Page 26 of Only Ever You

I nod. “If there’s anything she can do, I’m sure she’d be happy to. Just as long as it doesn’t interfere with her work.”

“It won’t.” Malloy sucks on her bottom lip. “How are things going with you two?”

Snorting, I shake my head. “They’re not.”

Arching one eyebrow, she leans forward. “Really? I thought you’d be on the way down the aisle by now the way you pounced on her.”

“I didn’t pounce. I’ve been the perfect gentleman.”

Mallory laughs. “I’m sure, but I thought you’d have made a move.”

I pick up a pen and tap it on my desk. “She’s got a boyfriend.”

“No.” Her expression straightens. “I’m so sorry, Deacon.”

I shrug. “I’m still trying to find out about him. I overheard her telling one of the guys about him. It’s serious too.” I stab a piece of paper on my desk with the pen. “What kind of name is Bob anyway?”

Mallory slams her hand over her mouth, but her laugh still echoes around the room.

“What? What did I say?”

She shakes her head. “You know, for a modern man, you’re not always that smart.”

I narrow my eyes at her.

“Clearly, she’s made up an excuse not to go out with this guy. I don’t know why, but she’s giving him the polite brush off instead of just saying no.”

I frown. “Huh?”

“Go to the Urban Dictionary on your computer and look up Bob.”

Giving her the side-eye, I pull the keyboard closer and do what she says. Nothing makes sense. I scroll down through the first couple of definitions before I hit …

“No.”

Mallory laughs. “Yes.”

“Battery operated boyfriend. She’s talking about her vibe?—”

“I’m back.” Pippa waltzes in the door, coffee in one hand and a bunch of bags in another. “They had those savoury muffins you like, so I grabbed a couple. Oh, hey, Mallory.”

“Good morning, Pippa.” Mallory stands and meets my gaze. “I’ll leave you two to it.”

Pippa’s chewing on her bottom lip as she watches Mal walk away. “Uh oh. What did I do?” She places the cup holder on the desk and divides the food up between us.

“Take a seat.”

Her face falls and she hesitates before dropping into the seat recently vacated by Mallory. “What’s going on?” she asks.

“It’s come to my attention …” I know I’m being mean, but I want to see her face when she realises what I’ve been doing. “… I know who Bob is. Or rather what Bob is.”

She snickers.

“Very funny, young lady.”

Pippa bites her bottom lip and looks up at the ceiling. “You worked it out.”

“Why did you make up that story to reject Matthew? You had me going there. I thought I had competition.”

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