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His voice wasn’t even the slightest bit teasing and he wasn’t s, but Dellina wasn’t sure he was sincere, either

“This job is important to me,” she said

“I understand that I proain”

She waited, hoping he would add “until after the party,” only he didn’t

“Thank you,” sheto say that she’d really enjoyed the kiss It wasthat was a problem for her Only now that see him on in the same breath Which was pretty much what he did to her when he kissed her and then left her hanging But she was going to take the high road

Sex coh

She pulled several files from her tote and spread them out in front of her “It’s Friday The party is a week fro has been ordered and will be at s so I’ll have plenty of tih at the hotel is Mondaywith Heidi tomorrow Josh is already confirmed for the bike ride, as is the entertainment for the kids The transportation is in place to CDS for the adult obstacle course, the trip to the town festival, the golf game and the visit to the ranch”

She went over everything else on the schedule and explained as done and what still had to be co well, and that meant plenty of time to clean up her lists

Saood,” he said “Thank you for all of this The party is going to be a success and you’re the reason I should have come to you sooner”

“Yes, you should have but you were afraid To be honest, I get why That night eird”

One of his dark eyebrows rose “Weird?”

She smiled “After The dresses, the dry-erase board A little strange You were scared and it’s okay I would have been freaked out, too Noould be different You know me so you’d ask a few questions” She held up her hand “I’h if she put so would be easy

“I get what you’re saying We are the victie in that”

Dellina tried not to s reat beyond?”

Sa attention to the little things I don’t suppose she’s canceled”

“Sorry, no She’s confirmed”

“With ht”

She leaned toward him “They’re your parents Taryn and Larissa have tried to scarestories, but seriously, they’re, what, in their sixties? How bad can it be?”

“You’ll h You can decide for yourself” He relaxed “I appreciate your attitude in all this You could have constantly reminded me the scramble for the party was my fault”

“Not my style”

“I like your style” He studied her for a second “Why isn’t there a Mr Dellina?”

She laughed “I’uy anted to call himself that And I don’t know if I want the whole serious boyfriend thing”

“Why not?”

“It’s justI don’t know I raised my sisters so I have a sense of been there, done that I’m not sure I want a family”

He continued to watch her

She shifted so about her instead of the party or even him

“I do realize not every dating relationship results in a peruy a few years ago I thought he was great and ere happy, but then he cheated I broke things off as soon as I found out”

“And?”

How had he guessed there was otto know if I was interested in seeing hiain”

“He’d gotten a divorce?”

“No,” she said quietly “He hadn’t Which makes hiht I was the kind of person ould be interested in that kind of relationship I didn’t like what it said about my character”

Saht—the guy’s a jerk and he was only thinking of hi you were as lousy as he was You told him no”

“Are you asking or telling?”

“I’ I know you and you’d never do that”

“You’re right I felt disgusted just talking to hio Since then, I’ve been busy growingto have a private life I know from experience it’s hard to see the ex on a daily basis”

“At least I didn’t have that,” he said “You know I’m divorced”

She hesitated “Taryn gave me Simone’s book I probably shouldn’t have read it but”

A htened by his jaw but otherwise he didn’t react “It’s like a train wreck,” he told her “Inore Then you know about our relationship”

“I knohat she said about your e I suspect much of it isn’t exactly true At best, there are a lot of ways to put a spin on sos”

Si from her courtship with Sam to how he performed in bed She’d detailed his frustration when he’dwas always about the team Dellina suspected she’d wanted her ex to come off as a self-absorbed, spoiled athlete

“For what it’s worth,” she added, “you come off really well in the book”

“I’ve read it and you’re exaggerating”

“I’ the best you can in your work and your relationships You have concerns about privacy, but ouldn’t you? Froood with boundaries and there’s the whole being a sports legend”

He gave her a send”