Page 22 of Blindsided By Fake Love

“I’m back.” I give him an overly bright smile before glancing back at Kit and winking. Her brows shoot past her hairline, and a delightful shade of pink colors her cheeks. “Just around the corner in Mrs. Maple’s old house.”

Keeping my gaze on her, I feel Scott’s eyes bouncing back and forth between the two of us, trying to figure out what’s going on. Meanwhile, hers are shooting daggers at me. My smirk broadens, and my blood hums, excitement surging through me.

The smile on her face is tight, and her glare screaming, ‘What are you doing?’

I pull my brows together and silently reply, ‘Helping.’

Her eyes narrow, and the corners of my mouth curve higher. I love it when she gets that fire in her eyes. Being the one who causes it is one of my all-time favorite things.

“Is that how the two of you started talking again?” Scott questions, pointing at me. I forgot he was here, witnessing our silent exchange. A sense of satisfaction fills me, knowing I’m the reason behind his agitation.

“Nope.” I pop the ‘p,’ Letting my smirk get impossibly bigger. “We just happened to run into each other over the past weekend in Las Vegas.”

Scott’s mouth falls open before forming an ‘O’. He snaps his head toward Kit and scowls at her. A muscle in his jaw ticks. Watching his reaction, one would think he was the victim of a runaway bride instead of being the runaway groom.

Is that even a thing?

“Right, Kit?” I give her one last squeeze before removing my hand and nudging her. “Seeing each other that night caught both of us by surprise.”

Kit lets out a tight chuckle, and her jaw tightens. “Total surprise! I mean, what are the odds that I’d run into Beau?” She nudges me not so gently with her elbow, and I rub my side. “Crazy, right, Scott?”

“Wait.” I can see the wheels start spinning in his head. “He’snot the new man Genevieve was talking about?”

Glancing back at Kit, her face is a delightful shade of red. I probably shouldn’t be having so much fun with this, but I am. “There’s a new man in your life, eh?”

“I wouldn’t say that exactly,” she grinds out through clenched teeth. Glaring back at me. The sparkle in her eyes is doing funny things to my gut. I have to use every inch of control to keep my eyes from dipping to her lips.

“Well, whatwouldyou say?” At Scott’s tone, I shift my gaze to his face and immediately my fist clenches.

His eyes move up and down Kit as if she’s something that crawled out from under his shoe. Heat creeps up the back of my neck, and my body inches closer to Kit as if having a will of its own.

“What’s going on between me and Beau is none of your business,” Kit says angrily. “Especially after what you did.”

I forgot that Kit can take care of herself. She’s made bigger men regret getting into it with her, but Scott isn’t that smart. He doesn’t back down. “What do you mean it’s none of my business? I’m your—”

“My what?” Kit dares him to continue. A sense of pride flares up in my chest. And I want to high-five her. “We’re over. I can date anyone I want. Even Beau Matthews.”

“You’d never date him. The two of you hated each other back in school.” This time, when Scott’s gaze bounces back and forth between us, he glares at us with pure loathing.

“That’s where you’re wrong,” I interrupt. Glancing over at Kit, I allow the affection that has been swirling since seeing her again show. “There’s a fine line, my friend. I never hated Kit. It was my attempt to cover that I had a massive thing for her.”

Kit’s head whips in my direction, her expression confused and her mouth slightly parted. This time, I can’t stop my gaze from dropping to her lips. When I glance back at her, there’s a stunned look on her face.

“Running into her was probably the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Kit’s surprised expression has turned to one of annoyance. I’m pretty sure she thinks I’m playing a game. And I am. Just not the one she believes.

The game I’m playing is for keeps.

Chapter Ten

Kit

Beau’swordswashoverme like hot tea, warming me to my core. Searching his face, I don’t see any hint of teasing—no glint, no smirk. None of the tell-tale signs that Beau Matthews is trying to pull one over on me.

If I see anything, it’s sincerity.

Could he be telling the truth?

My stomach swoops, and my knees turn to jelly. Completely lost in his heated silver gaze, Scott’s words bring me back to the fact that there are three of us here.

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