Page 7 of Play Book

“No problem at all. We just have to figure out what to do about your date.”

We?!

What is this “we” bullshit?

There is no we.

This is her problem.

Except I’d somehow made it our problem.

Am I having an aneurism or something?

“I could fake an illness,” she says thoughtfully.

“Why not just be straight with him?” I suggest. “Tell him you’re glad you met him, but you’re not really interested in going out with him again, and that you’ve got a ride home. Nothing more, nothing less.”

She frowns but then nods. “I guess you’re right. I just hate hurting anyone’s feelings.”

“Believe me, he’ll be upset for an hour and then he’ll move on with his life.”

“And I could pick up the tab for dinner, so I don’t seem like a jerk.”

I shrug. “I mean, yeah, you could. I wouldn’t, but you’re probably nicer than me.”

“You seem nice enough,” she says.

I wobble my hand from side to side. “Eh. Sometimes. Don’t get used to it, though.”

She laughs again, and the soft, throaty sound makes me want to laugh with her.

What. The. Fuck.

“Okay, so I’m going to go give my credit card to our waiter and then talk to Russell. You’ll wait for me?”

I nod. “Of course. Go do your thing, and I’ll get my car sent around as soon as you’re ready.”

“Thanks, Canyon. You have no idea how much I appreciate this.”

“No problem at all.”

It’s like aliens have taken over my brain—and my mouth—and are making me behave like some kind of Boy Scout.

I watch the sway of her ass as she heads back toward the dining room and realize I’m probably thinking with my little head instead of my big one. Maybe if we spend one night together, I’ll get bored, and go back to normal.

I follow in the direction she went, watching as she hands the waiter her card and then makes her way back to the table. Russell’s face changes as she speaks, and then his shoulders sag. So much so, I almost feel sorry for the guy.

Almost.

He should have known someone like Saylor would be out of his league.

I don’t like to shit on my fellow brethren, because we all do the best we can when it comes to dating, but from what Saylor has told me, he doesn’t do himself any favors with his personality. He had a chance with one of the most beautiful women in the world and blew it—that’s on him.

No one can fault me for stepping in and taking my shot.

I never claimed to be a good guy, and I tend to go after the things I want.

And right now, what I want is Saylor.

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