Every Girl Does It(38)

“The calendar, huh?” He raises an eyebrow. “Well, well, my how the tables have turned. You bought a calendar, did you?” he says leaning toward my face.

“It was for charity,” I say.

“For your own personal charity,” he snaps back.

“What's that supposed to mean?” I yell.

“It wasn’t for charity, Amanda. Admit it.”

“No.”

“Amanda?” His voice is now low, making me dizzy. I hate it when he gets this close to me; it makes it hard for me to think straight.

“I won’t admit anything to you. I’m a grown woman, free to do as I please. Call Ashlyn and leave me alone.”

“Fine,” he says tightly. He pulls out his phone. “Put Ashlyn on. Don’t ask questions, just do it.”

I hear a long pause, then Preston talks in the most patronizing voice I have ever heard. “Hey, baby! How are you doing, little thing? Did you miss your daddy this week? Did you? Oh that’s a good girl, yeah!”

I think I’m going to be sick. I’m staring at him wide-eyed like he’s just swallowed a child whole. Is he really talking to his ex-wife like that? No wonder she left him. Wow, no question about it. His elevator doesn’t go all the way up, if he thinks that’s the way to a woman's heart.

“Did you go out and play today?” He asks in the same high-pitched voice. “Oh fun! Is Uncle Bobby being good to you?”

I look at him and pale. He left her with Bobby? What is wrong with him? I snatch the phone from him and hear nothing but panting on the other end. “Gross!” I yell and throw his phone back at his chest.

“Thanks, B.J. I’ll have to get back to you. My wife is acting crazy right now.”

I shake my head in disgust.

“First off, I think you’re the crazy one, talking to your wife like that. I mean, she’s not a dog, for crying out loud. And second, have you lost your mind? You can’t leave your wife with Bobby. And you can’t put her down in front of him. Do you know nothing?” I’m beyond my realm of control, so the last words come out more like a scream. I mean, seriously. Are all men this stupid?

“Wow, you sure sound like you know what you’re talking about,” he says, folding his arms.

“I want to cut off your arms and beat you with them,” I say a little too enthusiastically. He throws a glare my way. “So what’s the plan for the rest of the day?” I ask feeling suddenly ravenous.

Preston gets up and folds his towel. “I was planning on grabbing some lunch, but I don’t know if I’m good enough company for you, what with my lack of brain cells and relationship know-how.” He shoots me a grin.

I roll my eyes in annoyance. “Fine. Where to?” I ask, gathering my things.

“Hard Rock Café,” he states without looking back.

“But,” I look around feeling suddenly whiny. “Isn’t that all the way back towards the airport?”

“I’ll buy you a peppermint mocha,” he coaxes, turning around to face me.

“Deal.”

“You’re too easy,” he replies.

“That’s my problem,” I say wistfully, watching as he puts on his t-shirt and leads the way.



Chapter Sixteen



I shower as quickly as possible, then put on a cute sundress before presenting myself to the world. Or in this case, Mrs. Butterworth. It’s depressing when you have nobody to show off to or to lust after. Well, not really lust. I guess in Preston’s case it’s extreme, like maybe even possibly love, but that’s over with. I need to move on.

Mrs. Butterworth, still in her cat bikini, offers a quiet meow before I exit my room to look for Preston. He has on torn jeans and a white t-shirt. It makes my mouth water, but then again, I’m hungry. Yes, that must be it. I'm hungry. Ha ha. I laugh nervously to myself, and he leads me out. I mean, how terrible of a person must I be to be looking at Preston like he’s still available? He used me to get his ex-wife back. Although, he never did admit it, now that I think about it. He hasn’t admitted to anything. I must remind myself to stop talking from time to time; maybe he has some light to shed on the situation.

“So, I hope you don’t mind,” he says, interrupting my thoughts. “But I need to pick someone up from the airport tonight.” He grabs my hand, and I try to pull away, but I’m helpless against his strength. He opens the door to the rental and smiles as I scowl at him then enter.

“You’re in a fun mood tonight, aren’t you?” he comments as he pulls out of the parking lot.

“I’m sorry, were you talking to me? It’s hard to tell, considering you didn’t use your special voice reserved for ex-wives and small woodland creatures,” I retort.

“Have I ever told you how much fun you are? Because, I mean, hands down…best trip of my life.” Preston smiles and leans over to turn off the music blaring in the background. “Are you going to at least let me explain to you, or are you going to assume you know everything?"

“I do know everything,” I say, nose in the air.

“Good to know,” he says. We drive the rest of the way to the restaurant in complete silence.

****

I’m sure to anyone, on the outside, we look like the perfect couple. When on the inside, I feel like I'm dying. How I wish this could be a real date. I mean, we’re in the most romantic place in the world, and here we are fighting.