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Nate made amehface.

“You can’t be serious.”

His brow arched in response.You wanna bet?

“But you were so...” She struggled to find the right word. “Friendly,” she concluded lamely.

“Come on, Kennedy. I wasn’t raised in a barn. And it was only last week you gave me shit for not being nice enough to what’s-his-name.”

“Sam,” she supplied.

“Yeah, what’s-his-name.”

Kennedy glared at him. “Very funny.”

“I’m damned when I don’t and then rebuked when I do.” He shook his head and lamented on a heavy sigh, “Kennedy Mitchell, you are one hard woman to please.”

“Enough with the jokes. I want to know why you don’t like him. He couldn’t have been nicer to you. He even waxed poetic about your dad’s movies.” Kennedy took a sip of her champagne. Phil was a sweetheart.

“Well, in that case, he’s a saint.”

“Okay, now you’re lying.”

“Of course I’m lying. It seems that’s the only way to end this interrogation.”

“Then just tell me the truth.” Now it was imperative she know. Her character judgment was at stake.

“I grew up with men like him and my gut tells me he’s as authentic as a three-dollar bill.” Nate finished the rest of his champagne in one long swallow.

“Your gut?” Kennedy scoffed. “Ever think your gut could be off?”

“It hasn’t steered me wrong yet,” he stated smugly.

“Well, it’s wrong when it comes to Phil. He’s the—”

The second she caught sight of Aidan beyond Nate’s broad shoulders, everything stopped, foremost her ability to speak. It was like hitting a brick wall. Or getting hit by a speeding train.

Her thoughts scrambled.What the hell is Aidan doing here?

She must have looked like someone in a horror movie, because Nate immediately shot a look behind him. Then he turned back to her and muttered under his breath, “Don’t tell me—another ex-boyfriend?”

Kennedy could only nod as she did her best to stop panic from overwhelming her. There wasn’t much she could do about the fear and dread. They seemed content to accept a shotgun role in the unfolding events.

“It’s okay. I’ve got you.” Nate caught her around the waist and pulled her tight to his side as Aidan closed the last bit of distance between them. “Everything is going to be fine. You’re with me now,” he whispered in her ear.

Didn’t he get it? Thatwasthe problem.

15

“Hi, Aidan. This is a surprise.” No lies detected there. “I had no idea you’d be here.” Kennedy wished it didn’t sound as if she was having problems dislodging a boulder-sized obstruction from her throat. She took a gulp of her champagne.

Sahara. It had to be. It could only be her.

It was funny, but except for a faint tinge of sadness, seeing him again didn’t fill her with the bittersweet longing she thought it might, considering she hadn’t wanted to break up.

“I can see that,” Aidan remarked coolly as he looked pointedly at Nate, who now held on to her like a toddler clutching his favorite toy.

That was okay—she’d heard the bottom ribs were basically for show. And who really needed to breathe? She couldn’t think of a bodily function more highly overrated.

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