by MK Schiller
“Three layers?” Kyle asked incredulously. “You’re not a cake, for God’s sake. One layer, Lanie.”
“What can I do for you, Kyle?” Her voice softened to a sultry whisper. “Or did you just call to ask me what I’m wearing?”
“Oh, are you flirting with me, Miss Lanie?” he asked playfully.
“Maybe. Is it working?”
He sighed heavily. “No, because I’m picturing you in three huge layers of clothes.”
“Guess I’ll keep practicing.”
“Yeah, that’s why I’m calling. I’m curious. What did you tell Brad about our date the other night?”
“I actually didn’t talk very much about it. I just told him I had a good time.”
“Good. That’s similar to what I said. When is he coming over to your apartment again?”
“He comes over most nights. He spends the night a lot.” Lanie cringed at the thought. It was the thing she hated most about having Cassie live with her. She loved Brad, and it was torture having to see him with her sister every night, especially since Cassie had no aversion to mauling the man right in front of her. “I’m cooking him dinner tonight.”
“You’re cooking him dinner?” Kyle asked in almost an accusatory voice.
“Well, actually Cassie is, but she just makes a huge mess, so I usually take over. If I don’t, I fear the health inspector might close our kitchen.”
“I think I should come over too.”
Lanie felt her heart stammer a bit at his assertiveness, but she dismissed it. He was just trying to be nice. The butterflies in her stomach were only because they were talking about Brad, not because of Kyle’s sexy voice. “Why?”
“One way to get Brad’s attention is to make him think you’re taken. If he thinks you’re with me, all of his good-natured concern will be on alert.”
She paused, taking a long swig of her water. What was Kyle suggesting? “What do you mean?”
“Brad knows I’m not the ideal guy when it comes to treating a girl properly, and he’s right about that. He’ll feel a need to protect you from me.”
“That sounds calculating.”
“It will just make you more desirable in his eyes. What time should I be there?”
She’d already let him off the hook…why was he still trying to help her? “Kyle, you don’t have to do any more with this. You’ve done enough.”
“Lanie, I’m a hard worker too, and I want to see it through.”
“So you think Brad will fall in love with me?”
He chuckled cynically. “I doubt it, but I think you have no chance at all without my help.”
He was right. She was inept in every way. She had no girlfriends, really no friends at all to help her with this. Kyle wasn’t just Brad’s friend, but he was shrewd and honest. Blatantly honest, but that’s why Lanie liked him. She didn’t appreciate any insincere bullshit, and she didn’t have time for it either.
“See you at six. Don’t be late.” Maybe Kyle Manchester was no hero, but he was capable of being a friend, and that was something Lanie sorely needed.
Chapter Six
Kyle had no idea why he suggested coming to dinner. He chalked it up to his curiosity. He was interested in how Lanie interacted with Brad. Once Kyle’s curiosity was piqued, he was a man on a mission. He’d always been inquisitive, even as a young child. That’s why he became a journalist. Lanie had definitely made his natural snooping side come out, and he wondered what kind of dynamic he’d find at the dinner table. It had to be difficult to socialize with her sister and the man she loved. One who didn’t love her back.
He felt sorry for Lanie, but he had no idea why. She was the kind of girl he did everything to avoid. She was mousy but arrogant about some things, like her work. She didn’t care about her appearance, to the point where she accepted she was unattractive. She had low self-esteem but confidence too. An air of sorrow surrounded her, but she had a great sense of humor despite that. She was a total paradox, a puzzle that Kyle wanted to solve or at least understand.
All of Kyle’s suspicions were confirmed when he laid his eyes on Cassie. Lanie’s sister was her complete opposite. Cassie was a conceited blonde bombshell with huge breasts and a small waist. She played up all her features perfectly, as evidenced by the short leather miniskirt, camisole top, and studded cowboy boots. Next to Cassie, Lanie looked even more out of place.
“Kyle, I’m so glad you could come to our little place. I hope you like chicken. It should be ready in just a few minutes, right, Lanie?” Cassie shamelessly batted her eyelashes at Kyle. This girl knew how to flirt. Lanie should be asking her for advice. Then again, besides the “in love with Brad” thing, Kyle knew why Lanie couldn’t. It took less than five seconds to deduce that Cassie was a complete bitch. She wasn’t the kind of girl who helped other girls. She had to be the prettiest one in the room at all times. She couldn’t move without flipping her hair or brushing against Brad’s arm.
“Yes, just a couple of minutes more,” Lanie said from the kitchen.
Kyle looked around their apartment. It was obvious Lanie had decorated it. Everything was tastefully done but extremely bland. It was all neutral, to the point where it was difficult to distinguish the sofa from the walls. Kyle wondered if Lanie was color-blind.
“I brought wine,” he said, handing the bottle to Cassie.
“That’s so sweet of you, and it’s my favorite,” Cassie replied without looking at the bottle. She rubbed Kyle’s arm before sauntering into the kitchen. Normally Cassie would be the exact girl he would pick up at any bar, but this was just weird. She was coming on to him right in front of her boyfriend, and as usual, Brad was oblivious to it. Lanie and Brad both seemed unobservant when it came to life but had sharklike accuracy at work. Maybe they would be good for each other.
“I’m surprised to see you here,” Brad said when the two men were alone.
Kyle shrugged nonchalantly. “Lanie and I are dating.” Kyle had to stifle a laugh when he saw the startled look on Brad’s face.
“I didn’t expect you to date her. I just wanted you to take her out for a night.”
“I like her.” As Kyle said it, he realized it was true. Despite the odd circumstances, Lanie was a genuine person, and he enjoyed her company. He still thought she was an oddball, but who was he to judge? After all, he was a bit odd himself.
“Don’t fuck with her,” Brad responded, trying to sound tough. It only made Kyle laugh.
“Just to be clear, you don’t want me to fuck with her or fuck her? There’s a subtle nuance in the statement.” Kyle enjoyed toying with his friend. Brad didn’t show the emotion of a man who returned any of Lanie’s affections, but he usually played the Good Samaritan role well.
“Either one, asshole,” Brad warned, standing up to help Cassie with the platter of chicken.
During dinner, Kyle ate quietly, surveying the dynamic. Cassie went on about her job at a cosmetics store. He was bored as hell, and if she talked about the difference between matte and gloss one more time, Kyle thought he might choke her. Lanie was very quiet, and Brad just kept encouraging Cassie to continue her tirade about blush manufacturers. He had suffered through many a mundane conversation as a means to get laid at the end of the night. There was no reward in this.
“This is very good,” Brad said, taking a second helping of chicken.
“Thanks, Brad. I worked hard on it,” Cassie responded. Kyle looked at Lanie, but she just smiled and nodded. It was a genuine smile too, without any animosity.
“I thought Lanie made dinner,” Kyle interjected. Lanie gave him an admonishing glance, but he ignored it.
Cassie pouted like she was about to throw a temper tantrum but recovered quickly, flashing a bright smile. “Lanie helped, of course. She also picked the dessert, which I’m sorry to say isn’t healthy.”
“What’s for dessert, Lanie?” Kyle asked.
“Hot fudge sundaes,” Lanie answered without looking up from her plate.
“That s
ounds good,” Brad said, and Kyle nodded.
“It’s horribly fattening, and I’m going to pass. I wish Lanie would eat healthier. She might have a decent body if she ever took any of my advice.”
Kyle almost dropped his fork. He had hoped his first impression was wrong. He knew Cassie was self-absorbed, but this was just bitchy. He had known many mean girls, but Cassie didn’t even try to hide behind a veil of decency.
“I think Lanie has a great body.” Kyle wondered why he lied, but he enjoyed the natural blush it produced on Lanie’s face and the frown it made on Cassie’s. Actually, Kyle had no idea if Lanie had a great body. She wore so many clothes that it was impossible to tell what was underneath it all. Today she wore a vest and blazer with baggy, manly trousers, but at least her hair was down.
“Kyle, I think you’re making her feel uncomfortable,” Brad said softly. Kyle wanted to punch Brad for correcting him. Cassie’s making Lanie feel uncomfortable and so are you, you big idiot.
Instead, he simply said, “Sorry, but it’s true.”
“Sure, she’s thin, but she should work out more. I work out like two hours a day,” Cassie replied as if Lanie weren’t in the room.
Kyle waited for Lanie to reply, but she didn’t. Brad didn’t either, and it just seemed cruel in a way. Kyle didn’t care about Lanie deeply, but right now it felt as if no one else did either. She needed someone to fight for her. He had to step in, just like he would if a dog was being abused on the streets or a kid ran in front of a moving vehicle.
“Lanie has an important job that keeps her pretty busy. She doesn’t work at a makeup counter doling out advice about the right shade of lipstick.”
Cassie’s mouth opened and Brad went to say something, but Lanie interrupted them both. “Cassie’s job is important. She makes women feel good about themselves, and that’s no easy task.”
Great, Kyle thought bitterly, she finally speaks and instead of yelling at her sister, she’s chastising me.
“Right, baby, you sure do,” Brad chimed in.
Kyle fought not to roll his eyes at the whole crazy situation. He felt like he had entered the twilight zone.
“Sure, it’s important. It’s the cornerstone to world peace,” Kyle muttered under his breath. Thankfully no one heard him over Cassie’s whimper. Was she actually crying?
Brad held her hand, cooing reassurances about how important her job was while giving Kyle the evil eye. Kyle was dumbfounded. He just stared at Lanie, who was doing everything to avoid meeting his gaze.
At that moment, Kyle made a decision. He was going to do whatever it took to help her. Sure, Brad probably wouldn’t consider her girlfriend material in a million years. She was too plain and unfeminine, but she was a nice girl. Kyle’s support might give Lanie the self-confidence she so sorely lacked. Besides, Kyle didn’t like the idea of Brad being saddled with Lanie’s vicious sister, who seemed to be a modern-day succubus. Really, he was doing a public service.
After dinner, Lanie cleared the dishes. Despite her arguments, Kyle insisted on helping, especially since no one else was volunteering. “What the hell is up with your crazy sister?” Kyle asked as they were rinsing dishes.
“Shh, you’ve upset her enough, Kyle,” Lanie replied, scrubbing a clean plate so furiously Kyle was afraid it would break. Uh-oh, passive aggressive, Kyle thought. Who was she angry with? Cassie or him?
“I’ll drop it, but guess what?”
“What?”
“I’m going to help you in every way I can,” Kyle responded, gently easing the plate out of hands.
“You’ve done more than enough. I don’t think there is anything else you can do. I’m going to follow your advice and then we’ll see. Time will be the judge.”
“That’s bullshit. You know what time does? It just makes things stale. That’s the last thing you want.”
“Kyle, my whole idea was stupid from the onset. You were right; it was psychotic, and I’m ready to forget the whole thing.”
He clasped her hands and squeezed firmly. Her hands were delicate and small under his much larger ones. He briefly thought that maybe her hands were her best feature. He stared at her until she met his gaze.
“What did you tell me your job was?”
“What do you mean?”
“Lanie, what is your job?”
She tried to look away, but he tilted her chin with his finger until she faced him. Her whisper was almost inaudible. “Winning.”
“That’s right, baby.” He hadn’t mean to say that. He didn’t even call girls he dated anything other than sexy, but she didn’t seem to notice. “I’m good at winning too, so I’m going to do everything I can. Do you understand?”
She nodded hesitantly, but Kyle could hear her sigh of relief when he released her.
“I don’t understand how you’re going to do that.”
“Simple. We’re not going to worry about pleasing Brad. We’re just going to make you more desirable.”
“With the makeover?”
“No, by making you unavailable.” She shot him a questioning look, narrowing her eyes. “We’re going to carry through this charade that we’re dating, and I’m talking full blown here. I’m going to come over every time Brad’s here. We will play the contented, lovesick couple. Got it?”
“That sounds ridiculous.”
“Does it? When you’re in a negotiation, what’s the one thing that always tips the scale in your favor?”
“Another offer,” she answered immediately.
“Exactly. You’re looking at your other offer. Brad will be too.”
“I don’t know about this,” Lanie replied, chewing her lower lip.
“Trust me, it’s a male ego thing. The more unavailable you are, the more desirable you become. In order for this to work, though, you need to listen to everything I say. Just call me Professor Higgins, Eliza,” Kyle said with a wicked grin.
Lanie gave him a genuine laugh. The sound was almost melodic to Kyle. “My Fair Lady is one of my favorite movies, but I’m no Audrey Hepburn.”
“No,” Kyle said grimly, “you’re more like Katherine Hepburn, but we’ll work on it. Are you onboard?”
Lanie looked down at her hands and back up to him. Her worried expression broke out into a beautiful smile. “Yes, Professor.”
Chapter Seven
Kyle adjusted his favorite silver tie with the diamond pattern in the vanity mirror of his car. He was waiting for Lanie, so they could start their double date with Brad and Cassie. Date? The thought of dating her was so strange. He wondered what his friends or previous lovers would think of them together. They would laugh their asses off and think Kyle was playing a practical joke. It would be difficult to persuade people they were a couple, but Kyle was willing to give it the old college try.
He smoothed down his hair and wondered how Lanie would be dressed. The thought only depressed him. She was totally lost when it came to clothes. She might as well wear a bedsheet. His cock suddenly stirred at the idea of Lanie in nothing but a bedsheet. I need to get laid, he thought to himself, shaking his head.
The other thought that plagued him was the good-bye kiss from the other night. Kyle had tried to make a show in front of Brad and Cassie by giving her a sweeping kiss, and she’d backed away from him. No girl had ever rejected his kiss. He was the one who rejected kisses and tried to keep girls at arm’s length. The rebuff, especially from this mousy girl, stung a little. He would have to talk to her about that tonight. It was hard enough to portray a couple without her making it seem completely unrealistic by rejecting him. They needed a few shows of public affection to pull off the desired effect. Kyle wasn’t looking forward to it, but he had committed and, like he promised Lanie, would see it through.
Kyle’s jaw dropped when Lanie stepped out of a silver convertible. He’d never seen Lanie’s car, since she always left before him. Kyle jumped out of his SUV to survey it more closely.
“This is what you drive?” he asked in disbelief.
/> “Why are you so surprised?” she asked, smiling boldly.
“It’s just so…different than what I thought you’d choose.” Lanie seemed like the kind of girl who drove a sensible, fuel-efficient midsize sedan.
She shrugged. “I like fast cars.”
Kyle walked around the vehicle, appreciating the artistic lines of its fine craftsmanship. It wasn’t an automatic either. He had never met a girl who could drive stick shift.
“Can I take it for a spin?” he asked, trying not to drool.
“No,” she replied without hesitation. “I don’t let anyone drive my car. I don’t even park in valet.” Kyle was perplexed. Just when he thought he had this weird girl figured out, she threw him for a loop.
“I’m a good driver. I can drive a stick.”
“I’m sure you are, Kyle, but I don’t like anyone driving my baby but me.” Lanie spoke about her car the way a man would. Kyle wondered how much she really knew.
“Three-liter engine?”
“Yeah, right. Try five. I like horsepower,” Lanie answered smugly.
“Pulling power?”
“You mean torque? Three-ninety grunt, but this car isn’t just all torque and no action, Kyle. It’s a V-8. I’m talking eyeballs in the back of your head. It rotates on a dime and shifts like butter too.”
Kyle whistled, impressed by the girl’s knowledge as much as the car.
He took her arm and led her into the restaurant. He grimaced, forgetting his fixation with her car when he looked down at her clothes. “What the hell are you wearing?”
She glanced down. “It’s a sweater dress,” she answered as if it was obvious. The black knit dress did indeed look like a never-ending sweater. God, she was wearing those shoes again. Didn’t he tell her to get rid of those?
“It looks like a burka,” Kyle muttered.
“Well, I haven’t had time to shop yet, Mr. Fashion Plate,” she said dryly, “but I did have my surgery, see?”
He stared at Lanie’s eyes. He had been too busy looking at her hideous outfit and gorgeous ride to notice them. Now that he saw them, it was difficult to look away. Even in the dim light, he could see she had mesmerizing eyes. They were hazel but completely unique, with a fluctuating color that transitioned somewhere between the earthy forest floor and bright golden stars. Kyle was lost in them. Her eyes were definitely her best feature.