Page 62 of Curvy Love

“Basically, he didn’t realize I was there on behalf of someone else and I think he just was, I don’t know, doing some kind of power play. Anyways, he kissed me and then this PR lady came in and made me sign an NDA. I told them I worked for Sabrina, and they tried to tell me because of the press that I would have to go out with him, but that’s ridiculous.”

I eat some of my migas, barely tasting anything despite the explosive flavors because all I can think of is Abbott. The intense blueness of his eyes. The intensity of his scowl. Just everything about him is so damn memorable.

“Y’all can’t tell anyone about that though. I mean, if he and Sabrina end up getting married or whatever then she’d just kill me if she knew I kissed him.”

“He kissed you,” Alex clarifies.

“Whatever. She won’t care about a detail like that.” Then my phone vibrates. I wince even as I pull it out of my purse. “That’s probably her.”

But when I look down at my phone, I just see an unknown number.

UNKNOWN CALLER: How did you know what black treacle was?

My heart is pounding so much I feel like it’s crawling up my throat. I look up at my sister and brother-in-law, but they’re talking quietly to each other and enjoying their breakfast. So I quickly type out a response.

ME: Who is this?

UNKNOWN CALLER: Abbott.

UNKNOWN CALLER: James. The Scottie hottie McSoccer player.

UNKNOWN CALLER: (Pointing up hand emoji) that’s how you should put me in your contacts.

ME: How do you have me in your contacts?

UNKNOWN CALLER:

ME: How did you get my number?

UNKNOWN CALLER: NDA

ME: Why are you texting me

UNKNOWN CALLER: We have to plan our date

ME: WE don’t have a date. You have a date with my boss.

UNKNOWN CALLER: I don’t want to date your boss. I want to date you.

“Is that him?” Laurel’s voice startles me from my texting, and I drop my phone.

I look up at my sister. “What?”

She’s smiling so big. “You like him.”

“What? I do not.”

“You are a terrible liar,” Laurel says with a laugh.

I lean down to grab my phone, but somehow, she’s already beaten me to it. I glare at her.

“He sounds adorable and totally into you.”

I roll my eyes and swipe my phone back from her. “Whatever. This is just a PR thing for him. Evidently he’s got a bad reputation.”

UNKNOWN CALLER: When can we go out?

ME: Why are you doing this?

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