Page 52 of Thunder with a Chance of Lovestruck

Rachael shook her head. “Drest, stop.”

He took a deep breath and did something he never in a million years thought he’d do. He let his guard down fully. “Woman, I have been in love with you from the second I saw you dancing around in that dining room. I will be in love with you until I take my dying breath. I understand that now, and I know I hurt you. I hate myself for that. For not wrapping my arms around you and whisking you away from everything. Had I listened to my gut, you’d be mine—not his. We’d be happy. We’d be together.”

Rachael stared at him with wide eyes, her jaw agape.

Sherri boldly reached over and pushed Rachael’s jaw up. “Yes. You heard him right. He just told you that he loves you.”

LeAnne nudged Rachael. “Give him another chance. Trust me. He’s worth the effort.”

“Uh, thanks,” said Drest, unsure how he’d gained an ally in her and Sherri, but thankful all the same.

“We’ll grab a cup of coffee and give the two of you a moment,” said Sherri. “But we’ll be where we can see you.” She did the pointing thing again, reminding Drest she had her eye on him.

He nodded. “I understand. I’ll behave. I swear.”

“You better,” warned Sherri. “Rachael is important to LeAnne and me. She’s our best friend. Screw with her in any way that doesn’t leave you pulling her hair and her having an orgasm, and I’ll ram my heeled foot up your—”

Rachael yelped and grabbed for her friend. “Sherri!”

Sherri shrugged. “What?”

“I can’t do this with him,” said Rachael. “I’m with Robin.”

Sherri rolled her eyes. “Don’t get me started on him. He’s so…annoying and into himself.”

“He is not,” said Rachael.

“I’m with Sherri,” said Drest with a hopeful grin. “And like I said, he’s not the man for you.”

“And you really think you are?” demanded Rachael.

“I do,” replied Drest.

“Until you decide you’re not,” she said firmly. “I can’t do this with you. You broke my heart.”

“Come on, Rachael,” said Sherri. “Give the guy a chance. Something tells me he’s more than willing to pull your hair while you—”

Rachael shook her head fast. “Don’t finish that sentence.”

Sherri grinned as she sashayed past Drest, looping her arm through LeAnne’s. “Behave. Or not.”

Drest snorted and found himself grinning.

“Oh yeah,” said Sherri to LeAnne as they headed in the direction of the coffee shop. “He’s a hair-puller all right.”

LeAnne laughed and gave Drest a thumbs-up before walking off.

Rachael groaned, covering her face with her hand as she turned several shades of red.

Drest watched as a man who wasn’t paying attention to where he was walking came barreling toward Rachael from behind. Drest reached out quickly, drawing Rachael to him, and turned her, putting himself in the man’s path.

Rachael gasped and stumbled against him, her body pressing to his as Drest held her.

The man walked right into Drest—who didn’t budge. He did glance over his shoulder at the man, who was standing there with his mouth agape.

“S-sorry, man,” said the other guy.

Drest glared at him, and he hurried off.

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