Page 28 of My Temptation (Kingston Lane)

Henley and I step back from each other. “Dad, this is my neighbor. He just stopped by to say hi.”

This is awkward. I told my parents about my letdown of a date back then when it happened. And although I never told them his name, if Henley asks where my fiancé is, I’m screwed.

“Dad, meet Henley.” I gesture to Henley. “Henley, meet my dad; Henley was just leaving,” I blurt out in a rush.

Oh my god, leave.

Leave now.

“Hello.” Dad smiles as he shakes his hand.

Henley fakes a smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“Beautiful place you live in,” Dad replies. “It’s like heaven here.”

Henley’s eyes flick to me as if he’s about to say something. “It was—is,” Henley corrects himself.

“We’re going to Europe tomorrow, the missus and I. Excited is an understatement,” Dad continues.

“How long for?” Henley asks.

“Four months.”

“Henley was just leaving, weren’t you?” I widen my eyes as a buzz-off sign. “You really don’t need to make me scones. Thank you for the offer, though.”

He begins to walk down the four front steps.

“Henley,” my dad calls.

Henley turns back. “Yes?”

“Keep an eye on her for me, will you?”

Henley’s calculating eyes meet mine. “Shouldn’t her husband be doing that?” he sneers sarcastically.

Kill me now!

Fucking Liam. I’m going to kill him.

“Juliet isn’t married.” Dad laughs. “Perhaps you have a friend to set her up with.”

For the love of god. Shut up, Dad.

I open the door and gesture inside. “You really need to pack.”

Get inside right now before I beat you to death with the front door mat.

“Goodbye, Henley. Nice to meet you,” my dad calls.

Henley waves and continues walking back to his house. I watch his broad back as he disappears across the lawn.

“What a nice man,” my dad calls loudly as he walks inside. Surely, Henley heard him.

He’s not, Dad. Nowhere close.

“Just this way.” The attendant leads me down a corridor.

“I’m so excited.” I nearly dance along behind her. “I’ve been wanting this dog for forever.”

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