Page 39 of Sweet Harmony

“Speak of thedevil,” Addison said when Daniel pulled into the parking lot. Heparked his truck and hopped out as Kira’s heart pounded with nervesand happiness. He grabbed his bag from the back of the truck andslung it over one perfect shoulder before walking toward them.

She smiled athim when he stopped in front of her. “Hey, Daniel.”

“Hey, doll.” Hewinked at her. “How are you?”

“Uh, good. Howare you?”

“Keeping thingsreal.” He shifted the bag. “You here to watch me play against yourboyfriend?”

“Um, I,uh…”

Shit, wasConnor playing tonight? Embarrassed by his rejection last night,she hadn’t texted him at all today. Not that she needed to – theywere just fake dating after all – but now she was regretting notconfirming what his plans were for the weekend so she could act thepart of the adoring girlfriend.

“She’s here towatch her boyfriend play. Whether you’re playing or not isn’tanything she cares about,” Addison said with a roll of hereyes.

Daniel reachedout and ruffled Addison’s hair. She glared at him and yanked herhead back. “Stop it, Daniel.”

He laughedteasingly. “You gonna tell Mom on me?”

“You’re such abutthead,” she said. “C’mon, Kira, I want to get a drink from thecanteen before the game starts.”

“Can you giveme and Daniel a minute?” Kira said.

Addisonhesitated but then said, “Sure.” She walked off, giving them someprivacy and Daniel grinned at Kira again.

“Hey, you’renot, um, mad at me, are you?” Kira asked.

“Nope. Howcould I ever be mad at you, doll?”

“I just – youleft Thursday morning without saying goodbye.”

He grinned ather. “You seemed pretty busy with your new man.”

“Right,” shesaid.

“Good for you.I’m glad you found someone,” Daniel said.

“Thanks.” Shefought to hide her bitter disappointment that he wasn’t the leastbit jealous.

“So, is itserious?”

His tone wasweirdly casual and the hope that had deflated inside of her puffedback to life.

She smiled athim. “He’s a good guy. I like him a lot.”

“Like him orlove him?”

Before shecould answer, his phone buzzed, and he pulled it from the pocket ofhis track pants. He glanced at the screen. “I gotta take this,doll. See you at the diamond.”

He walked awayand she studied his ass. God, he had an amazing ass.

So doesConnor. And the way he kisses is sexy as hell. Am I right?

She flushed andlooked away from Daniel’s butt. She needed to be more careful. Ifanyone caught her ogling Daniel like she normally did, her fakerelationship with Connor would be over before it reallystarted.

She hurried tocatch up to Addison, but Addie had stopped only a few feet away.She was staring at the motorcycle in front of her, studying the waythe chrome gleamed in the early evening sunlight.

Kira joinedher, but Addison continued to stare at the bike. One hand worriedat the string of pearls around her neck as the other slowly reachedto touch the soft leather of the seat. A big hand, a skull tattooedinto the webbing between the thumb and forefinger, clamped aroundher wrist.

---