Page 44 of Against The Rules

“What?” he asks, his voice low and dangerous.

“I said, that’s enough.” I step closer, not giving one shit that Jacob is at least twice my size. I have heels on, goddammit! I’m too close now, though, and I have to crane my neck up to look him in the eye.

Intimidating? Me? I waver slightly.

“Peaches,” Tyler says, and the plea in his voice when he says that stupid pet name just gets me all fired up again.

“Don’t talk to him like that. Don’t talk to either of us like that.” I poke Jacob’s chest, then realize I’ve gone little too far. “Tyler is a great guy, and you’re too busy being a turd to him so you can keep your parents’ attention off yourself.”

I hadn’t even realized that was what he was doing at breakfast until I said it out loud.

“And for the record, I meant every word I said about breakfast. It was delicious, and I don’t appreciate you calling me a liar.”

“You know,” Jacob says, a hint of a smile around his lips, “I don’t think anyone has ever given me a compliment in such a threatening tone of voice. Especially not someone who looks like a Barbie.”

“Are we done?” I ask, because I’m not really sure where to go from here conversationally but I’m still too pissed to back all the way off. A great combination. Wonderful.

Brilliant.

“No,” Jacob says, but now he’s really smiling. “I like her,” he tells Tyler.

I huff, stamping my foot.

“I told you you would.”

“You’re not just using my brother for his money?”

“Of course I am,” I say, narrowing my eyes. Shit, that wasn’t quite the right thing to say. “But he’s also my friend. Friends don’t let friends get yelled at.”

“Uh-huh,” Jacob says, scratching his beard and glancing between us. “Sure. A friend.”

“That’s right.” I glare at him for good measure, my hands on my hips.

“Listen, Savannah, just don’t break his heart.”

“People’s hearts don’t get broken in business arrangements,” I say haughtily. Something tightens deep in my chest.

“Alright, are you done now, Jacob?” Tyler’s hand wraps around my waist, and I slide my hand over it. Partners in lies.

“Yeah, I guess so.” Jacob holds out a hand, and I stare at it suspiciously. “Truce?”

I take it, still giving him the evilest eye I can imagine, which just makes him laugh.

“For now,” I say, tilting my head.

“Come on,” he says, dropping my head and giving me a smile that makes him look way less severe. “Let’s get this tour over with.”

“Do you two swim a lot?” I ask, curious about the pool. It’s so formal and out of character with what I know of Ty.

“Not really. Do you like to swim?” Tyler’s hand tightens on my waist, and my heart flutters, just a little.

I swallow hard. Friends.

“I love to swim, but I haven’t had much of a chance in the past few years.” I pat my low chignon. “Plus, it wreaks havoc on my hair, and I’m pretty sure green isn’t an approved color for a Beaver cheerleader.”

“You should bring your swimsuit next time,” Tyler says, and a bolt of excitement goes through me. “We could swim, maybe cook out, you know, try a barbecue recipe for the cook-off?”

“You are so not going to win the cook-off,” Jacob says, leading us down a path of heavy-limbed trees.

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