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Will Cupid’s misfire cost her everything?
Still stinging from a breakup, Carla Portofino wants nothing to do with Valentine’s Day. When her bestie drags her to Bangers Tavern’s Anti-Valentine’s Bash, Cupid gifts her a swoonworthy silver fox. Maybe a no-strings fling is the remedy for her tattered heart? He seems perfect, until a greedy real estate development scheme tangles them in more string than either can handle.
All Jeremy Franklin wants on Valentine’s Day is to escape the lovely-dovey hype. But his pushy friend insists on cheering him up with a trip to Bangers Tavern, where Jeremy meets Carla, a woman so enticing he simply must pursue her. Trouble is, his real estate firm has the hots for her building, and he’s not sure he can save her shop from their greedy grasp.
To keep her business, Carla must dare the hardest hurdle of all—trust the enemy. Will her silver fox prove a predator, or will Cupid’s arrow strike true?
Excerpt:
“You ladies looking for a spot? We don’t mind sharing. Right, Jer?”
The other man looked up, and time slowed. The din stilled. The crowd blurred.
“Which one you want?” Shari asked. “Tall, dark, and yummy, or the silver fox?”
Carla’s mouth opened, but no sound emerged.
Squaring her shoulders, Shari strutted forward. “Mighty kind of y’all to offer. My friend here is famished. If we don’t get her some tater tots soon, she just might expire.”
“That would be a damn shame.” The fox’s slow smile simmered with sexy mischief. The silver at his temples proved he was experienced enough to deliver. Smile lines at the corners of his dark eyes deepened as he aimed his intense gaze at Carla.
Mayday!
“Miss Rosie,” he called without breaking the stare. “We’ve got a tot emergency here.”
The blue-haired waitress bopped up to their table. “Tonight’s specials are Love Bites, AKA jalapeno poppers with bacon, or Diego’s famous tots with cheesy artichoke dip and bacon.”
Shari tittered. “Because what cures a broken heart better than bacon?”
The server nodded, her curls bouncing. “It’s a proven fact.”
“Bring us a double order of each,” the fox said. “That is, if you ladies don’t mind sharing.”
Right then, Carla wouldn’t mind sharing all sorts of things with him—her phone number, her bed, her deepest fantasies…
Must be the bourbon talking. She told the waitress, “And an iced tea, please.”
“Bullshit,” Shari interjected. “You’re not spending your hard-won drink coupon on brown water.” She snatched the ticket and dropped it onto the server’s tray. “Darlin’, bring whichever of those cocktail specials you like best.”
Carla opened her mouth to object, but Shari shot her a don’t-mess-with-me glare.
Chuckling, the dark-haired guy introduced himself. “Leo Delgado. And this is Jeremy Franklin.”
“Shari Poulsen. And this is my bestie, Carla Portofino.”
Jeremy. Carla mentally rolled the name over her tongue as they shook hands all around. A friendly name. Down to earth. Kinda sexy, in an approachable way.
“So,” Shari sipped her drink. “What brings you boys here tonight?”
Leo elbowed his friend. “Mr. Grump-ass here was going to spend tonight watching Netflix alone. Figured a party would do him good.”
Carla ignored Shari’s pointed stare and kept her focus on Jeremy. “What were you going to watch?”
He shrugged, but the corners of his mouth ticked upward. “Maybe a disaster movie. Seems suitable for tonight.” He inclined his head toward his friend. “Mr. Party Monster wouldn’t leave me in peace. I figured a few drinks would shut him up.” His smile widened. “Now I’m glad I surrendered.” He scooted a little closer and nudged Carla with his arm. “How about you?”
A flush of warmth spread from the contact, and the room tilted just a tiny bit.
