Page 21 of Tricking an Introvert

Tessa

Tessa cursed internally as she lowered her legs from Cole’s lap to the floor.

She might be mistaken, but it felt like maybe, just maybe, they’d had a moment. A thing. A potential kiss thing.

She blushed. No, she was probably mistaken. And she’d never know because of the damn doorbell.

She guessed before opening the door that the intruder was none other than Lewis Michaels, famous hockey player, known womanizer—and her annoying little brother.

He stood six foot three, a colossal pile of muscles with a goofy grin.

“You could call before showing up, you know,” she spat at him.

“Sure, but why would I? People call to make sure their friends are in.” Lewis shrugged, walking in. “You’re in every night.”

As she had no retort, Tessa just sighed, following him back into the living room.

Lewis’s hulking frame came to a sudden halt, and a curse escaped him.

“Jesus, is that a realistic fuck doll robot thing? If so, I don’t want to know. And you’re right. I will call before barging in next time.”

Tessa rolled her eyes. “Lewis, meet Cole Westbrook. Cole—”

“Lewis Michaels,” Cole interjected, getting to his feet, hand extended. “I’m a huge fan.”

Lewis looked at his hand like it might bite. “Did your hands go anywhere near my sister’s thingies? Because not sure I can touch that.”

Cole laughed. “No sister thingy contact, I promise.”

They shook hands, both of them making a show of flexing their muscles and holding on for far too long. Tessa had seen her friends’ boyfriends and husbands exchange that sort of manly greeting.

“Good. A few years back, I sat on one of her armchairs and I was traumatized when one of her boy toys said what they’d been up to on it.”

Jesus! “Nice seeing you, Lewis. Get out, Lewis.”

“In a moment. I just need to steal your extra remote. I broke mine.”

Broke, for Lewis, could mean several things.

“Did you, like, try charging it?”

“Yeah, it’s not working. I’ll get it replaced and bring yours back.”

Her brother unhooked her spare remote control from her gaming console before heading back out of doors.

“All done. Let me know if the sofas get contaminated.”

“Out!” she ordered, firmly pointing to the door.

Chuckling, Lewis retreated, leaving an awkward atmosphere in his wake.

“Boy toys, huh?”

She grimaced. “Lewis disapproves of my taste in men.”

“Don’t all brothers?”

Tessa headed to her TV stand and tidied up the mess of cords Lewis had managed to create in the space of thirty seconds. “I don’t know, he’s kinda trying to introduce me to most of his friends, his driver, his manager, his personal trainer. Everyone. He just doesn’t like the ones I pick.”

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