Page 135 of My Rules

Great in bed, though.

Right. I try to steel myself as we pull into the parking lot of the bowling alley.

“Of all things, why this? I fucking hate bowling.”

Kayla laughs. “This is so off brand for you.”

“Bowling is, I have to agree.”

“No. The whole freaking-out-over-a-woman thing.”

“Right?” I widen my eyes as I pull the car to a stop and put the hand brake on. “I don’t even know why she’s got me so crazy.”

“I do. She’s beautiful.”

“It’s not even her outside that I like ... I mean, that’s good, too, of course.”

“Look at you.” Kayla smiles over at me. “Totally smitten. What I wouldn’t have given to have you fall in love with me a couple of years ago.”

I roll my eyes at her. “Don’t be ridiculous.” She laughs.

I get out of the car and take Kayla’s hand in mine. We walk through the parking lot as a million scenarios of why this is a bad idea run through my mind. My heart is hammering hard in my chest. “If she finds out that I did this on purpose to make her jealous, shit is going to hit the fan,” I whisper as we walk in through the front doors.

“She’s never going to find out,” Kayla whispers as she brushes my shirt. “You look hot tonight, by the way.”

“Thanks. Not as hot as you.” I peck her on the lips as I begin the charade.

“And who knows, if it turns out that she doesn’t like you, then maybe when you drop me home tonight, I can have my payment in dick.” She throws me a sexy wink.

I spot Rebecca across the room, and I smile softly. “Shut up,” I whisper with my eyes locked on my girl. “We are not fucking tonight.”

“Where did you sleep the other night, anyway?” she asks.

“In a hotel.”

“Wow, you are really going balls to the wall with this one.”

“Well, the plan isn’t going to work if she doesn’t believe it, and the good thing is, she did notice that I didn’t come home, so that looks promising.”

“I’m telling you, she’s totally into you. A woman knows these things.”

“If she likes me, then she’ll be jealous of you. If she’s not jealous of you, then I am giving up on this for the last time.”

“Why don’t you just act like a normal person and have a conversation and ask her?”

“Because if she doesn’t like me like that, I’m going to ruin our friendship, and I will not risk that for anything.”

“Surely you know if she likes you or not. You can’t be this stupid?” she whispers as we walk toward Rebecca and Gregory.

“She gives me mixed signals. Some days I’m sure that she does, and other days I’m positive that she doesn’t.”

I smile sweetly over at Kayla, my fake date. “It’s showtime, bitch. Let’s do this.”

Rebecca

Blake and Kayla walk hand in hand over to us. “Hi.” Kayla smiles.

“Hello,” Blake says as he looks between us.

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