Page 28 of Lime Tree Hill

Ruby:How did your dinner date go? Is he open to a counteroffer?

Tayla:‘I don’t do counteroffers, babycakes.’

Ruby:He called youbabycakes? No way!

Tayla:Yep!!! And he kept staring at me like I was a piece of meat while he twisted his wedding band. The guy’s a dick.

Ruby:Did you tell him to go f@*k himself?

Tayla:Almost. And he plans to take a match to the house so he can plant more trees. Imagine what Mum and Dad would say. They’d be devastated.

Ruby:The bastard!So what’s our next step?

Tayla:*Sigh* Persuade Mitch Harrington to marry me.

Ruby:Are you sure?

Tayla:No. He called me a prissy stuck-up snob.

Ruby:What is it with these men and their name-calling? Surely you wouldn’t give him the time of day after that?

Tayla:Fortune favors the brave.

Ruby:Chin up @prissybabycakes. You’ve got this.

Tayla:I need a pretty dress. If I have to do this, I want to do it in style. Do you know any amazing dressmakers?

Ruby:Yes!!! I’ll be in touch.

13

THE TERMS

With the saledate looming and Chris Stone’s backup offer in the mix, Mitch wanted Tayla’s decision. Not that he blamed her for running hot and cold. That same sharp temperature change hit him every time he thought of the marriage. It was one thing to manipulate Norman’s wishes but another to feel comfortable about it. He picked up his phone, pushing those thoughts aside as he typed his message.

Mitch:Can we meet for lunch? The Spinnaker Cafe @ 12:30?

Tayla:Is that absolutely necessary?

Mitch:Yes. But hey, your call.

Mitch:And do me a favor. Ditch the attitude. I’m trying to enjoy my day here.

He admonished himself as he waited for her reply. There was no need to be rude. He imagined her at work, torturing her patients with those sexy hands of hers. Ever since she’d suggested looking at his knee, he couldn’t help wondering how good her massage technique might be. Maybe one day he’d find out.

Tayla:Fine. See you then.

When Mitch parked outside the café at the agreed time, Tayla was already seated, sipping a coffee and looking gorgeous. Her sunglasses firmly in place, she watched him mount the steps.

As they made small talk and perused the menu, the term ‘out of your league’ slammed into his thoughts. He wondered if she was about to change her mind again. If she did, was there any point trying to convince her when he wasn’t convinced himself?

He waited until the server took their order before asking, “So, what’s the verdict?”

“I have terms.”

Mitch leaned forward, his gaze drifting to the outline of her lacy bra underneath her blouse.Get a grip. He liked a girl with terms. It showed strength of character. “Of course you do.”

“Okay. That’s number one. Don’t try to marginalize me for having an opinion.”

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