Page 123 of Exes and Oh Hell No

I pull her into me. “I’ll show you how fucking beautiful you look tonight.”

Her face flames. “I’m holding you to that.”

I smirk. “As if you had any doubts how this night would end.”

41

HARPER

Allie chugged down four glasses of wine before finishing her entrée.

I watch her, knowing she’s bothered about Mark’s text before dinner.

She called me while I was changing.

I put her on speakerphone and let her scream, knowing she needed to get it out.

But apparently, it’s still festering.

Her phone beeps from inside her purse.

She instantly reaches for it, her lips pursing when she sees Mark’s name on the screen. I don’t get a chance to see his message since she’s already shooting to her feet.

“Excuse me. I need to use the restroom.” Allie speed walks toward the bathroom, practically power strutting in those killer heels.

She barely makes it three steps before Connor’s out of the chair and on her heels.

He materializes beside her like he’s been there the whole time, his hand resting lazily in his pocket, a smirk curving his lips. “Bathroom break? I’ll keep you company.”

Her head snaps toward him, eyes flashing. “Are you kidding me?”

“Never, baby.” He winks. “I take my chaperone duties very seriously.”

I hear Allie sputter as she stomps off, Connor hot on her heels.

I exchange a look with Ford. “She never had a chance.”

Ford smirks. “She never did.” He wiggles his brows. “Just like you didn’t.”

Ignoring what he just said, a sigh falls from my lips. “I just… worry about her.”

I relay the conversation Allie and I had before we left my parents’ house. “I’m afraid Mark’s going to hurt her.”

I lower my voice, my eyes darting around, ensuring Allie isn’t around. “I don’t trust him. He’s gone a lot, and plenty of times he said he’d call or text her but didn’t. She waits diligently by her phone… it’s heartbreaking.”

Ford squeezes my thigh. “Connor will pick up the pieces if he does. He may be many things—and I have an extensive list ofallhis negative traits,” he flashes me a smile. “But he’s also extremely loyal. That’s one of his top traits. And that man goes all in on everything he sets his sights on.”

He takes a drink.

“He’s genuine in everything he does. Scratch beneath his goofball surface, and the man has a heart of pure gold.”

I blink, shocked by his words. “Wait, we’re talking about the same Connor, right?”

“I’ve literally seen him give his shoes to a kid at the community center,” Ford says. “It was freezing, and the kid had a pair of really old, worn shoes. Connor asked the kid what size he wore. He immediately took them off and gave them to the boy.”

Respect shines in Ford’s eyes.

“Now you’re making me really like the big menace.” I blink back the tears, my heart squeezing in my chest.

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