I’ll admit, that didn’t give me much hope. I’m not terribly patient with people who don’t use the brains they were given. In fact, I’m downright picky when it comes to men because of it, and I know it. I like them smart, kind, and thoughtful—and it wouldn’t hurt if they’re attractive, too. I can’t let just any yahoo near my hoo-ha, now can I?
As my friends continue to talk about anything and everything under the sun, my phone vibrates with incoming messages from the Tryst app. With a quick glance down, I see Prof.M. has responded to my question and is ready to discuss.
Yes. Somehow, within a twenty-mile radius, there is someone out there who is as nerdy about Sherlock as I am. Prof.M. stands for Professor Moriarty, who, in the stories, is Sherlock’s archenemy. I didn’t let that fact stop me—I’d been a little unsure at first, but my curiosity outweighed my fear. It became clear from our very first interaction that he was someone I needed to know better.
I sneak a peek down at my phone while my friends are still gabbing about Hadleigh and her new boyfriend, Sawyer.
Prof.M. to Sherlock4Love: You realize there are more than seventy-five actors who have portrayed Sherlock, right?
Prof.M. to Sherlock4Love: And you want me to narrow that down to my favorite?
Prof.M. to Sherlock4Love: Okay. I’m going to have to go with Cumberbatch, then.
I smirk. Of course he’d choose Benedict Cumberbatch. Based on our earlier conversations, he seems to like anything that’s new and shiny. Me? I prefer the classics—gotta be at least twenty-five years since filming. When we’d first messaged back and forth, he’d asked me if I preferred the original Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stories or the movies. Well, duh. I’m an English teacher, so of course I prefer the books. Not that he knows that I’m an English teacher—we haven’t gotten quite that far yet, and at the moment, I’m more comfortable keeping an air of anonymity.
What cracks me up the most is here I am, all flustered and excited about our messages, and they aren’t even remotely personal. They’re nowhere near sexy or provocative. Just a whole lot of Sherlock talk, so far. Maybe it should be a clue to me that this isn’t going anywhere.
Except—I guess it shouldn’t surprise me—intellectual talk about my favorite topic actually turns me the hell on. Deep breaths. And now I can’t help but think about what the guy looks like. My mind goes haywire, envisioning a ruggedly masculine face, hard pecs, muscled shoulders and arms, abs to die for, and a cock that just won’t quit. I make a little noise at the back of my throat which I don’t quite manage to conceal. Shit.
Sophia, always hyperaware of everything going on in our group—our resident mother hen—raises one perfectly arched eyebrow at me. “Piper, who the heck is texting you?”
“You’ve been off in your own world for the last five minutes.” Zoey nudges me with a frown. I can tell she’s got her guidance counselor focus trained on me, and it makes me squirm.
With an embarrassed shrug, I set my phone face down on the table in front of me. “Sorry. It’s just a friend I’ve been keeping in touch with.” I scramble to pick up my coffee cup and take a sip, casting my eyes downward.
I can sense everyone’s attention on me. I have no idea if they bought that or not. I haven’t had the nerve to tell anyone else yet that I’m on Tryst. Is online dating even still the “cool” thing to do? I have no idea. I’m at the end of the road, though. The end of my rope, even. Desperately seeking some sort of connection.
“So, what’s going on with the department chair selection?” Madison, our resident librarian, gives me a curious look. “I don’t even understand how the whole department chair thing works since I don’t technically have a department to belong to.”
“I guess Jake just has to put a name forward as his suggestion.” I bite my lip and shrug as I stare at the trace of lipstick I’d left on the rim of my mug, running my thumb over it and wiping it away. “I think he said he was expected to submit the name by the end of this quarter.”
Quinn cocks her head to the side. “But surely there’s stuff that you can do to maybe … sway his opinion?” She snorts. “Gotta say, I’m kind of glad Heath isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. I’m perfectly happy to let him lead the science department. Aren’t you, Sophia?”
She grins big. “Well, yeah. And I have our wedding to plan, so he needs to keep bringing in that little bit of extra money.”
I take another sip of my coffee and my eyes flick around the group. “I guess I’m just going to do my job the best I can, and do anything Jake asks of me to the best of my ability, you know?” I shake my head. “I just never dreamed that I’d end up having to fight for it.”
Madison blows out a breath as she covers my hand with hers on the table. “And no one is bringing up the elephant in the room.”
“Since when is Damon an elephant?” Hadleigh giggles. “He’s more like a stud. A very sexy stud.”
“That man is like a force of nature.” Quinn eyes me carefully. “He definitely knows what he wants and goes after it.” Her lips tug up on one side in a grimace. “I hope he doesn’t railroad you out of the position.”
Zoey winces at the idea. “How well do you get along? I mean, your schedules are identical—you must spend your lunch and planning period together almost every single day.”
“Meh. He likes to argue.” I shake my head with a pained groan. “And he thinks he’s always right. Always knows the best course of action to take. Always knows how to fix a problem. It’s kind of frustrating most of the time.”
Sophia taps her chin with her fingertip, smiling. “You know that’s because you think you’re right.”
I wave my hands in exasperation. “Hello? That’s because I am. He’s one of those ridiculous alpha males who refuses to believe any way but their way might be right.”
Hadleigh looks to be on the verge of laughter. “Well, personally, I don’t know how you do it. I try not to look at him while I’m in the workroom with him.”
My brow furrows. “What? Why not?”
She giggle-snorts. “I’m afraid I’ll get pregnant. He seems … virile.”
I roll my eyes. “Ugh, stop. He’s such a pain in my ass right now.”
“Well, if there’s anything we can do to help you, let us know.” Sophia shrugs her slim shoulders.
Quinn sets down her coffee mug with a thump. “Well, I can’t wait to see how this all plays out.”
“I can’t believe I have a front-row seat to the whole thing right there in our workroom.” Hadleigh hides her smile with her hand, then throws me an apologetic glance.
I’m glad she’s amused. She’d better hope as the competition heats up between Damon and me that it doesn’t blow up right in our faces or she’ll get caught in the fallout.
“You’re way too giddy about it, Had. Let’s talk about something else. I’m just … done.”
From the way the quiet settles over our table, I can tell they know I’m a little thrown by the whole conversation.
Madison clears her throat. “Um. So, who wants to go try out the new barre class at the gym after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays? They’ve got a new instructor and I thought it sounded kind of fun.”
“Wait, what kind of class?” I wrinkle my nose. Bar class?
“You know, barre—like ballet for non-ballerinas.”
Multiple pairs of eyes around the table finally light with understanding.
“I used to do ballet. Sounds fun to me.” Quinn nods and sets down her mug. “I’m in.”
I squint at her, my lips pursed. “And you have the body for it, too—all tall and skinny.”
“Piper, you have a banging body. What are you moping about?” Hadleigh frowns, her forehead creasing.
Zoey pokes me in the upper arm. “Yeah, you’re adorable.”
I pout and point down at my sides. “My hips. I’ve never liked ’em. I swear, if I’d lived a century ago, I would have made, like, twenty babies.” My hands clench for a second before they release.
We al
l look at each other before we start snickering. Through our gales of laughter, I hear Madison whisper-shout, “She’s got birthing hips!” More giggles ensue.
Once we’ve finally calmed, Hadleigh gives me her signature naughty grin. “That’s a lot of babies, Piper. Sounds like you need to find the right man for that job.”
My hand freezes on my mug. I feel a tiny bit like a bad friend since I haven’t shared Prof.M. with them yet, but I’m just not ready. My body steadily warms as I think about the man who’s been making me laugh and smile lately, and I wonder what he’s like …
In bed.
Yes I know, I haven’t even met him. Haven’t looked into his eyes. Yet, somehow, I know that if it ever happens, it could be amazing. I pick my phone up off the table, desperately trying to avoid giving in and checking my messages.
I want to know if it’s him lighting up my phone, but I don’t dare look or everyone will want to know exactly who it is I’m chatting with. And they’ll know something is up because when I message him, I tend to grin like a lunatic. I can’t help myself.
With an exaggerated sigh, I steer us back to our conversation about the barre class and acquiesce. “Okay, I’ll go to that barre class. Who else is in?”
Quinn raises a hand. “I already said I’d do it. It’ll be fun.”
“Anyone else in?” Madison sits up, clapping her hands, excited to have us join her.
Sophia laughs. “Hard pass. I just don’t have time with wedding planning. You all have fun with it, though.”
“Zoey? Hadleigh?”
Zoey wrinkles her nose. “Ugh. you guys know me. I’m always at school until at least six. I don’t want to promise I’ll be there and then be a no-show.”
Hadleigh gives us her best yikes face. “You know, I wish I could, but time alone with Sawyer is kind of precious right now.”
Madison looks at me, then at Quinn. “Okay, then, ladies. I guess it’s the three of us. Be at the gym at four on Tuesday. We’ll see what it’s all about.”
I nod absentmindedly as I flip my phone over and glance down at Prof.M.’s latest message, already distracted. Again.
Also by Amanda Bailey
Change of Heart series
PREQUEL: Meant for Each Other
BOOK 1: The End of Me
BOOK 2: I’ll Wait for You
BOOK 3: Make You Mine
BOOK 4: Stay with Me
BOOK 5: It Was Always You
SPIN-OFF: Steal My Breath
Dare to Dream series
BOOK 1: Tempt Me
BOOK 2: Adore Me
BOOK 3: Kiss Me
BOOK 4: Tease Me
BOOK 5: Love Me
SPIN-OFF: Dare Me
Also by Amanda Bailey
Flirting with Forever series
Book 1: Lost in You
Book 2: Fight for You
Book 3: Burn for You
Dear Reader
Hadleigh is such a gem, isn’t she? And I absolutely love that Sawyer brings out a different side of her—someone no one sees but him. My other favorite thing about this book is how Sophia and Quinn took care of the Ed problem. Honestly, that asshole is lucky he got away with just a broken nose and the loss of his naughty photos.
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I really hope you are ready for more fun from this crew, as Burn for You is shaping up nicely. Piper and Damon are bringing you one hell of a delicious slow burn. Prepare yourself. Grab a fan and some water to dump over your head.
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If I haven’t said it often enough, I am so appreciative of those of you who are following me on this writing journey and loving my characters right along with me.
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Do you know the best way to let me know you are loving what you are reading? Reviews. Yep! Whether it’s on Amazon, BookBub, Goodreads, or elsewhere, reviews count.
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So, if you want more of what I’m writing, share with me what you love about the books!
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Find me on these platforms if you want to review:
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Until next time,
XO Amanda XO
Acknowledgments
To Rebecca Kimmel, make sure you tell your brawler thank you for the suggestions! Thanks for always being willing to talk things through with me.
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To Krista Dapkey, holy timeline, Batman. I’m so glad you have my back with all the details. Are you glad that Hadleigh got her Vitamin D?
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To Diana TC, you worked so hard on this cover and I think it paid off. So gorgeous. I’ve been getting compliments left and right.
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To KB, you always seem to catch something! I forgot to ask if you noticed Sawyer and Willow’s address. Ha!
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And, to my family, as always, you guys are the best. XOXO
About the Author
Amanda Bailey lives in Virginia in her dream home in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. She enjoys staying home with her two children and husband, watching movies and reality TV, and reading books. She writes what she loves to read—steamy, dreamy romance with a little angst thrown in on the side.
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Fight for You (Flirting with Forever Book 2) Page 19