Page 29 of Wildly Inappropriate

“It’s amazing how quickly I got set up with someone in Wild Bluffs,” I say. “I really thought it would take much longer for me to find a date.”

“Really? I’m surprised it took so long for some local matchmaker to get her claws in you. Youwantto be set up. You’re like every mama’s dream.”

“That’s an exaggeration. I just have life plans, and getting married and having kids is an important part of mine.”

“You know you give people the ick when you say that, right?”

“I can recognize I don’tneed a manto be happy and successful and still want to be in a loving relationship.”

“Yeah, but…”

“But what? It’s not like I’ve dated complete losers or lowered my standards just to be with someone, have I? No. I just know dating is a numbers game, so if I’m not out there meeting people, how will I ever find my person?”

“Fine. Fine.” Elise holds her hands in front of her in the universal sign for “I give up.”

“As long as you aren’t lowering your standards, I say have as much fun as you want with all the locals.”

“Thank you. That’s the kind of support I’m looking for.”

“Well, I mean, don’t have too much fun with too many of the locals. That shit will get around, and you will not like the impact it has on your reputation.”

“Oh, come on. I’m not planning on sleeping my way through Wild Bluffs.”

“I’m not saying not to do it, I’m just saying make sure they know how to keep it on the DL before you do.”

I nod but don’t reply. Sleeping my way through town sounds like the worst. Though, after that moment with JT last night, I have been looking forward to some male companionship this evening. Why must JT be so good-looking? It’s like being in his presence does something to my senses that causes half of my brain cells to turn to mush. Luckily, I caught myself in time last night. God forbid we add Wild Bluffs to another one of our random hookup locations. Jameson would never forgive me if he found my ass print on one of his bathroom counters. Oh God, Jameson knowing we were hooking up would be completely embarrassing, especially since he still sees me as a child. I mean, he’s paying me to dog sit right now.

“Sooo…How is it going living with JT?” Elise asks after a long pause, clearly guessing where my thoughts have drifted. “Still just avoiding each other like children?”

“Why is giving each other the space we both so clearly want childish?”

“You guys had sex on a counter in Vegas. Not talking to each other when living in rooms that share a wall is immature. Did you all even clear the air about the hookups?”

“It was mentioned.”

“And…”

“We decided not to talk about it and to pretend like it didn’t happen.”

“Wow, really proving me wrong,” Elise says. I know she’s staring at me with a smug smile on her stupid face, but I choose to ignore her and focus on my mascara instead.

“You need to talk to him, Lila. I know you care about him in some dark recess of your heart. I’m not telling you to sleep with him. Just be his friend.”

Ugh. The same thing Jameson told me to do. Why does everyone want us to be friends?

“I’ll think about it, but hey, I’ve got to run if I’m going to make it into town and not be late for my date. Keep your phone on you in case I need a fake emergency call.”

“I’m always happy to be your grandmother’s nurse letting you know she isn’t doing well.”

“Love you. Come visit me soon!”

“Love you too,” she says, and we both hang up.

Chapter fifteen

JT

“JT Johnson, what areyou doing here, man?”

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