Page 32 of Rules of Engagement
"Yeah, well, you'd better watch it. The last thing she needs is you messing with her when she's still getting over the last guy."
"Best way to get over someone is to—"
"Seriously? You're going to go there?" Mac said, glaring at Carter. "She's practically—"
"Your sister?" Carter asked, hammering home Eliza's brotherly kiss comment.
Mac glared at him. Carter glared back. "Look, I have no intention of hurting Eliza. Besides, I can't make a move until after Linc's wedding, so chill."
"It's true," Lincoln murmured. "I axed his plans until Amelia and I are on our honeymoon."
"Which means once Linc and Amelia are gone, you're going to do what?" Mac asked.
"Dude, you had your chance. Actually, as Marsali's big brother, you've had lots of chances with Eliza over the years, and it didn't work." Mac all but growled at him and Carter shrugged. "Just stating facts."
"Yeah, well, fact is if you hurt her, I will hurt you. Got it?"
"Oryou could let Eliza take care of herself and stay out of her business," Eliza said, her tone cold as ice.
Carter stilled and turned to face Eliza, her expression filled with feminine ire.
"Really? Are you three seriously sitting here discussing me like…that?"
Carter glanced around and noted all of them had sat back in their seats and now stared at Eliza as though eyeing a tiger suddenly loosed in the lobby.
Carter cleared his throat, brain scrambling to soothe. "We meant no offense, sweetheart."
"I'm only looking out for you," Mac said.
"I was told there was a bachelor party," Lincoln grumbled under his breath.
Eliza's arms were loaded with an elaborately wrapped wedding present and Carter stood. "Let me carry that for you."
"I've got it," she bit out, fingers white.
"Eliza—"
"I have work to do. Please leave meoutof future conversations—and plans."
He followed her as she walked away from them. "Hey. Hey, wait a second. Eliza, I just want to be your friend."
A huff left her, and the look she shot him blew his statement to bits.
"Friend?"
"Fine. I admit I'd like more—to get to know you."
"Why?"
He blinked at her question. Drew back from the intensity behind it. Why? "Because you're you and I like what I see."
"Yeah, well, you're you and… I don't. Bad boys are just…bad."
Eliza turned on her heel and stalked away as quietly as she'd approached.
"Ohhh, yeah," Mac said, chuckling hard. "Okay, I think I've seen what I needed to see,brother."
Lincoln tossed his cards onto the table. "I'm going to go call my fiancée."
