Page 76 of No Limos Allowed


Font Size:

Back in the beginning, I'd been counting the days.Lately, not so much."Something like that."

"So I'm just saying, that's a long time."

At the start, a month had seemed like forever. Now, it wasn't seeming long enough – well, except when it came to the shithole where I slept.

That place, I was ready to leavenow.

But Icouldstay on the island for the whole summer if it came down to it. I'd simply ditch the boathouse at the end of my term and move someplace better.

It would be no hardship, especially once I had my own cash, credit, and the rest of it.

Maybe I'dbuythat boathouse and burn it to the ground. Hey, it wasn'tthatfar-fetched.I mean, I liked a good bonfire as much as anyone.

To Maisie, I replied, "Time's not a problem."

"But let's say there's someone who catches your eye." Her blush deepened. "That's a long time to resist."

The only girl who'd caught my eye was standing next to me. And eventhatwouldn't be a problem, because I wasn't here to stay.

A month?Definitely.

The summer?Possibly.

Beyond that?Not a chance.

I told her, "Hey, a lot couldalwayshappen, but not that."

"Why not?"

"Because I wouldn't let it." And that went double for the girl I was looking at. She wasn't the type for a fling. I knew this, just like I knew thatIwasn't looking for anything more. "Tell me something."

"What?"

"Who was the guy? You do know, him, right?"

Something in flickered in her eyes – surprise, regret, maybe both."Uh…yeah."

I considered the scenario and played the odds. "Your ex?"

She blinked. "How'd you know?"

"Call it a hunch." And just like that, the pieces slid into place. The girl – Centipede – she'd wanted some sort of revenge. But the guy?Hewanted Maisie.

Or rather, he wanted Maisie back.

Newsflash. He wasn't gonna get her.A guy like that didn't deserve anyone so sweet. And Maisie?Shedeserved a guy who'd stick.

True, the guy wasn't me. But it sure as hell wasn't him. And I'd make damn sure of it.

It was time to seal the deal. "Hey, do me a favor."

"What?"

"Say yes."

"You mean to the whole fake-boyfriend thing?" Her smile wobbled into something between a laugh and a frown. "Why is that a favor tome?"

"Because I'm not gonna let it drop." I grinned. "The only question is, how long you're gonna make me wait."