Page 21 of Bidding War

Somehow, that makes me feel better. I sit back down next to Neil. “Didn’t want to make it uncomfortable for you by talking about him.”

He smiles kindly. “I’m guessing he messed you up pretty good, huh?”

“Yeah. It’s a whole thing. I don’t want to get into it if that’s okay.”

“Of course. Whatever you like. And thanks for staying. Boston is a tough town. I haven’t met a lot of good people yet.”

I chuckle. “We are not exactly known for our friendliness. It’s more like once you crack into a Bostonian’s hard outer shell, you’ll have a friend for life. You have to do the shell cracking first.”

“So … you’re like your oysters?”

“Something like that.”

He gets a funny look in his eyes. “Can I see your phone?”

“Uh, sure. I guess.” I pass it to him.

He fiddles with something and then hands it back. “There. Now you have my number. I know you’re dealing with whatever with your ex, but if you ever feel like you need your shell cracked, text me.”

Oh my god, he is impossibly cute. “I’ll consider it.” Maybe I should give the kissing another try. He was quite good, and I need to kiss one guy for every week I was with Anderson. I heard that’s the ratio. But I don’t know when to count our weeks together. From the auction? From when I pretended to be his fiancée? It’s been a while, but not that long. Let’s call it eight weeks. So, I need to kiss eight guys.

I think I’ll start with Neil.

“You mentioned everyone has their ex drama. Do you want to share yours?”

He sighs, and I hate that I made his smile fade. “My ex drama is exactly that. Drama. She loved it, and I can’t stand it. I like things to be simple. Straight-forward. Opal did not. She liked to complain about everything, and if there was nothing to complain about, she made stuff up. It got old fast. When I left Nebraska, I cut off all contact with her. I don’t need that in my life, you know?”

I nod. “That sounds exhausting.”

“What about you? What’s your ex’s drama?”

Ha, ha, ha, no. How to clean this up so I don’t overshare … ? “The usual stuff, I think. He has an overbearing, manipulative father who is way too involved in his life. He tries to control him, and it became too much for me to deal with.”

He winces. “That’s rough. When families overstep, you never know when to say something, or if that will make things worse between you … it’s awkward.”

I wish it were only a matter of awkwardness. “Yeah, so how are you liking Boston?”

When he smiles, I fight a shiver. He’s so freaking hot. Way out of my league, yet he’s here with me. He murmurs, “I’m liking it more and more by the minute.”

“Neil?”

“June.”

“Any chance we can try that kiss again? I want a do-over.”

His eyes dip to my mouth again before meeting my gaze. “I’m a big believer in second chances.”

“Good.” This time, I kiss him. It’s still strange like my body keeps telling me I’m kissing the wrong man. But it’s also the kind most people crave their entire lives. I should want this. I should want him. Technically, I have seven more guys to kiss before I’m over Anderson. But for now, practicing with Neil is a good start.

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12

ANDERSON

Nothing kills time like working with Moss. It’s been a few weeks since June unceremoniously dumped me, and I’ve put my plan into action. I am being the best son I can be, which includes ride-alongs with Moss. The good news is I’ve been able to form some sort of bond with the incredibly dangerous man. I’m pretty sure he would protect me against most foes.

The bad news is that he is completely my father’s pet beast. There is no getting between them and no making Moss slip up. He won’t tell me anything Dad has not allowed. Still, though, spending time with him isn’t all bad. We have a good working relationship.

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