Page 56 of Bad Girls Don't Marry Marines (Rock Canyon, Idaho 3)

“Thanks,” she said. “So how did you get the short straw? I am diseased, you know.”

“I heard the guy asking one of the guides to switch places and I volunteered. I figured there probably weren’t very many Valeries, so I took a chance,” he said, his hopeful blue eyes making her feel guilty that she’d been less than charitable to him. “Do you mind if I sit with you?”

Leaning in, she whispered, “I think you’re a really nice guy, Trent, but I’m not here to seriously meet anyone. I did this to make my dad and sister happy, but I’m just not looking for a relationship.”

“Are you sure? ’Cause I’m not the only one who seems interested in being more than your friend.”

She followed Trent’s gaze to Justin, who was scowling at them, and she couldn’t stop the zing of excitement.

“Yeah, well, I’m not sure yet what’s going on there,” she said casually.

“But there’s something?” Trent asked.

How much should she reveal? What if Trent was one of her father’s spies? It really didn’t matter anymore what she did, she supposed. Kyle had probably already called her father to report his failure, so he’d know she wasn’t following whatever plan he had laid out for her. Even if Edward called, she wasn’t going to pick up until she was damn good and ready. If that pissed him off . . . well, he could go to hell. If he took away Ellie’s trust fund, so what? Her little sister wanted to make it on her own, so fly away, little bird.

What did it matter if she told a virtual stranger that she liked the hot farm boy across the table?

“There’s definitely unfinished business, but I’m not sure how serious it is,” she said, tipping back her glass again. She made quick work of the wine before setting the glass back on the table and glaring at the empty bottle.

Trent nodded and patted her arm. “Why don’t I get you some more wine? Even though you broke my heart, it seems like you’re having a rough night.”

“You have no idea.” Laughing, she squeezed his hand. “I wouldn’t worry too much about that broken heart. A good-looking doctor should have no problem finding love in a place like this.”

“Especially with women who have a thing for Elvis. I tell you, I just don’t see it.”

Her laughter continued as she wheezed, “Oh, Trent, slap on a sequined jumpsuit and you’d be a dead ringer.”

JUSTIN WATCHED VAL laugh again at something Trent had said and gritted his teeth.

Come on, no one’s that funny.

He’d been sitting there watching the two of them all through dinner, acting way too cozy, and when Trent had poured Val a fifth glass of wine, he’d almost said something, but Dorothy’s announcement that they needed to set up for the dancing had stalled him.

The two of them stood up, and Val excused herself, heading toward the bathroom.

“You two are making this more complicated than it needs to be.”

Justin didn’t look down at Dorothy as he watched Val disappear. “What’s that?”

“You like her. She likes you. So why are you sitting over here while she’s over there?”

“What do you mean? She was sitting several tables over but switched for some reason.”

Dorothy frowned. “No, I had

her sitting next to you.”

“Well, apparently, there was a mix-up.”

Dorothy looked around the room, and Justin figured whomever she was searching for should probably run. She definitely didn’t look happy.

“Then I have to get to the bottom of it,” she said, patting his arm. “Regardless of where you were seated, dinner is over. Take the initiative and go after what you want. Love is supposed to be fun, for the love of pie. So why not have some fun, Romeo?”

She walked away from him with a disgusted sound, and Justin thought about all the things that had held him off so far. Her father. Her hang-ups. Really, everything keeping them apart was on her.

He waited against the wall, watching for her, but when she came back out, she headed for the front door, shrugging into her coat. He started across the room just as a blond man approached her, but Justin jerked to a stop when she slapped the man.

Whatever the bastard said, he’s a dead man.

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