Page 5 of Fumbled Beginning

“Hey, Sunshine.” His gaze raked over my red mini sweater dress and thigh-high boots that I picked out with him in mind.

“My name is Rylee.” I scowled, causing him to laugh. Barbs and sarcastic banter had become our thing over the years.

“I know, but it sure is fun ruffling those pretty feathers of yours.”

“Really? I couldn’t tell.” I parked a hand on my hip, doing a terrible job of disguising my annoyance. “What brings you over to my side of the room?”

“Just coming over to say hi. How have you been?”

“You just saw me last night. Not much has changed in the last twenty-four hours.”

Another smile slipped out of him. He looked amused. “You don’t look very happy to see me.”

“Should I be?”

He tilted his head to the side. “Yes, considering I probably saved your parents from finding your dismembered body in the woods this morning.”

My eyes rolled. I should have known he couldn’t go five seconds without bringing up that bad date. “You’ll be happy to know I’ve sworn off men. No more online dating for me.”

The right side of his mouth lifted up. That damn dimple in his cheek was going to be my undoing. “That’s good to hear. You don’t need those dating apps to find a man anyway.”

“You don’t think so?” Was he trying to tell me something? I couldn’t tell because my brain cells were barely functioning after the liquor-fueled pounding I gave them after he left me last night.

“Nope.” He waved a hand up and down his chest. “Everything you could possibly need is right here for the taking. All you have to do is say the word, sweetheart.”

I shook my head, trying to fight the smile splitting my cheeks. JP Watson was a huge flirt who could not be taken seriously. It was hard to tell if he was serious or not.

“I’m not touching that comment,” I informed him, hoping he didn’t notice how I squirmed under his stare. With him being one of the best wide receivers in the NFL, he didn’t have to put any effort into finding a date. And there was no shortage of women standing in line. He had more females waiting for him after each game than Bath and Body Works got on candle day. I’ve had many theories on why he avoided commitment, but all the evidence pointed to his looks and notoriety. Women loved that bad-boy image, and it didn’t hurt that he had a fat wallet and was rumored to be very skilled in areas other than football, if you catch my drift.

“Seriously, Rylee. No more swiping right to get a date. It’s not safe.”

“That’s easy for you to say. All you have to do is crook your finger and women collapse at your feet waiting for the next command.”

He laughed. “Not all women, apparently. And I can’t help it if I like to physically see the person first to gauge if there is any chemistry there.”

“You mean before you invite them to share your bed for the night?”

“I’m not as much of a ‘ladies’ man’ as you think I am. I just get bored easily.”

That was exactly why I would never be able to take his flirting seriously. It would go absolutely nowhere. And what made matters worse, there would be no avoiding him. He was my brother’s best friend, so it would be incredibly foolish of me to entertain any romantic ideas about him.

“It’s a good thing I’m not interested in being another notch on your bedpost then,” I deadpanned.

“Good, because you deserve better than me.”

The casual way he said that didn’t settle right with me. His lips turned down as if he were embarrassed about who he was. I didn’t like that look on him or how that made me feel. “As you said, just because you do casual, it doesn’t make you a bad guy,” I said, reminding him of his own words.

His hand went to his heart. “Did you just pay me a compliment?”

“Don’t go getting any ideas in that overinflated head of yours.” I pointed my finger in warning.

“Go ahead, just admit you’re attracted to me.”

“You couldn’t get me to admit that even if you waterboarded me.”

He patted my shoulder. “That’s okay, Sunshine, your eyes speak for themselves. I know the truth, no need to say it out loud.”

There was a smile on his face, but something else too. I shook my shoulder, effectively knocking his hand away. His close proximity was testing my willpower.

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