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How the hell did I just read this whole thing in one sitting?
Despite my sore eyes, I have no regrets. It was a surprisingly compelling book with a captivating plot. Who would have thought I’d be into romance novels. I chuckle to myself as I place it on my nightstand, then grab my cell to send my romance blogger, Aunty Emory, a quick text.
ARLO: I just spent the last eight hours in an alien world with double-dicked dudes.
She won’t see it until morning, so I set my phone down and curl onto my side, promptly drifting off.
ChapterNine
I’m dyingto know what Belle and Arlo talked about yesterday, so the moment Ariel pulls up in the parking lot at the office, I’m out of the car, Bosco in my arms because his little legs wouldn’t be able to keep up with me as I speed walk inside to find Belle.
Last night I had a thought—I bet he only asked me out yesterday because I said no to him on Friday night when he offered to walk me out. It’s a rejection thing. Pretty boys like him rarely hear the word no. I bet that’s all this is. And I need Belle to confirm it.
She’s sitting in her ultra-plush desk chair, doing God knows what on her multiple computer monitors. I have no idea why she needs three screens, but whatever. I rest my butt on the edge of her desk and cross my ankles as I wait for her to acknowledge me. Hell hath no fury like an interrupted Belle.
After a few more taps on her keyboard, she finally gives me her attention. “Good morning,” she says with a knowing smirk.
“Don’tgood morningme, how was it? You didn’t answer my texts last night.” I huff, crossing my arms over my chest.
“I don’t know what you’re expecting from me. It was fine. Just like I said in my reply to your many, many texts,” she says, sitting back in her chair as she crosses one leg over the other.
I widen my eyes at her. “Exactly. You only sent one reply to multiple texts. And multiple questions. Also,it was fine, we drank coffeeis not a sufficient answer.”
With an uncaring shrug, she says, “If you want to know everything we discussed word for word, maybe you should have just gone yourself. You know, like he asked you to.”
“Who asked whom to do what?” Meg asks, startling the crap out of me.
“Oh, my God! Where the hell did you come from?”
She nods toward her desk as a frown forms on her face. “Umm, I was sitting right there, not five feet away from you. What’s got you all jittery? Did you finally track down your skipper?”
My shoulders slump. “Nothing and no.”
“You want help?” she asks.
“No,” I snap.
Hurt flashes in her eyes, so I sigh, instantly feeling like a bitch. I rub at my brow. “Sorry, I’ll figure it out. But thanks.”
Meg nods, as understanding as ever. “Okay, let me know if you change your mind. Until then, what were you two talking about?”
“Nothing,” I say at the same time Belle says, “Kida’s new boyfriend.”
Meg’s jaw drops, and that hurt look is back as she stares at me in shock. “You have a boyfriend, and you didn’t tell me?”
I shake my head adamantly. “No. Heck, Belle’s the one who went out with him, not me.”
Belle scoffs. “Only because you threw the poor guy under the bus. He asked you to coffee with him, and you refused then offered me up as a substitute. Which, by the way, was a total dick move on your part. He was so sweet in offering to keep things friendly if you weren’t comfortable with it being a date.”
“He who?” Meg asks.
“The new guy in town, Arlo Blaine. The one Keeds,ya know… last week at Perky’s,” Belle says, and my gaze darts around to make sure Dad’s not within hearing distance.
“Hush with that!” I growl.
Belle rolls her eyes. “He’s not even here yet.”
Meg looks at me for a moment, then nods again before she tucks her long brown hair behind her ear and clears her throat. “Okay, well you know where I am if you want to discuss…anything.” She gives me a sad smile, then retreats to her desk.
