Page 53 of Playing a Player (Sweet Cravings 1)

"Which is why I thought you could still use my help," he added. "Especially after catching you on your fake date. You were very smooth," he laughed.

"Was it really that obvious?"

"It was to me. But Rory was so agitated after you left for your date that I'm not sure he did. You should play that up. Do it again tomorrow."

"I'm not sure lying to him is working out that well. Maybe I should just tell him how I feel."

"Trust me. Playing hard to get is the right strategy here."

"And why should I trust you?"

"I'm the nice one, remember?"

"Okay. So what should I do tonight?"

"I'm guessing you don't want to hook up with a stranger?"

"Not at all."

"Okay, so here's the game plan. See that guy at the bar over there? The one with the baseball cap right next to where Rory's standing?"

"Yeah."

"Go over to him. Talk for a few seconds and pull him onto the dance floor. When you're sure that Rory isn't looking, sneak out that back. I'll tell Rory you left with someone."

"Thank you, Connor. You're the best." I stood up on my tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek.

"Okay, game time." He lightly slapped me on the ass.

What the hell? I finally thought I was understanding Connor. These three guys were the most confusing people I had ever met. I pushed my way through the dance floor and walked right up to the guy with the bas

eball cap.

"Hey!" I said and touched his arm. "The Eagles?" I said and pointed to his hat. "I love them!"

He smiled at me. "You better love the Eagles if you live in Philly."

I could feel Rory's eyes on me. "You know what else I love? Dancing with handsome Eagles fans."

The baseball cap guy laughed. "Then it's my lucky night I guess."

I grabbed his hand and took him to the dance floor. We danced together for several minutes as Rory glared at me off and on. Connor knew his friend pretty well, because Rory definitely seemed jealous. When I finally got a chance, I excused myself, pushed through the people on the dance floor, and went out the back door.

Chapter 23

Rory had come home late last night. But he had been alone. There was no late night moaning and bed squeaking. I was beginning to think I had him right where I wanted him.

The sun was barely up, but I was completely awake. I hadn't felt so calm and happy ever since Rory had moved in. Everything was working out so well. I almost felt like whistling as I walked down the sidewalk.

I wasn't sure why Connor was purposely pushing Rory's buttons to help get us closer. It seemed like he was just a genuinely nice guy. Same with Jackson. But for some reason I had a thing for Rory instead of his nice friends. I always seemed to fall for the wrong guys.

I stopped at the closest newsstand and grabbed a copy of The Post. After paying the man at the cash register, I flipped to the editorial section that my article was appearing in. I stood frozen in the middle of the sidewalk. Holy shit. There was a picture of me next to my article. A huge picture. There was never a picture of me next to anything I ever wrote. What the hell?

My phone started vibrating in my purse. I quickly pulled it out and saw that it was Emily.

"Hey," I said. The optimism I had felt earlier had completely evaporated.

"You're making it in the big leagues, huh? You look hot in that picture."

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