Page 45 of Never Kiss and Tell

I roll my eyes. “Yeah, whatever you say,Casanova.”

A determined look settles in Charlie’s eye and he steps forward to a group of girls walking in front of us. I can’t hear what he’s saying, but the girl he’s speaking to is eating his bullshit up faster than he can shovel it. She throws a thick main of glorious curly black hair back as she laughs. I watch from behind, an ugly feeling boiling in my stomach as she does something with his phone, before handing it back to him.

He easily falls into stride beside me after a wave goodbye.

“You want her number, too? Maybe you can get some pointers on how to be a nice girl.”

Ouch. I deserve that, I guess, but he doesn’t have to take it that far.

“That’s okay. I would rather talk to one of the witches in this city and figure out how to do a spell to get you to leave me the hell alone.”

I walk ahead of him a step, but he catches right up to me asif I’d barely moved. I’m actually winded from thatandit bruised my ego.

“You jealous, princess?”

“Don’t call me princess,” I snap. “And no. I just feel bad for you. Judging by how fixated you’ve become with me, I know it will just be a passing moment before you’re right back at it, bugging me, again.”

Charlie eyeballs me, about to say something, but I don’t give him time. I gasp, as the square comes into view. Booths are lined up all along the sidewalks and in the grass where people sell their projects. There’s a huge crowd, making me think New Orleans is a little more artsy than Charlie would like to believe.

I visit every shop and Charlie stays glued to my ass, like he’s afraid someone will snatch me if there’s even an inch between us.

I manage to score a cute little hand-sewn black duster that makes me feel every bit like Stevie Nicks. Oddly, Charlie has no negative remarks, for once. I find souvenirs for Mason and my sisters, though, I don’t dare get anything for Mom. Shehatesthis kind of stuff, probably more than Charlie.

After a while, I sit on a bench, while Charlie gets us strawberry lemonade from a vendor.

“Excuse me, do you know where the boat is?”

I look up to find one of the most handsome men I’ve ever seen standing above me. I blink, sliding my sunglasses up into my hair — big mistake — and smile. He’s got impeccably sharp jaw bones. I thought I’d seen it all with Charlie, but this man could give him a run for his money — almost. His dark hair lightly curls at the ends, making him look like a Disney princewith striking green eyes.

“Uh, no actually. I didn’t know there were boat rides.”

The man chuckles, holding out his hand. “Peter. And your name is?”

I shake his hand, my cheeks warming. “Bailey. You’re not from around here, then?”

“Well, born and raised, actually. Just moved back home after a ten-year stint in Los Angeles.”

“Ah, LA,” I smile. “Awfully big city. Did you like it?”

He shakes his head, laughing. I gesture to the seat beside me and he takes it, keeping away from me a foot. It’s probably for the best, considering Charlie isn’t far.

“I found it incredibly dirty. I thought home was nasty, but you wouldn’t believe what people will do in Los Angeles.”

“I grew up in Los Angeles, so I know all about that.”

“What? What brought you all the way down here?”

An asshole ex-fiancé. “My best friend lives here. Besides, the change of scenery is nice.”

“Yes, it is. I actually had planned to explore, today. See all the new shops.”

“Oh, are you staying in the Quarter?”

“He’s leaving,” a voice murmurs darkly behind my right shoulder. One of those lemonade cups is shoved in front of me and a strong hand grips my shoulder. I still, sensing the tension in the man behind me.

Peter’s eyes drift up and though he still smiles, a twinkle of fear passes through his eyes.

“Hey, Coulter. Haven’t seen you in a while.”

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