Page 10 of Home to Me

When Lauren affirmed her identity as 'the real estate lady,' she was told to wait there, and the woman hurried off before Lauren could even provide her grudging agreement.

As she was waiting, Karina sauntered up with a wicked grin and a sparkle in her eye. “Hey, Laur. So what did Host Boy whisper in your ear that got your panties in such a bunch?”

Lauren crinkled her brow. She seriously did not want to get into this with the girls, certainly not in her current state of exhaustion, and certainly not in the middle of Sue Ann's Café with television production personnel still buzzing all around the place.

“Nothing, Kar. Honestly.”

“Tell me,” Karina insisted, her wicked smile not losing any of its wattage.

Lauren sighed. “Not here. We'll talk later.”

“Nope. Tell me,” Karina continued to tease.

“Tell you what?” Sam and Amanda asked in concert as they walked over and joined the conversation.

Lauren groaned and began to rub her temples.

“Oh, what exactly Hottie Host Man whispered in her ear during the first take that got her cheeks burning like they were on fire.”

“Oh, yes, you absolutely have to tell us that,” said Amanda matter-of-factly, turning towards Lauren.

“For sure. Not even a question,” confirmed Sam.

Lauren took a deep breath, trying to keep her face neutral even though she could feel her cheeks start to burn again, and even though she could feel her hands begin to tremble when she remembered the words he said and how his breath felt against her neck.

Maybe she should tell her friends what he said. Then his asshole-ness would be revealed for what it was. Her friends would no doubt be more than happy to point that out. If she heard them calling him what he was, then maybe she could stop this crazy reaction she was having to him.

Shaking her head slightly, she leaned in, lowering her voice to a frustrated whisper. “If you must know, he asked if I'd ever thought about removing the stick from my ass and loosening up.”

Karina burst out laughing, and all three of the other girls smacked her arm.

“What?” Karina asked, her merriment not dimmed in the least. “It's not like I agree with him. I just like his style is all.”

Amanda frowned. “Well, I think he's a jerk now. I really liked him at dinner, too. He seemed so friendly and approachable. But he had no right to talk to you that way!”

“Thank you. I appreciate that,” Lauren said, glad for the affirmation.

Sam shrugged. “I don't know, I can see both sides. Yes, of course, it's super jerky to say that. But by the same token, maybe he meant it to be funny and we just don't get his sense of humor? Also, it might be a guy thing. They're a lot less sensitive about remarks like that than we are.”

Karina brightened even further. “Brilliant, Sam. I agree with you. Let's bring the guys over and get their opinion.”

Lauren began to protest, “I really don't think she meant—”

But it was too late. Karina was already gesturing for Justin, Ryan, and Luke to come over. When they did, Karina told them the story. Her retelling was a little too gleeful for Lauren's liking but nonetheless accurate. When she was done, they all started laughing.

Amanda's jaw dropped. “So you all think that's funny? Not even one of you thinks that's unforgivably rude?”

The three guys looked at each other and then back at the girls, shaking their heads.

“Nah,” Justin said, wrapping his arms around his irate fiancée. “You gotta realize, babe. Not all guys are as classy and as sensitive as I am.”

This made the group laugh again, and Amanda began to soften, looking up at Justin. “I know you're joking,” she said affectionately, “but you really are classy and sensitive.”

They kissed lovingly, bringing an unexpected pang to Lauren's heart. She shook her head. Nope. She couldn't give in to her lonely impulses. Dwelling on her loneliness, letting it make her vulnerable—that's how she found herself entangled with a charming bastard, a.k.a. her ex-boss, and Lauren had had enough of those to last a lifetime.

The woman from production approached the group.

“Thanks for waiting,” she said pleasantly but briskly. “Here's the deal. The producers love the town. It seems from another time, heart of America, that kind of thing. They've extended the shoot to two weeks to expand and get footage from local businesses like here in the café, the outdoor adventure and ski resort, and some of the other downtown businesses. Maybe that cute ice cream parlor, Two Scoops.

---