Page 49 of Men or Paws
I wasn’t going to lie, that would suck big time.
The last thing I wanted was for Beth to leave.
Too bad there was nothing I could do about it now.
I had already put it out there and the ball was in her court now.
Unless . . .
Could I charm my way out of it?
It certainly was worth a try.
Here goes nothing.
ChapterTen
Rocco
I held up my hand like I was being sworn in during a trial. “It’s the truth and nothing but the truth. I flirted with you. And I would like to formally apologize for my blunder, although really, if you think about it, it shouldn’t count since I wasn’t actually trying to flirt.”
“And you really think that would hold up in a court of law?” Beth asked. “Involuntary flirting?”
“Absolutely,” I said. “It came out of me before I could stop it.”
She smirked. “Sounds like a gas problem.”
I laughed and pointed at her. “You know, you really are funny. Humor obviously runs in your family.”
Beth lost her smile. “Stop it.”
I threw my palms up in the air in frustration. “What did I do this time?”
“You’re trying to butter me up with compliments to get on my good side after you clearly broke the rules.”
Smart woman.
It was partially true, although the compliment was sincere.
It was my time to smirk. “Do you actually have a good side?”
Beth crossed her arms and pursed her lips.
I chuckled. “I’m kidding. And why am I on your bad side? That’s what I don’t get. What could I have possibly done to paint such a horrible picture of myself in your head?”
Beth closed her mouth more tightly as if holding back a barrage of epithets.
“Fine. Don’t answer, but I’m not who you think I am, there’s no doubt about that. You obviously had formed a strong opinion of me long before we ever met, which is not that uncommon, considering what’s said about me on TV and social media. Well, news flash, this is me right here in my natural state.” I poked myself in the chest. “And furthermore, what’s wrong with compliments? Much of my happiness comes from seeing other people happy. If I can make a person’s day with a sincere compliment, I’m going to do it. The world needs more kindness.”
She was doing that staring thing again. “Who are you?”
“And that’s where the problem lies, you have no idea.” I decided to give her one of the glares she had given me on multiple occasions to see if I could get her to squirm.
It didn’t take long.
Beth tucked some hair behind one ear, then gestured inside the guesthouse. “Well, uh, are you coming in? Or are you leaving?”
Did that mean she was going to let the flirting slide?
