Page 23 of Hothead

“Is Luke like him—Marco, I mean?”

“Complete opposites.” She felt herself smile. “Marco was full of life. He was one of those guys that everyone just wanted to be around, y’know? Always happy, always smiling. The eternal optimist in a world full of cynics. And Luke ... well, granted I’ve only known him a week, but he’s not exactly Mr. Sunshine.”

She heard Wade snort next to her. “You can say that again.” He paused for a moment. “You and Marco ... did you guys ever ... y’know... date?”

It was her turn to snort, after which she twisted to face him. “Marco was gay. So no, we didn’t date. I wasn’t exactly his type.”

“Oh.” She watched the wheels turn in Wade’s head. “But I’m guessing you’re Luke’s type?”

Yet another sigh left her lips. “Does a man like Luke even have a type?”

“Wouldn’t know, darlin’, never seen him with a woman. He’s not exactly the dating or relationship type.”

Excellent. Red flags were slapping her in the face now. Mocking her. While she basked in humiliation.

Wade continued, “Doesn’t mean he ain’t interested in you though. If anything, you’re the first woman I’ve ever seen himopenlyinterested in. He’s certainly never gone into a jealous rage before, thrown a woman over his shoulder, and carried her outta a bar.”

She could feel the heat bloom on her cheeks. This town really did talk.

She had no idea what to say to that. It hadn’t occurred to her at the time, but she supposed Luke’s little display did scream jealousy to any onlooker. Despite what he thought, she hadn’t gone there to hook up with anyone, she went there to dance. One of the things she missed most about Marco and her nights out. Dancing until sunrise.

Her silence clearly concerned Wade, because he was quick to speak again. “Sorry, darlin’, I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” Yep. Her cheeks were bright red. It’s official. “I guess what I was trying to say, not very well apparently, was that it’s pretty obvious that Luke likes you. And yeah, I get he’s not exactly a ‘light and sunny’ kinda guy—from what Zach’s told me, that’s mostly down to having it kinda rough as a kid—but don’t let the gruff exterior fool you ... I know for a fact the man is soft as shit inside.”

“Yeah?” Her lips twitched at just the thought of Luke hearing someone call him “soft as shit.”

“You ever see him around Libby or Cat or Rachel and you’ll see.”

Cat and Rachel? Why did the thought of Luke being soft around other women make her want to hurl so bad?

Hello, jealousy!

Wade must have seen her eyes turn green because he was grinning like he’d just caught her with her hand in the cookie jar.

“They’re his friend’s women,” Wade finally put her out of her misery. “Cat is married to Cody; he grew up down the road from us and is our neighborhood cop. And Rachel is engaged to Hunter; he works at the fire station with Zach and Luke. Anyway, Luke might not admit it out loud or anything, but it’s obvious he loves them and would do anything for them.”

That was actually kind of sweet. It also wasn’t hard to imagine him being protective of the people he cared about.

“Okay.” She let out a weary breath.

She was done hiding. Wade was offering to lend an ear, so why not take him up on it? God knows she didn’t have anyone else to talk to. Not anymore.

“Yes, somethingmighthave happened between me and Luke.” She ignored the raised brow, and soldiered on, “We kissed ... and then I ran away.”

“Why’d you run?”

“Because hooking up with my dead best friend’s brother isn’t a good look.” She tried for a smile.

“Why’d you really run?”

Wade Evans clearly wasn’t here for her bullshit responses. So she chose honesty.

“Because I felt something.” Her head dropped at her confession, and she began fiddling with her fishing rod. “Something I have no business feeling for a man I’ve only known a few days.”

“Do you think he felt it too?”

“Yep.” She didn’t hesitate. There was no way in hell he didn’t. Fuckboy or not, you can’t fake that kind of intensity.

When she looked back up, Wade had a thoughtful expression on his face. “So, what are you gonna do tomorrow, when you see him at the barbecue?”

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