Page 67 of The Very Naughty List

HAILEY: Also, this isn’t on the naughty list, and I can’t even pretend that it is… but there’s a Christmas ball tonight, and I would love it if you guys would come with me.

A Christmas ball? The only one I know of in Chestnut Hill is thrown by Dylan Montgomery’s family. I grunt to myself, grimacing at the thought of going to an event that arrogant prick and his family are throwing. I’m honestly surprised that Hailey would even consider attending.

I start to type out a message, but before I can finish, another text comes through. My brother apparently read my mind, because it’s the exact question I was about to ask.

NICK: You mean the annual Christmas ball that Dylan’s folks put on?

HAILEY: Yeah, that one. I’d understand if you guys didn’t want to come. It’s not exactly one of my top ten favorite things to do either.

REID: Then why go? You have nothing to prove to anyone, trouble.

There’s a long moment where she doesn’t answer, and I keep my phone in my hand, gazing down at the screen. What could she be thinking? I know for a fact that she doesn’t want to seethat prick again—especially not at some fancy event that his rich parents are throwing, with her ex-best friend wrapped around his arm.

It doesn’t make sense that Hailey would put herself in that position.

But after a moment or two, I find out why.

HAILEY: My family is having some issues with the Montgomerys and their lease on the diner. We’re all trying not to piss off his family and make things worse, so I pretty much have to go. I’ve already promised my parents I’ll try to play nice.

Dammit. I get what she’s thinking now, but I hate the fact that Hailey feels like she has to do something she doesn’t want to. Showing up to an event like that and having to act polite to her shitbag ex sounds awful.

The least we can do is make sure she’s not alone.

ME: I’m in.

HAILEY: Really?

ME: Yup, really. Can’t let you have all the fun.

NICK: I’ll go too.

REID: Looks like it’s a party. Can’t wait.

HAILEY: Thanks guys. It really means a lot to me that you’re all coming.

I hesitate, staring down at the screen, then tap out one last message.

ME: We’ve got you, shortcake. Always.

“Fuck. Dammit.”

Standing in front of the mirror in my room, I mutter a few curses as my fingers fumble with the fancy buttons on the cuffsof my shirt. I still can’t believe I’m going to a damn Christmas ball, of all things. I think I’d rather stick my head in a vise clamp on my workbench back at the garage.

I grumble under my breath about having to get dressed up and go somewhere so far out of my comfort zone. I’m a mechanic, after all, not a goddamn prince.

But then something in the mirror catches my eye, and I turn around to see Hailey standing in the open doorway of my bedroom. She looks like an ethereal vision—literally agoddesswrapped in a gold dress that hugs her body like a second skin.

She’s fucking stunning.

I cross the room to her, wrapping my hand around her throat without saying a single word. Her pulse flutters against my palm as I drop my head to slant my lips against hers, and heat sparks between us as I kiss her hungrily.

When our lips break apart, I don’t release my grip on her throat right away. She lets out a breath, looking up at me with those wide eyes that send an electrical surge through my entire body. Her chest is rising and falling faster, her pupils dilated.

“Wow. I should’ve had this on my list,” she breathes. She swallows, and I can feel the movement against my palm. “A guy holding my throat like this.”

“Do you like it?”

She nods, dragging her plush lower lip between her teeth.

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