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“Be a hardass.”
“Easier said than done with hundreds of people pressing down on you.”
“It’s not like you’re famous or anything. They won’t mob you.”
“You’re really getting the hang of this tough girl attitude.”
“I’ve had plenty of lessons,” Mandy said. “How’s things with Niki?”
He looked to the lodge float, and they both found Niki dressed as a monkey. She was smiling.
“Things seem to be working better. So thank you, Mandy. Really. You made me realize I need to be more aware of things like that.”
“In touch with your feelings?”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Sure you would, you’re a new-age guy.”
He’d moved closer to her, so close she could inhale him, which wasn’t a good thing. She’d never been aware of her body before, but he made her feel that way, and standing this close it was doubly so.
Suddenly everything changed between them, and tension sizzled in the air.
“What are you thinking about, Miss Robbins?” He spoke in a low voice that traveled along her nerve endings.
“If we have enough sweets to give out,” Mandy said quickly.
“Now that’s a lie, but I’ll wait till later to get the truth out of you. Enjoy the parade, Mandy.”
“You too.”
“Ha, I’d rather have a root canal.”
“That’s the spirit,” Mandy managed to get out. “I have to walk this year because Aunt Marla has her leg, and Aunt Sarah said it’s my turn after all these years.” She was babbling now.
“You being a changed person and all?”
“Something like that.”
“Remember.” He tapped her forehead. “Strong in here.”
Mandy nodded. Their eyes caught and held briefly, and then he walked away, and she had to say those tight shorts looked really good on his butt.
Chapter 26
Holy crap.
Ted walked back to the lodge float. He’d nearly swallowed his tongue when he saw Mandy. That dress was made of green something, with a sheer skirt that came from under her breasts and floated to midthigh, exposing a lot of leg… really nice legs.
She had a circle of wildflowers on her head, and her hair was a cloud of curls. In short, she was sexy as all hell.
“Was that Mandy?”
He nodded to Lenny.
“Damn, she looks fine.”
Ted refrained from punching his manager, and instead grunted something unintelligible.
