Page 23 of Inviting Trouble
Mad finally came back to herself and snapped at Ty. “Why don’t you go jump out a window?”
“See?” Ty said, not offended in the least. He was a stunt guy and regularly jumped out of windows.
Park’s eyes were half hooded, making her crazy because she couldn’t read him anymore.
“Mad might be mouthy,” Hailey said, rushing to defend her, “but she’s also smart and funny and, and…”
Mad squirmed, mortified that Hailey had run out of positive adjectives. Ty and Park had nothing good to add either. They merely waited for Hailey to come up with something.
“A great athlete!” Hailey finally said triumphantly.
Mad turned away, pretending she had something in her eye. It was nice of Hailey to mention it.
“Park, maybe you should get to know her all over again now that she’s a card-carrying adult,” Hailey suggested in her oh-so-subtle way.
“What kind of card?” Ty asked with a smile in his voice.
Mad turned back to see both men looking thoroughly entertained by Hailey. “Don’t say it,” Mad warned. But, of course, Hailey went on proudly.
“A card-carrying member of the Happy Endings Book Club,” Hailey announced cheerfully, producing a card from her purse. The card had frigging pink hearts on it and read Happy Endings Book Club. And then under that, “Join the club and get your happy ending!” Mad’s card from Hailey was stuffed in the back of her underwear drawer along with the box of condoms she’d bought in hopes of an event that was rapidly becoming an impossibility.
Ty took the card, flipping it around his fingers. “Maybe I’ll join.” He leaned close to Hailey and leered. “I like happy endings.”
“I’d love to help you find your happy ending!” Hailey exclaimed, seeming oblivious to Ty’s overture.
Her brothers laughed, except Josh, who turned and left the room.
Ty snagged Hailey’s elbow. “Oh, yeah?” He led her away, saying, “Tell me more.”
Hailey chattered on happily. She was such a focused wedding planner/matchmaker, so set on building a solid foundation for her business, that she never took the time to find love for herself. She’d explained she would when the time was right. Joke would be on Ty in the end when Hailey tried to set him up.
It was just her and Park. She swallowed, suddenly nervous. Which was just stupid. She shifted back and forth on her feet and was about to bail when he spoke.
“How’d you meet her?”
She shook her head. “Long story.”
“She’s like the anti-Mad.”
She ground her teeth. Like she didn’t know how beautiful Hailey was. “Thanks a lot.”
He cocked a brow. “I just meant she’s, you know, all made up, like…and you’re not.”
She whirled away because she knew exactly what he meant. Hailey was beautiful and Mad was plain.
Park snagged her by the back of the collar. “Hey, it’s not a bad thing.”
She turned back to face him, jaw tight. “Whatever.”
“Why’re you so pissy with me?”
“Why do you think?”
“I don’t know. PMS?”
“That’s exactly right,” she snapped. Men always blamed PMS. God forbid a woman actually have legitimate feelings that needed to be heard. If only she could find the right words.
His hazel eyes narrowed. “I thought you’d be happy to see me, but for some reason all I do is piss you off.” He backed away. “I’ll leave you alone.”
