Leaning Into Series: The Complete Box Set
Page 133
“Clay is the last guy you want to involved with. He’s a shark. He’s the kind of guy who’ll take naked photos of you sleeping and post them on the internet. For a guy who’s almost famous…I’m going to assume that isn’t a risk you’d want to take.”
I narrowed my eyes so hard my forehead hurt. “Thanks for looking out for me, but—”
“You’re welcome.” He clicked his bottle against mine and stepped aside.
I grabbed his wrist before he got anywhere. And I somehow managed to ignore the insta-bolt of awareness that gripped me out of the blue.
“I was being facetious. I appreciate the warning, but you don’t know anything about me. As in nothing at all. So, kindly fuck off.”
He set his beer on the counter then held his hands up in surrender. “Fair enough. You can’t say you weren’t warned.”
I shot a nasty look his way. “Whatever.”
Sean chuckled. “Hey, I’ve been at least three guys I wished someone had warned me about. One stole a thousand bucks in cash from me, another poisoned my son’s goldfish, and—”
“Who would poison a goldfish? And how would you know anyway? There’s no such thing as a goldfish autopsy. Is there?”
He grinned. “I don’t know much about fish autopsies, but the container of mice food next to the bowl with Skittles floating the top was a good indication.”
“Wow. I’m disturbed. I can’t picture a fish eating a Skittle.”
“No, that was the goldfish’s name. Sir Skittles.”
I busted up laughing. “That’s a genius name…and totally wasted on a goldfish.”
“I agree. I tried to talk him out of it, but Parker was seven at the time. He couldn’t be swayed with ordinary names like…”
“Like what…Goldy?” I prodded.
“Exactly!”
“So what’s the story?” I asked unthinking. “Who would commit pesca-cide on a kid’s defenseless fish?”
“A jealous lover.”
“Hmm. You spent a little too much time staring at that goldfish, eh?”
“As one does,” he quipped.
I sipped my beer and found myself smiling for no apparent reason. As one does indeed.
“I hope you consoled your son with a proper pet. Goldfish are lame.”
“True. You’ll be happy to know we got a dog last year.”
“I’m not going to be happy if you tell me you named it something ridiculous like Rover or Spike.”
Sean scoffed. “Oh please. His name is Richard. We call him Dick.”
I threw my head back and laughed. “No way.”
He joined in. “I’m kidding. Her name is Tallulah.”
“Oh, I like that.”
We shared a smile that went on a beat longer than necessary. I reminded myself I didn’t like him, but I suddenly couldn’t remember why.
About the Author
Lane Hayes loves a good romance! An avid reader from an early age, she has always been drawn to well-told love story with beautifully written characters. Her debut novel was a 2013 Rainbow Award finalist and subsequent books have received Honorable Mentions, and were winners in the 2016, 2017, and 2018-2019 Rainbow Awards. She loves red wine, chocolate and travel (in no particular order). Lane lives in Southern California with her amazing husband in a not quite empty nest.
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Also by Lane Hayes
Starting From Zero
Starting From Scratch
Starting From Here
Starting From Somewhere
Starting From the Top - Coming Winter 2021
Out in the Deep
Out in the End Zone
Out in the Offense
Out in the Field
Out on the Ice
Out in Spring
Out on the Serve
Out in Winter - Coming January 2021
Stick to the Script (Ace’s Wild Series #13)
Leaning Into Love
Leaning Into Always
Leaning Into the Fall
Leaning Into a Wish
Leaning Into Touch
Leaning Into the Look
Leaning Into Forever
Better Than Good
Better Than Chance
Better Than Friends
Better Than Safe
Better Than Beginnings (A Matt & Aaron Short Story Collection)
A Kind of Truth
A Kind of Romance
A Kind of Honesty
A Kind of Home
The Right Words
The Wrong Man
The Right Time
A Way with Words
A Way with You