Page 34 of Love and Lingerie (Rockland Falls 2)

“I’m sorry for your loss,” I say, trying to think back to when Stanley Morton passed.

She waves a dismissive hand. “Ehh, it’s been two decades. He’s in a much better place.” Mrs. Morton glances down at the dessert. “One where the neighbors don’t bring you mangled cheesecake.”

“No…but it wasn’t…” I close my eyes and take a deep breath.

“Thank you for stopping by, Harley,” Mrs. Morton says, turning toward her door, leaving the cheesecake on the swing.

“It’s Harper.”

“What?” she asks loudly when she reaches the screened door.

“Nothing,” I mumble. “Enjoy your day, Mrs. Morton.”

She doesn’t respond, just opens the door and steps through, leaving me dumbfounded on the front porch. What the hell just happened? And what in the world did she do to the poor cheesecake? I turn to head back to my car, feeling majorly defeated and played. Before I hit the bottom of the stairs, I turn back to the swing and swipe the cheesecake. It may not be pretty anymore, but it’s still cheesecake, and you don’t waste it!

I stomp back to my car, even more frustrated and determined to win this bid. Latham thinks he can come over here with his sexy smile and strong muscles – Wait. Stop thinking about his attributes, Harper. Anyway, he thinks he can come over here and charm the likes of Mrs. Morton, and well, he has another think coming. Sure, he may have gotten the edge today, but I’m not going down easily or without a fight. He wants to play dirty, I’m ready to play ball.

Dirty ball.

I can’t help but snort. Aunt Emma would be all over that sexual innuendo.

With my cheesecake in my lap, I head to my store to plot my next move. Free is there and is always good for a few dirty ideas when it comes to revenge. He may have won this round, but this is war, and the only person coming out victorious on the other side is going to be me.

* * *

I pull my car into the restaurant parking lot a few minutes before seven. Skyler wanted to pick me up at my place, but I insisted I just meet him here. I don’t know him well enough to actually hand over my home address. That’s something I picked up quickly during my time in New York City.

Exhaling deeply and pushing that thought out of my head, I grab my phone and fire off a quick text to Free.

Me: Just arrived. Wish me luck.

Free: Did you pack the condoms?

Me: What? I’m not having sex with him!

Free: Then why, again, are you going on this date?

Me: Not all dates lead to sex, Freedom Rayne! What kind of girl are you? *insert shocked emoji*

Free: The kind that likes to have her hair pulled every now and again, Harper Grayson.

Me: *giggle snorts*

Free: Text me when you leave. I’m going to your brother’s.

Me: Samuel’s?

Free: He would be so lucky. No, your other brother’s. It’s poker night. I ran into Garrett earlier today, and he mentioned he’s going to Jensen’s to play. I bet your uptight, anal brother will be there too. Bonus if I can make him blush in the first two minutes of my arrival.

Me: Well, you have fun. Don’t take all their money. Jensen has shoes to buy for my nephew.

Free: I make no promises. *kissy face emoji*

I slip my phone into my purse, swipe on a coat of nude lip gloss, and head to the restaurant. Inside, I’m instantly comforted in the scents of fresh salsa and tortilla chips, and my mouth starts to water. Glancing around the restaurant, I find Skyler standing up in a booth in back, waving to catch my attention. I offer a small smile and slowly make my way to our table. Of course, I know most of the people at the tables along the way, so after a brief greeting to half the restaurant, I finally find myself sliding into the booth.

Skyler is smiling widely – or at least I think he is. Hard to tell sometimes with that Tom Selleck mustache he has going on. “You look lovely,” he says, reaching for my hand. When I place it in his, he brings it to his mouth and places his lips on my knuckles.

But all I can think about is it looks like a small squirrel is frolicking on my hand. I try not to snicker (that would be rude), but a little noise slips out. I try to cover it with a fake cough, but then it just sounds like I’m fake coughing. Skyler glances up at me, his smile faltering just a little.

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