Page 80 of My Temptation (Kingston Lane)

I open the door to see Henley standing there. “Hi.” He gives me a lopsided smile.

I frown. What is he doing here? “Hi.”

“Can . . .” He hesitates. “Can I come in?”

He only wants to come in because Joel is here.

“No, I’m busy.” I cross my arms. “Can I help you with something?”

“Um.” He puts his hands into his suit pockets. “I . . .”

I glance back into the house; I can’t leave Joel alone too long. “What is it, Henley?”

“I need a favor.”

“Like what?”

“I have a thing for work this weekend, and I need a date.”

My eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

“One of my clients is trying to set me up with his daughter, and I kind of . . . told him that I have a girlfriend.”

“You want another fake date?”

“Yes.”

“No.”

His face falls. “No?”

“Hard no.”

His eyes search mine.

“Do you really think after what happened last week and the way you treated me that you deserve another fake date?”

“I was doing you a favor.” He frowns. “It was . . . you wanted the fake date?”

I lower my voice so that Joel can’t hear us. “I never wanted the fake orgasm.”

“You didn’t fake it,” he whispers angrily.

“Yes, I did,” I lie.

“You owe me.”

“I do not owe you anything, least of all my time.”

He steps back, affronted. “You’re angry with me.”

“Yes, I’m fucking angry with you,” I spit. “You didn’t talk to me all weekend, and you’re only here now because Joel’s car is out front.”

His jaw tics as he clenches his teeth. “That’s not true. I was coming over anyway. I didn’t even see his car.”

Bullshit.

I lean into him. “Let’s get one thing straight, Henley. I am not the backup plan. I am not someone you call on when there is no better option. Ask Taryn to fake-date you.”

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