Page 56 of No Way Home
He moved that direction, blocking my way. “It’s something about your eyes, right?”
I wasn’t admitting my additional swipe of mascara. Not to him. Or anyone, for that matter. “I got a good night’s sleep. That’s all.”
He perked up, which meant I’d accidentally handed him the invitation he’d been hoping for. “We should celebrate that. How about lunch today, on me? Lucy’s has a special on lasagna.” He winked. “I bet I could get my dad to give us an extra few minutes.”
“No thanks,” I said cheerily. “I have Celiac disease, so Lucy’s is a no-go.”
He scowled. “Friday, when I asked you to the Tastee Freeze, you said you were lactose intolerant. And Thursday, when I suggested we head to Honeyville for barbecue, you told me you were a vegetarian.” His eyes flashed for just a second before he rolled his shoulders back, reinstating his cocky grin. “I’m on to you, Margaret.”
“Not sure what you’re referring to. I have a lot of food allergies,” I said with mock misery. “Sucks to be me.”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” he purred, trying to sound husky. All it made me want to do was douse myself in gasoline and light a very large match.
“I assure you I don’t,” I clipped.
His gaze dropped to my mouth. “When a girl keeps saying no, she really means?—”
“No,” Bowen boomed, suddenly behind me, making an unbidden shiver dance up my spine. “When a girl keeps saying no, you respect that she means it.”
I turned to see him holding his iPad and a large Yeti, probably filled with water, knowing him, glowering at the humanbarricade blocking our way. My breath snagged in my throat.Ho-ly…
Who knew a basic white slim fit tee, dark jeans, and work boots could be so hot?
You are so weak.
Excuse me for forgetting to engage my You Will Not Fall For Bowen No Matter How Good He Looks in a Pair of Jeans shield.
I turned it on and locked my heart down for the day.
“Morning, Magnolia.” Bowen’s gray eyes sparkled at me. Too bad for him, my shields were now fully operational—and unbreachable.
“Morning,” I said. “How are the stitches holding?”
“Perfectly.” He flipped his palm up for me to see and flashed a dazzling grin.
And that’s all it took. Shields obliterated, my heart executed a full backflip inside my chest.Bad heart. Bad, bad heart! “Fantastic,” I said flatly, accompanied by a curt nod. I needed through this door. Now!
“I thought it was Margaret,” Topher whined,stillblocking the way. “You told me it was Margaret.”
I exhaled loudly. “No,yousaid it was Margaret. I just didn’t care enough to correct you.”
Bowen snorted and covered it with a cough.
“Wait.” Topher’s arms finally dropped. “You two are on speaking terms?” His voice cracked like he knew he was no competition for Bowen. “I thought after the race…”
I ducked past him, cheeks hot, and hurried down the hall. I heard both of them follow.
“You thought wrong,” Bowen said confidently, behind me. “But before you get any ideas, we’re just friends.”
That’s right, Magnolia. Just. Friends. No. Not Magnolia! Maggie. And don’t you forget it, MAGGIE.I would not let Bowen’s proclivity for using my full name worm its way into my heart. Not this time.
“Verygoodfriends,” Bowen finished, a threat in his tone.
Do not—I repeat—do NOT dissect that!
I let myself soften long enough to glance over my shoulder and give Bowen a brief smile. It was common courtesy to show gratitude for a well-placed half-truth. Fine. It was a complete lie. We couldn’t have been further from ‘very good friends’ if we tried.
“Have a nice day, Magnolia.”
