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Desiree shrugged. “Don’t know. But Skylar’s only about four months old, and she’s adorable.”
Leila’s face swam across his mind. He didn’t know why, and he sure as hell couldn’t explain it, but it was like she was the north pole, and he was a compass. He was constantly being pulled in her direction and couldn’t help himself. But a baby? Wow. That’s something he wasn’t expecting.
Leila was almost to the door of the boutique when she heard footsteps on the concrete behind her.
“Leila, wait!”
She glanced over her shoulder. Adler. Really? What did he want? She stopped abruptly and tapped her foot on the pavement. There was no way he found her interesting, and even if he did, the feeling sure wasn’t reciprocated.
He caught up and walked next to her.
She raised a brow, glanced at him, and stopped steps from the boutique door. “What do you want?” She stood firm and her gaze did the same.
“Look, I don’t know what I did to make you not like me, but I’m sorry.”
He was sorry? For what?
Before she could formulate a response, Elizabeth got out of her car and walked toward them. “Morning, Leila.” She turned to Adler. “Adler. What brings you by?”
“Hi, Elizabeth. I just stopped in to pick up some pastries for the office and happened to run into Leila while I was in the bakery.”
God, some people.She gritted her teeth and turned her attention to him. Frustration fueled her. “Man, Adler. Your ego’s ridiculous. I told you at her wedding that I wasn’t interested. I tried my best to ignore you at your house. I was rude to you just now at the bakery. You can’t be this desperate. When will you get the hint that your type doesn’t interest me?” Her hands went up even though they were filled with pastry boxes.
Elizabeth leaned over and grabbed them out of her grasp.
“Thank you, Liz. They’re for us. Adler bought them.”
Elizabeth puckered her lips. “Thanks, I guess?” She looked between Leila and Adler.
Leila shrugged. “Look, thank him if you want. I don’t know what his deal is. He’s with Desiree, but he’s flirting with me. It doesn’t make any sense, and anyway, I’m not interested in guys like him.”
“First of all, Desiree and I aren’t together, and second, please stop talking about me like I’m not even here.” Adler’s words were short and clipped.
She was getting to him. Probably not something he was used to. Good.
“Anyway, if you’re not interested in guys like me, what type of guy are you interested in?” he asked, the clipped words replaced by amusement.
God, this man. “Not someone who’s egotistical, self-centered, and thinks all girls will fall at his feet.”
Adler looked between Elizabeth and Leila. “Yeah, well I promise you, not all girls fall at my feet. I know of at least two who are really good at ignoring my advances.”
Elizabeth gave a small laugh and touched Adler’s arm. “I’m sorry. But if it makes you feel any better, you were a completegentleman when we met. You knew my situation and didn’t try anything that I might not have been okay with.” She turned to Leila. “When we met last summer, Adler was nothing but a gentleman, if that helps your impression of him any.” She shot him a wide toothy smile. “Come on Leila, we’ve got to get to work.” She pulled Leila away. “Bye, Adler.”
Leila gave him a small smile.
“Goodbye ladies.” He answered.
Leila gave an exaggerated eye roll and let Elizabeth pull her toward the store.
“So, what’s all that about?” Elizabeth jerked Leila’s arm gently.
“If I only knew.”Leila glanced over her shoulder. Adler stood there and shot her his sexy, toothy grin, then turned and strutted away.
Leila spun around quickly.Don’t think it. Don’t think it.She didn’t think it but instead pictured his ass and how satisfying it looked in those pants.
She closed her eyes tight and tried to shake the image from her mind by answering Elizabeth’s question. “I have no clue what that’s about. As you, and everyone else knows, we met at your wedding. It all started when Desiree asked me to dance with him so she could get things cleaned up. Then the garter fiasco.” Palm went to face, causing her to talk through her hand. “I’ve seen him a couple times since then and . . .” And what? He boiled her blood with his condescending remarks? He set her heart skipping with a touch of his hand? She didn’t have an answer, so she just shrugged.
“Well, I think he likes you.” Elizabeth wiggled her brows.
