Page 44 of Bad Boy Done Wrong
Josh tucked his phone in his back jeans pocket, his dark eyes lit with anticipation. “Yeah?”
Hailey smiled her pasted-on beauty-queen smile. It popped up in high-stress situations. “I think we should go back to the beginning. Right the wrong so we can move forward.”
Josh arched a brow.
Hailey tossed her hair. “You owe me five hundred large.”
Josh stepped closer. “You realize large means a thousand, right? I owe you fivehundred. That’s it.” That was the grand total Hailey had previously paid Josh to be her escort at the many weddings she planned. Their arrangement had ended suddenly with the typical flare-up of tempers between them.
Hailey lifted her chin, looked around to their friends, who were all watching and silently supporting her. Carrie gave her an encouraging smile. Hailey turned back to Josh. “Well, it’s large to me.”
Josh snickered.
Hailey soldiered on. “I would like that money returned so we’re on even footing.”
Josh inclined his head. “Come and get it.”
Hailey bristled. “No, you can give it to me.”
“Here we go!” Mad chortled. The women shushed her. This was where things fell apart last time. Josh had the money at his apartment. Hailey refused to go there.
Josh grinned devilishly. “I told ya it’s back at my place. All ya gotta do is—” his voice dropped low and taunting “—come and get it.”
Hailey put her hands on her hips and retorted, “I’m not setting foot in that den of sin!”
Josh threw back his head and laughed. Carrie had to wonder what exactly a den of sin looked like. Whips and chains? Stripper poles? Red velvet walls?
“So you won’t bring it here?” Hailey asked.
“Nope,” Josh replied.
“Then I would like an escort.” She looked around to some of the men, her gaze landing on Zach.
“Don’t put me in the middle of this,” Zach said.
It didn’t matter. Josh was already stepping out from behind the bar, heading straight for Hailey. He stopped next to her and crooked his elbow, offering his arm in a gentlemanly way. The Campbell men were all very good with the gentleman manners.
“Not you!” Hailey said, glaring at his offered arm.
“Why not?” Josh asked. “I’ve escorted you before.”
Carrie turned to Zach. “He means down the aisle.”
“Not at our wedding!” Hailey exclaimed. “We’re not married. We’re not anything.”
Josh let out a breath of clear exasperation. “What’s it gonna be, princess?”
Hailey scowled. “Go away.”
“Chicken.”
“Don’t talk to me ever again. I mean it.”
“Never?” Josh teased. “What if there’s a fire?”
Hailey pursed her lips. “Then tell someone else.”
“Tornado?” Mad put in, earning a dark look from Hailey.
