Page 5 of The Boyfriend Material Novellas

With an aggrieved sigh, he says, “Don’t make me be nice.”

“Do it,” I goad, motioning with curling fingers for him to bring it on. “C’mon. I’m dying to see your nice routine. I’ve heard so much about it.”

He huffs. “You’re affable. You’re easygoing. And I hate parties, so I need you, man. Besides, it’s just one dinner. That’s all.”

“Aww. So sweet. That’s all you had to say.” I raise a finger, reconsidering. “Wait, let me amend that. Say, ‘Vaughn, you rock at being the public face of this agency because you’re so goddamn friendly and easy on the eyes.’”

He flips me the bird.

“NowthatI’ll take as a compliment.”

* * *

That evening, we head to a nearby restaurant. Once inside, my gaze drifts to a woman with flaming-red hair at a booth in the back. Just as I thinkNice, she waves to Josh, a picture-perfect smile lighting up her face.

Herprettyface. It seems Josh failed to mention that his sister is beautiful.

He was right about her smile though. It’s melting something ice-cold in me . . . Not my heart.

My resolve.

Seriously?

I’d curse Father Christmas if that weren’t blasphemy. Because are you kidding me? Why does my business partner’s sister have to be a gorgeous redhead?

I have a thing for redheads. Especially fun, kind, witty, and flirty redheads.

What are the chances that she’s going to hit the mark on each count?

No way. Not possible.

She probably hates kids and sports and laughter and snow and caroling, and hell, even puppies, making it that much easier for me to stick to my diet through this dinner. Yep.

With that pep talk, I follow my partner to the booth, ready to resist temptation.

When we reach the table, Josh makes quick introductions. “Vaughn, meet Quinn, my favorite sister, and I’m not just saying that because she worshiped me in high school and cheered the loudest at my games.”

I groan inside.She loves sports. Dammit.

Quinn rises, punching Josh’s arm. “You revisionist historian. I cheered the loudest because I was the head cheerleader.”

Double groan. That probably means she’s outgoing.

She meets my gaze, flashing a megawatt smile that belongs on the red carpet and in private corners of darkened rooms, and hell, do I ever love that smile already.

I offer a hand, and we shake.Friendly, Vaughn. Just keep it friendly.

“Great to meet you, Quinn. Funny thing. On the way over, Josh mentioned he lost a five-hundred-dollar bet to you recently and forgot to pay up—” My eyes go wide, swinging from Josh to Quinn. “Oh, my bad. That wasn’t a secret, was it, man?”

Josh rolls his eyes then claps my shoulder. “And this is Vaughn. He loves to get my goat.”

Quinn laughs. “What do you know, Vaughn? We have that in common. Also,” she says to me with an approving glint in her green eyes, “when I finagle that five hundred bucks from him, we’ll split it on VIP tickets to the amusement park. Maybe add in Skee-Ball and mini-golf too. Deal?”

“That sounds more than fair,” I say, and I don’t give away that I’m freaking out inside.

Fun.Check.

More fun than mini-golf, Skee-Ball, and amusement parks.

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