Page 36 of The Guardian

I grinned like anidiot.

Me:At my disposal? Sounds like a sexualproposition.

Wyatt:I promised to be a gentleman, but I’m more than pleased to drop the pretense…playing the good guy truly isboring.

Wyatt was all bad. He was only twenty-three, but the man had already garnered a notorious reputation. Some even said he’d turn out like his father. Hopefully, he wouldn’t go that far. Hank Rinaldi was…well, a known philander all throughout hismarriage.

I had to take all those into account, but I decided I would make a decision after my second date with him. It’d be detrimental if I wanted to pursue this routewithhim.

Me:Friday night. Pick me up atseven.

Wyatt:A.m. or p.m.? Say a.m.please.

Me:Seven in the evening. Don’tbelate.

Wyatt:Never with you,beautiful.

Me:Untilthen.

Wyatt:Until then…you’ll remain in mythoughts.

Wyatt…He sure wasn’t one to hold himself back. Nope,neverhim.

Me:You’recrazy.

Wyatt:Always been crazy about you. Everyone knowsit,too.

Damn him, but I couldn’t stop beaming like anidiot.

Me:Blair’s going to kill me. We’re going on a friendly date…Nothing else isgoingon.

Wyatt:Like I said, I’m good playing pretend. I don’t mind playing that with you,either.

Me:Wyatt!!!

Wyatt:Yes,Gi?

Me:You’re hopeless. What am I going to dowithyou?

Wyatt:Don’t ask me…I can tell you countless things, but I doubt you’re readyforit.

Another text camefromhim.

Wyatt:Or are you…ready,Imean?

My cheeks flamed. Ready…Ready for what? What was he insinuating? Did he have some kind of notion that led him to think I was still a virgin? He saw me pursue Jared during his father’s birthday bash. Surely, he knew I succeeded,right?

Licking my lips, I typed myresponse.

Me:Ready for whatexactly?

Wyatt:Falling in lovewithme.

Me:Uh…WHAT???

Wyatt:You’ve realized Jared’s too old, and he’s clearly blind. Not that I’m complaining. I know you got what you wanted, but I also know revealing who you really were that night was out of the question. His tastes vary from time to time, but I know enough of him, and he prefersbrunettes.

I made a melancholy sigh. It was just as well. He had no idea how close he was to the truth. But everyone knew he liked his dark-hairedwomen.

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