Page 53 of If You Dare

Marcus gave his buddy an exaggerated eye roll. “Hawaii. What else?”

“She doesn’t want to go with you?”

“Of course she doesn’t.” Actually, she hadn’t said one way or the other. She’d said they could “probably” handle a trip together, followed by a single “okay” that could have meant anything. Those didn’t add up to a “yes.” He needed to ask her directly, but now didn’t seem like the right time.

Clive stopped short of following him into the copy room. Good thing. Marcus had nothing to copy. “Lunch?”

“Uh, no thanks, I’m catching up on email.”

“Suit yourself.” He turned his head. “Lily, lunch?”

Marcus couldn’t see her but heard her fine when she said, “No, thanks. I have a date.”

His stomach lurched.

“Okay then. Joanie!” Clive called out.

She answered with an “I know! I’m coming!”

“Enjoy your date, Lily,” Clive told her.

Marcus watched the Camerons leave the building and then faced Lily in the hallway.

“Hi, Marcus,” she chirped.

“Hi. I told Clive we were arguing at his house and that’s why we left.”

“And he believed you?”

“Is that so hard to believe?”

She shrugged and wouldn’t look him in the eye. He’d been wanting to talk to her all day, but she’d had her office door closed. Avoiding him. And now she had a lunch date. What the fuck?

“When’s your date?” he gritted out.

“Soon.” She turned and started for her office. “I should get ready.”

He followed her. “Who’s the date with?”

“Same guy that’s going to be my date for the RSD dinner.”

Dammit. She was supposed to go to that dinner with him.

She spun to face him. “I hope that won’t be awkward.”

“You hope that won’t be awkward?” Was he missing something? What happened after he’d left her satisfied in her bed on Friday night? Did one of her boneheaded exes call and convince her to give him a second chance? Did she decide to dump Marcus on his ass after multiple orgasms but hadn’t broken the news to him yet?

“I mean…you don’t mind, right?”

Nostrils flared, he said, “I mind.”

“Oh, bummer.” Her blue eyes widened. “I was going to do that no-panties thing you asked me to do.”

His brows drew in. “What are you talking about?”

“You, dummy. You are my RSD date. And my lunch date today.”

Oh. Sweet.