Stacking the Deck (A Betting on Romance Novel Book 2)(83)
Perhaps that was what made Carter so unaccountably appealing. She never knew what to expect—like being blindfolded.
“But that doesn’t make them wrong and him right,” she murmured aloud.
“Who wrong and who right?” asked a voice from the patio.
Liz jumped, a hand plastered to her chest. “Valerie? You scared the heck out of me! What are you doing back there?”
Valerie lifted a camera into view. “I didn’t see any cars in the drive, so I thought I’d stop and take some photos for the listing. I didn’t realize you were home until I heard you talking to yourself.”
“I wasn’t talking to my—” Liz started to protest, except that’s exactly what she’d been doing. She grabbed a mug from the cupboard. “Well, carry on. As you can see, I’m just getting coffee.”
Valerie turned her back and snapped a couple more photos of the yard. “Seeing as you’re here, mind if I come in and take some indoor shots? ”
Liz shrugged. “Knock yourself out.” She poured her own coffee and then felt guilty for being snippy. “Can I offer you a cup of coffee?”
“Sure.”
Drat. Liz reached for a second mug.
“I’ve got a couple potential buyers I was worried about bringing over this afternoon, but I’ll be honest, I’m shocked at how good the place looks now,” Val stepped into the kitchen to take her coffee.
Hmm. Apparently vampires drank it black.
“Gee, thanks.”
Valerie rolled her eyes. “I wouldn’t have thought you’d need a pat on the back, but nice job.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means I think it looks good. And, trust me, I see a lot of not good.”
“No, not that. The first part. Why wouldn’t I need a pat on the back? If you put your best efforts into something…”
Val rearranged a couple of things on the counter and shoed Liz aside to take a picture. She shook her head pityingly. “You never could get enough attention, could you? Valedictorian? Assistant V.P.? Queen of Charitable Causes? Should I be thanking you for trying to steal my boyfriend back in high school? You want a pat on the back for that, too?
“Who? I never tried to—!”
Valerie lowered the camera. “Dan. And you so did.” She took another sip of coffee. “Hmm. Good stuff. I never used to like it black. And, don’t deny it. You always had a thing for Dan. But, you can have him now. He’s all yours.”
“Back up the train. I have never had a thing for Dan.”
Valerie repositioned Cookie Rooster and snapped another photo. “Yeah, right.”
“I didn’t!”
“Oh, please. You’ve been after him ever since you sucked face with him at Jenny Whitmeyer’s party junior year. And, don’t deny it. Everybody knows.”
Liz choked on her coffee. “What? I never—!”
“Tell me another one. He said you were so horny he had to physically pry you off him.”
Liz felt the blood drain from her face before it roared back in a wave of humiliation. Dan? It had been DAN in the pantry? Oh, my God! And all these years she’d fantasized it had been Carter? No wonder Dan was so solicitous at the reunion dance!
Liz thought back. She remembered it all so vividly. The tentative kisses, the deeper explorations… the unmistakable feel of something surging toward her, warm and heavy and unknown… and then he reached up to take her hands from his shoulders and held them at her sides…
…he had to physically pry you off him…
Oh. God.
Her stomach roiled. How could she have been so wrong?
Valerie took a swig of coffee and snapped another picture. “All these years, every time we had a fight all I’d hear was, ‘Maybe I’ll ask out Beth Beacon, she’s really into me.’ Well, have at it.” Valerie turned and raised one over-plucked brow. “You okay? You look kind of peaked.”
“I’m…”
“Whatever. Take him for all I care. You two deserve each other. He’s a dick and you’re desperate, so you make a good match.”
“Excuse me?” Liz snapped back into focus. “I am not desperate. I’ve never been into Dan—especially now—and if I was horny it’s because I mistook your boyfriend for my… my…” My what? “…Carter.”
“Your Carter?”
“No, not my Carter, just Carter.”
“Don’t lie to yourself; he’s never been just Carter.” Liz turned as Bailey sauntered in, a to-go cup in her fist. She flumped onto a kitchen chair. “Hey, Val, how’s the bat cave?”
“Piss off, Bailey. You were never funny.”
“Bailey!” Liz said, grateful for reinforcements; although, she could use a little less in the way of expository comments. “How’d you get in?”
“Your brother. Do you guys not talk to one another? He’s out front installing some new coach lights. They look good, by the way.”
“He is?”
“Your brother’s here?” Valerie gasped.
Liz shrugged. “Apparently.”
Valerie looked like she was about to bolt. Or throw up. Hard to tell.
Bailey pulled a Snickers bar out of her pocket, the scents of chocolate and sweet mocha filling the air. “You appear to have swallowed a lemon, Valerie, if you don’t mind my saying.” Valerie’s pink lips twisted in annoyance. “Do you have a problem with Liz’s brother?”