"You should ask him too on this big date tonight. Is he hot like he seemsin his businessprofile?"
She leaned her head on the back of the couch. Peter's dimples replayed in her mind along with his warmchocolateeyes.
"He's a womanizing charmer. He gets any woman hewants."
"Includingyou?"
Maybe. A kiss might not be enough but then it usually was. She shookherhead.
"No. I'm just saying he's gorgeous, sexy and charming. He's everythingI willneverwant."
"Sounds like every girl's living nightmare, all right. So you are going out withhim...why?"
The sarcasm wasn't lost on her, but Belle had no answer. "I didn't want to be alone tonight, so Iaskedhim."
That hadn't sound so pathetic. She closedhereyes.
"You never ask out a man. You never wanted to date again, and now here you are out with the brotherof the woman who stole yourfiancé?"
Now that was an angle she should have thought of on her own. Belle opened her eyes as she said, "Where are you and theothers,Em?"
"We're on some tour. I am clearly not paying attention to the guide. Wish I was closer so I could comefindyou."
"We're at the same hotel now, I think. Are you staying at the Biltmore with the other weddingguests?"
"Perfect, he hooked you up with a room so you have yourfriends."
The penthouse wasn’t so she’d be with friends. "This is far nicer than my last minuteplans."
"You deserve the best. Colt and that wedding disaster hurt you. You're beautiful both on the insideandout."
Her heart warmed her chest again. "You're just saying that because I'm yourfriend."
"I want you to have fun. Don't put your heart on the line to be destroyed again. Just relax and enjoyyourdate."
She pressed her lips together. "What doyoumean?"
"You love deeply and never let go. Colt's ex came back from the dead. Don't let that one thing ruin your future. And if you do let Peter into your bed, remember who and what he is. Try to keep that heart of yours outofit."
Heat now expanded into all her limbs. Em was truly her best friend, though sex with Peter Morgan wasn't something she could discuss. Her face prickled from that thought. "Who is he really, though? There is something elsegoingon."
"I don't know. You met him. You're going out with himtonight."
For one moment, he had her believing in the impossible. A cold shower wouldcure her. "I did. He's guarded. One woman already wants to scratch my eyes out, but I thinkhe'snice."
"Ignore the jealous girl.He'snice?"
It wasn't hard tobelieve. "Yeah."
"You're a goneralready."
No. This was bad enough. "I don't loveeasily."
"No, but you do love hard. Try to keep everything simple with this guy. He's not normal. Mr. Monopoly isn't someoneyou can take home to meet your dad. Your dad likes simple answers and wants you to date amechanic."
Truer words weren't spoken. "See yousoon,Em."
"Bye."
