Page 12 of The Front Runner
Good god. That’s going to be a hard sell. “It makes more sense to have them at Gold Rush with the clinic on site.”
Stefan waves me off. “It’s a five-minute drive. You’ll be fine.”
My teeth grind at his dismissal, but I tamp my agitation down and focus on how badly that foal needs a mom. “Fine,” I grit out.
“And two.” The man looks downright gleeful. “You let me take you on a date.”
Motherfucker.
He scratches his chin thoughtfully. “Actually, three dates.”
Mother. Fucker.
“You can’t be serious,” I whisper-shout at him, watching his eyes flashing with something I don’t recognize. I think he secretly gets off on agitating people, self-serving prick that he is. “You’re really going to make that running joke part of this deal?”
His lips tip up. “That’s rich coming from the woman who brought me a coffee, spent hours helping me, and tried to hit me with her best damsel-in-distress face to get what she wants.”
I shake my head at him with wide eyes and fists propped on my hips. “I can’t believe how thoroughly you outmaneuvered me. You’re willing to use a dying foal to corner me into this? Man, I feel like I just got schooled.”
“You did.” He smiles smugly, looking altogether too pleased with himself. He knows I won’t be able to say no. Not only because I want to save that foal, but because I won’t let my friend down.
“Why three dates?”
“Because it’s more than one.”
My foot taps. “Why not two?
“Because it’s less than three?” He says it like a question.
“Okay, then why not five?”
“Are you asking for more, Dr. Thorne?” The smile he hits me with now is downright devastating.
“So, basically you’ve taken your running request and added two punishment dates?” My voice is incredulous.
“They won’t be a punishment for me.” He grins, and I almost want to slap it off his smug face. I wish I didn’t want to save this horse so desperately, or I would. I also wish I didn’t admire his tenacity. I definitely wish my stomach wasn’t fluttering over why Stefan Dalca wants to take me on a date so badly.
I am a smart girl who is about to do something very stupid.
“Fine. But they will not take place in Ruby Creek, they will be platonic, and you can’t tellanyone.” I turn and head toward the door before he can respond, looking forward to escaping to the safety of my truck.
“Whatever you say,” he replies smoothly. “I just can’t fall in love with you, right?”
I chuckle as I twist the doorknob to leave. “Oh, Stefan. I think you already are.”
I smile into the crisp afternoon air at the sound of his laughter behind me. I may be stuck with the guy, but I don’t have to make it easy for him.
Can’t let him win every round.
5
Mira
“No.No fucking way. No, Mira. No.”
Violet looks between Billie and me with wide blue eyes, like she’s trying to figure out how she can smooth this over. I’ve just told them about Stefan Dalca’s stipulation but conveniently left out the date part for obvious reasons. There are some things the people you love just don’t need to know. I will make that sacrifice in secret.
And I don’t want to watch Billie full-on erupt either.
