they’d be a perfect teardrop in my palm. Much to my surprise, stiff peaks erupt beneath the royal blue dress she’s wearing, and my eyes pop up to hers. Becca’s eyes are dilated. She might hate me, but she still wants to fuck me.

I can work with that.

Now I’m not leaving. It’s time to figure out a way to get Becca to give me a chance. A second chance. Jesus, it might be a third chance by now.

As I move to pull out a chair for her, disaster strikes. A fire erupts at the edge of the kitchen, and a big ball of flames pushes up into the seating area. I fucking hate these open conceptsthat new restaurants have adopted lately, with the kitchen being much more visible to guests. The fire kicks off the automatic sprinkler system inside, and everyone panics.

Instinctively, I grab Becca. I don’t miss how Danica attempts to get to me, and I’m even more pissed at her than I was before. Not only for what I view as an unforgivable offense of fucking with one of my best friends, but also for pulling Becca into the lie.

I quickly slide my suit jacket off and put it over Becca’s head, then wrap my arm around her upper back. I’d love to have a hand on her waist. Better yet, her ass. But I think she’d jam a stiletto heel into my shoe, and my feet are pretty important for my career. Unfortunately, the thought of her heels makes me envision fucking her in just those beautiful black stilettos, and now I’m hard as a rock.

When was the last time I got laid?

Jesus. It’s been a few months. No wonder I’m salivating over this woman.

Maybe that’s what it is. Maybe I just need to get laid. Then I won’t think about this bombshell all the time.

Once outside in the warm air, Becca carefully removes my jacket from her head. “Um. Thanks.”

I nod slightly. “You’re welcome.”

“That was actually pretty decent of you. I guess you aren’t a complete miscreant,” she says wryly.

I let out a chuckle. “I’ll take it. What’s the next step up from miscreant?”

“Asshat.”

“Ah. How many steps until I get to being just a nice guy?”

“You have a long way to go,” she says with a breathy laugh.

“Becca!” I hear wailed from behind us, only to find Levi carrying Danica. Mascara drips down her face, and her whitehair sticks up in every direction. “I slipped, and I think I broke my ankle!”

“Oh no!” Becca cries.

“I’m going to take her to the hospital,” Levi says, resolution evident in his tone. He looks at me and rolls his eyes. I’m taking that as a sign that he’s not too torn up about Danica’s obvious interest in me.

“Do you guys want to come?” Danica asks hopefully, her eyes solely on me.

“No,” I retort. I’m shutting this bitch down.

Danica noticeably pales. “I don’t know what I’ve done to offend you, but —”

“I think you know exactly what you’ve done, which is try to use my friend to get to me. Me and you? Never gonna happen. Levi, text me later. You wanted my opinion, and I definitely have one.”

“Pretty sure I know what you’re going to say, but sure. I’ll text you. Our Uber is here,” Levi says as he walks past us.

Turning, I look at Becca. “You want a slice of pizza? My favorite joint is around the corner, and I’m starving.”

She begins to shake her head, but pauses. “Actually, pizza sounds really good. I don’t remember the last time I had a slice of pizza. I’d like to talk about what just happened in there, though.”

I point in the direction we’re going, and we set off. “She didn’t look at Levi once after you both got here. He’s an amazing guy, and she wasn’t going to give him a chance. I’ve seen it happen with more than one friend, where they’re trying to get around someone to get to who they really want. So tell me why don’t you eat pizza?”

“I watch what I eat. I get a lot of nasty emails and messages about my body. I didn’t notice her looking at you. How did you see that? You were watching me.”

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