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She shrugged. "You know I don't mind it. I love dressing up. And any excuse to show the other women the pretty dresses I have here is like a marketing event for me. Can't help but spread the word." She leaned forward, a smile grew on her face. "If you want to help me market my boutique, I'll set you up with a nice suit and the men in town will see they can find smart clothing here too."
He chuckled. Not that he was interested in being a fashion statement, but it was a way to get closer to her. "Okay. You're on. I'll be your man model."
"Really?" Her eyes rounded and she clapped her hands in front of her. "You mean it?"
"Sure. Why not. Only if you'll have dinner with me though."
Her smile faded and she swallowed what looked like a big lump in her throat. "I better not. Lara..."
She tucked her hair behind her ear. "I better not."
"What does Lara have to do with it?"
"Nothing."
"You said Lara."
"I...it was a mistake."
He moved to the counter. Her hands now lay on top of it between them. He reached forward and took each of her hands in his. Her eyes softened when he touched her, and she swallowed again. "Lara what?"
7
Oh, she was going to be in so much trouble. She shouldn't have said Lara's name. He'd caught her off-guard, though she didn't know why. She'd flirted plenty of times with him. She couldn't seem to help it. He was incredibly handsome. Every time she saw him she melted a bit more and her body, dang, the responses he elicited from her body were incredible.
She swallowed a lump in her throat and took a deep breath. "Please don't be mad."
"I'm not mad. I'm curious though. And, I'd like to know what Lara has said to make you pull away from me."
"I didn't pull away..." She took a deep breath. "I suppose I did...or do."
She stared at her hands, still in his hands between them. His olive skin was such contrast to her white skin. She tanned only a little in the summer. But she'd always worried about premature wrinkles and aging, so she was careful. But, by December, like it was now, any coloring she did have had faded away to nothing at all.
Their hands together looked good. They were different, yet together.
He squeezed her hands lightly. Her eyes slid up to his. His eyes, man they were incredible. Dark brown and his lashes were full and thick, and it was maddening that he had such pretty eyes. He'd likely get pissed to hear that. Men didn't like being pretty, but his eyes were mesmerizing.
"Hey." It came out as a whisper. "Tell me what's going on."
She rubbed her lips together, wishing she had her lip gloss near. "Lara is worried that if we date and it doesn't work out it'll cause weirdness at the HOG."
He nodded but said nothing for a moment. She saw him swallow. "That's understandable."
She nodded her head.
He squeezed her hands again, " But she doesn't get to tell us who we can date. As a matter-of-fact, I've heard tell that when Lara and Tate got together, Tate thought Spencer was interested in Lara and he was going to step aside for the same reason. When she told Tate she wasn't interested in Spencer, that's when they got together. That wouldn't have worked out at all in the end, would it?"
"No. It's true. Tate thought Lara was interested in Spencer too. She's told me since then how happy they both are that she'd spoken up."
"And there weren't any issues between Tate and Spencer. Actually, Spencer thought she was beautiful, but as soon as he knew Tate was interested in her, he backed away completely. Which tells you he wasn't all that interested to begin with."
"Right. But..."
"But. You and I are in a different situation. We both don't work for GHOST, but you are Lara's best friend."
"Yeah."
His hands were warm and strong, and she felt the goose bumps climb up her arm the more he spoke. His voice made her weak in the knees.
