Page 112 of Dirty Dylan: Dirty Dusters

Because he’s done it. Dylan O’Connell has asked his cliché blonde to marry him.

“Jay.”

“I’m sorry. Let me just catch my breath, Bee.” I feel like I’m about to hyperventilate.

“Jay. I’m sorry but I didn’t want you to hear it from anyone else. I thought it would be best coming from me.”

“It sure is best. And I appreciate you thinking of me.” My voice is a whisper. “Does Jaine know?”

“Sarah was going to call her on the way back to her apartment, so she’s probably speaking to her now.”

“Thank you. Um…do you mind if…?”

“Call me when you’re ready, Jay. I love you.”

“I love you too, Little Bee.”

CHAPTERFORTY-EIGHT

JAINE

Jaine’s House, Rising, California

“You Dustersreally are the lowest of the low.”

Maybe I should have started off with fake niceties. Asked after his health. Asked about the weather in Manhattan. Made small talk to pretend I give a damn when I don’t.

But I’m way too pissed off.

It’s been over two months since I spoke to this pompous asshole. I was warned by the future Ma Duster to stay away from her precious fiancé. Well, that gave me an excuse to do just that.

“Watch your mouth, Jaine.”

“He could have told her. She deserved to hear it from him, and she deserved to find out before anyone else.”

There’s a pause.

“What on earth are you talking about?”

“Don’t treat me like I’m an idiot by pretending like you don’t know,” I hiss. Standing up from the sofa, I grimace at the dull ache in my lower back.

“I still have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“The conversation Roisin had with Sarah.”

“What conversation?”

“The one they had today at your family home.”

“Do I have to drag this out of you one question at a time, Miss Jones?”

Miss Jones. I smile briefly. It’s nice to know I haven’t lost my knack for pissing him off.

“The conversation during which your ma told Sarah that Dyl’s engagement party would be held in two months’ time. I mean, Jesus Christ, I realize there’s a lot of ill-feeling floating around, but Jessie shouldn’t have had to hear that breaking news from her sister. The man of the moment should have had the balls to tell her himself.”

“Dylan’s been called to my parents’ house. He’s being told now.” His voice is quiet.

I laugh dryly. “And you expect me to believe that?”

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