Stacking the Deck (A Betting on Romance Novel Book 2)(15)

“Well.” Valerie’s bow-lips looked like she’d just swallowed a lemon. She glanced back and forth between them. Carter turned to swipe his credit card. “Like I was saying, I’d love to see you at the Dinner Dance. Friday after next. Seven o’clock until... whenever,” she drew the last word out meaningfully, speaking as if she and Carter were the only ones there.

“We’ll be there,” he beamed, then he yanked Liz tight against his side, knocking the remaining breath out of her. He grinned and plucked his receipt from the cashier’s fingers.

“What—?” Liz struggled to regain her balance, but Carter already had their bags in the cart and was headed toward the exit. She caught up with him in the parking lot. “What just happened in there? And what dinner dance?”

“The Alumni Dinner Dance. And you just saved me. Remind me to kiss your feet later.”

Kate’s toes wiggled excitedly in her flats. Faithless piggies. “Saved you? Is she an ex-girlfriend or something?”

“Are you kidding? Vampire Val?” He visibly shuddered. “You didn’t know that’s what they called her back in high school?” He was quickly gathering their bags while simultaneously glancing over his shoulder as if afraid Valerie would actually chase them down in the parking lot.

“No. We called her other things.”

“Yeah, well I’m just glad I was never a victim.” He made little nipping motions at his neck with his fingertips as if Liz hadn’t already gotten the point. “She’s been leaving messages on my voice mail for two weeks. I figured if I pretended we were together, it’d nip any stalking tendencies in the bud.”

“I live in Chicago. How could we possibly be together?”

“Long distance relationship. I could totally make her believe it. You don’t mind, do you?”

Liz stared at him with a look that must have conveyed her complete and utter disbelief at his gall, because Carter grinned. “So, you do mind?”

She shook her head and opened the truck door with a hard yank. “If I were you, I’d be more worried about whether my girlfriend would mind.”

Carter stopped, half a dozen bags dangling from his fists. “What girlfriend?”

“Exactly.”

“No. Seriously. What girlfriend?”

“Don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about.”

He chuckled and then stopped laughing when he saw her expression. “I’m pretty sure I’d know if I had a girlfriend. What makes you think I do?”

She rolled her eyes. “You know. The one you were talking to on your phone? Back at the house? The one you supposedly love? Jeez. I feel so sorry for her.”

“You feel sorry—” Carter repeated as he stared at her strangely, then his chin went up as he set the bags in the truck on top of the empty bottles where her feet should go. “Oh. That girlfriend.”

“So you do remember her! Nice. I’d say Valerie’s lucky you haven’t returned her calls.”

“You know, I think I’m seeing a whole new side of you I never knew in high school.”

“You mean the side that isn’t conned by charming smiles and witty banter?”

“You think my smiles are charming?”

She climbed onto the seat. “Off topic.”

“And, you think I’m witty, but I’ll let that go. No, I was actually thinking I was seeing a whole, new, less pleasant side of you.”

“If you mean I’m not as gullible as I once was, I’m okay with that.”

He shut the door and spoke through the window. “I was thinking, downright cynical.”

Liz settled her purse on her lap as Carter slid into the driver’s seat, but instead of starting the engine, he fished his wallet out of his back pocket. “You know what? I’d like you to see my so-called girlfriend.”

He shoved a worn photo under her nose. Liz pushed it away then pulled it closer again.

“She’s—”

“My grandmother.”

“You’re dating your grandmother?”

“No!” Carter yanked the photo out of Liz’s hand and stuffed it back in his wallet. “Oh, I get it. You’re laughing at me. Well, that’s not funny. That’s just creepy.”

Liz stopped laughing, although his horrified expression was still pretty entertaining. “No, creepy is a grown man who keeps a photo of his grandmother in his wallet.”

“That’s not creepy. It’s sweet.”

“No. It’s kind of creepy.”

“See? You’re more judgmental than you used to be, too. I happen to have a good reason for carrying this picture around. I promised Grams that if I ever do a job for one of the rich widowers around the lake, I’ll put in a good word for her.”

“Okay. Now that’s creepy.”

“That’s not—” He sat back in his seat. “Shit. You’re right. I’m pimping for my own grandmother! I was just trying to keep her from signing up for one of those internet dating services she keeps threatening to join. You’ve no idea how many weirdos are out there…”

“I’m getting an idea.”

“But, this is so much creepier.”

“Yes. But, in a good, well-intentioned sort of way, I’ll give you that.”