Page 32 of A Whole New Trick

“You, stay out of this.”

Carlee bites her lip but fails to hide her smile.

See what I mean? Hopeless romantic.

I shake my head and focus my attention on Dane. “Joshua is just a friend. He’s harmless.”

“He’s a friend who doesn’t respect you’re seeing someone.”

“It’s not like that. Joshua always acts like that. He jokes that he and I will get together, but he knows we are strictly just friends.”

Dane snorts. “So, he openly says he’s interested in you?”

He gives me a look that asks if I’m willingly naïve or just stupid.

I throw my hands up in the air. “I’m telling you, it’s not a big deal.”

“It might not seem like a big deal to you, but I’d rather not have people whispering about how the girl I’m dating is flirting with other guys behind my back.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to remind him none of this is real, but then I remember why Dane is doing this. He wants to improve his image. He doesn’t want to be seen as a player, and I’m not sure being seen as a guy being cheated on is much better.

I let the fight flow out of me and take a deep breath, reminding myself that Dane has the least to gain from our arrangement between us. He’s honestly doing me a huge favor. I can’t blame him for not wanting to look like a fool.

“Okay. Fine. You’re right. I’ll make sure Joshua respects our… relationship.”

“Good.” Dane’s arms fall to his sides, and he shifts his stance. “Well, I guess I should get back.”

He hikes his thumb over his shoulder and gives me a sheepish look that is annoyingly adorable. He’s surprised I gave up the fight so easily.

I offer a wry smile. “Yeah, I guess so.”

He rolls back his shoulders and lifts his chin. Then, in a loud voice, he says, “I’m going to hit a home run for you, babe. I promise.”

I mutter, “You’re ridiculous.”

“I know, but you like me.” He steps forward, and I suck in a breath as he presses his lips to my forehead in a chaste kiss that sends tingles to my toes.

His lips are gone before I can exhale. “See you after the game.”

With a wink, he jogs back to the waiting group. The other athletes jeer at Dane for postponing their scrimmage. He laughs good-naturedly, taking it all in stride.

I stare at the group and try to reason away my body’s reaction to the unexpected kiss. Dane and I had discussed the fact there would be a need for public displays of attention from time to time. Otherwise, our relationship wouldn’t seem legit.

But that kiss had been…sweet.

It didn’t feel strategic.

I feel Carlee’s eyes boring into my face as I watch Dane start warming up with his team, throwing a baseball with twelve-year-old girls from the local softball league.

“What are you staring for?” I grumble, finally tearing my gaze away from the distracting hockey player.

Carlee’s lips twist. “Oh, I think you knowexactlywhat I’m staring for.” She glances meaningfully across the field.

I risk another look and see Dane looking our way. Seeing my attention, he lifts his hand with a bright smile.

Ugh. Why does he have to be so freaking hot and adorable at the same time?

Carlee chuckles under her breath.

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