Page 34 of Titan

“I can’t do that. Everyone knows I’m a total nerd and don’t have a boyfriend. I haven’t had one for over a year.”

“Lie,” she says with a snort. “Everyone does it.”

“I don’t like to lie outright.”

“It would be a lie for me to ask you to babysit.”

“Can’t you go out for a coffee or something?”

“Oh, all right… I’ll text you in five minutes.”

“Thanks Auntie,” I say, exhaling with relief. “Bye. You’re the best.”

“You know it.”

I end the call and slip my phone into my bag. Just then, I almost jump out of my skin when Harrison leaves the men’s washroom I’ve been standing in front of and blocks my way as I try to leave the small alcove.

“Excuse me.” I step to the side.

He steps to the side as well. “Sorry,” he says, smiling.

I step to the other side at the exact same moment that he does. I laugh and try to squeeze by him. Then, I glance up at his face.

Damn…

He is one hunk of man. I don’t look too closely at his face, not wanting to make eye contact, but I see enough to reaffirm what I thought the first time I saw him. He’s delicious, and part of me understands what Sherri saw in him. I see a hint of those blue eyes once more and there’s a definite twinkle in them.

“You need to learn how to tell a man no,” he says, his voice deep and melodious, not to mention amused.

I frown. “Excuse me?” I finally glance up. Wrong move. God, is he handsome…

“I overheard your conversation. You need to learn to tell a man that you’re not interested.”

“Pardon me.” I try to leave, embarrassed that he overheard my conversation with my aunt. “It’s really none of your business.”

“Sorry. I tried not to listen – really – but you were standing outside the door and the stall was small…”

“No, that’s okay,” I say, flustered by my response to him when I should really be hating him. He’s just too damn gorgeous. “I’m sorry. It’s just that I need to be rescued so I thought my aunt could text me…”

“I understand. I do a great knight in shining armor routine but not really a white knight. More like a black knight. If you want, I can come over and pretend to be your boyfriend or something.”

“No, thanks.” I force a smile, thinking that the black knight comment is totally appropriate. “My aunt will come to the rescue.”

He nods and smiles back and what a smile it is. Brilliant, his teeth perfect, his lips full.

Kissable lips. The kind you can imagine lingering on various parts of your body. No wonder Sherri fell so hard…

“If she doesn’t, I’ll be sitting at the bar. You can signal me, touch your nose, and I’ll come by and pretend that we know each other, and I just saw you.”

“Thanks, but really. I’ll be fine.” I try to leave, and he lets me this time. I know I should stay and flirt with him, but I’m just not a very good actress. I’m afraid I’ll do or say something that will give myself away. It’s then I realize I’m just not really up to this game of seduction I’ve set for myself, despite my hatred of Harrison and what he did.

I walk back to the table dejectedly and sit down, but unfortunately, I have to sit beside Pete once more. I wonder how long it will take for him to try to monopolize my time, hoping that my aunt texts me so I can excuse myself.

Sure enough, Pete leans in and begins talking to me, taking off from the conversation about his Alpha Romeo and the refurbishing job he’s doing. I try to smile, but it feels forced and all I can think of isCall me Auntie!Before she can text me,Harrison walks over and leans in even closer than Pete, kissing me on the cheek before I can do or say anything.

"Hey there, beautiful," he says and kneels between us, his arm around the back of my chair. "I didn’t expect to see you here."

I sit there with my mouth hanging open for a moment before getting on top of things. Did I accidentally touch my nose?

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