Page 99 of Someone to Tempt
“We’ve been friends forever, and you’ve never once asked me for one thing, Iris. Not even a bite of my food, and I’m clearly the superior menu orderer. This month has been a lot, and even though going to a dance class or singing karaoke at a dive bar seems easy—easier than, let’s say, finding the courage to punch a V-card with an NFL god?—”
“Turned out okay for Sadie in the end,” I assure her.
“Exactly. It’s going to turn out okay for you, too. Tonight’s book club is going to be the best because you’re going to meet one of your heroes.”
I let out a tiny squeal and then hug her as the reality of it sinks in. “I love this for me.” The weight of my life feels not so weighty at the moment.
“I love it for you too,” she says, hugging me back. “But you can’t tell anyone, not even Jake.”
“Are you sure?” I don’t want another secret from Jake. “I know he’s read a few of the Ellie Spaulding books. Maybe he could?—”
“No, it’s just us. If I’m being completely honest, I have a vision of your eyes locking with Spence’s across the room and watching the sparks fly.”
“Oh, he’s Spence now?”
“I feel like he’s going to be Spence by the end of the night, for sure. What if he falls instantly in love with you?”
“Yeah, right. We both know I’m not the type anyone falls instantly in love with. Even if he did—” I sigh, sinking more deeply into the hug.
“You’re in love with Jake Byrne,” she murmurs.
“I didn’t mean for it to happen.” My voice is muffled by her jacket but she hears me all the same.
“Any chance you can un-fall?”
“I have a feeling I’m going to have to.” I pull back, hoping a deep breath will help me find some inner strength, but I seem to be fresh out. “It’s going to take a while.”
“We’ll get you through this, lady. And Spence might be the perfect rebounder. Based on his bestseller status, he’s got to be loaded. He can whisk you away to the remote mountain cabin where he writes all of his books and?—”
“Hold up.” I grip her shoulders, willing her to take this—my heart on the line—seriously. “I’m super excited to meet him, but when I say I’m going to have to get over Jake, aren’t you supposed to assure me things could work out?”
“Things could work out,” she repeats.
“You don’t believe it.” I wish I could say I’m surprised, but…
“I don’t know that Jake Byrne knows how to do a relationship, and you’re not exactly an expert, so the two of you together, well?—”
“You don’t even know if Spencer Charles is hot. He could be ninety years old with a stoop and a cane.”
“He writes like he’s hot,” she says. “Plus, there’s the whole mystery writer mystique…I’m pretty sure he’s hot. Or maybe disfigured, like the Beast.”
“ExceptBeauty and the Beastisn’t my vibe,” I tell her. “You’re the one with the library of books, skipping and singing through the town.”
She rolls her eyes. “I’ve got exactly zero interest in romance, unlike some people I know.”
She cups my face in her small hands. “Whether or not it works out with Spencie, youaren’tgoing to have your heart broken by Jake Byrne.”
My heart feels like a lead weight in my chest, but I wiggle my hips and manage a grin. “Jake Byrne who? I’m meeting Spencer Charles tonight. This is one of my dreams come true, even if he is a wrinkled old man.”
“I’m all about dreams.” My friend sounds delighted with herself, which she should.
“Thank you for making it happen. Talk about the cherry on my fun sundae. Whoever goes next in the bucket list challenge is going to have some pretty big shoes to fill.”
Sloane grins. “You went all out. I’m proud of you, Iris.” Her eyes gleam as she studies me more closely. “Am I going to make you cry?”
I laugh and press a finger to the corner of my eye. “Is that your goal?”
“No sad tears, but I like you in your feelings.”
