Read Online Face-Off by Nancy Warren - Free Book Online Page A

like me? What if—”
    He stopped her feeble protests with his lips. “Do you know what they called my ex-wife?”
    She shook her head.
    â€œGold Digger Barbie.”
    â€œOuch,” she said, but he could tell she was pleased. “I’m not a gold digger.”
    â€œI know. You’re a teacher.”
    She grinned at him. “Right.”
    â€œAlso a real, intelligent woman. They are going to fall down and kiss your feet.”
    She giggled. “Okay.”
    â€œDinner tonight?”
    â€œSounds good.”
    â€œI’ll give you a lift home, pick you up again later.”
    They drove out of his place and when he saw the car and the man at the top of his drive, he let out a string of curses that had Sierra’s jaw dropping.
    â€œDamn vipers,” he said finally.
    â€œPress?”
    â€œYeah. This one’s a sports blogger. He’s not the worst. But if he prints something, everybody will pick it up.”
    He made to roar by the guy, and then at the last minute changed his mind. He pulled over. Looked over at Sierra. “You sure about being okay if we’re outted?”
    Her eyes shone back at him, and he thought he’d do anything, anything at all to make sure this woman stayed in his life. “Sure.”
    â€œOkay, let’s do it.”
    He got out of the car. Went around slowly to openSierra’s door. Then, with his arm around her, he confronted the blogger. He hadn’t realized there was another van parked half a block away. A TV crew. Who was he, Céline Dion, that the Canadian press should be so excited about his doings?
    He heard the camera whir and tamped down his irritation. He knew that once they had their story they’d be on their way. The duller the story, the less intrusion he’d have in his life.
    â€œHey, guys. What can I do for you?” he asked, at his most benign.
    â€œJust have a few questions for you, Big J,” the blogger began.
    â€œShoot.”
    â€œHow do you feel about your former wife getting engaged to Ogden Terry? The NBA superstar?”
    â€œI wish her well. She’s a great woman and he’s a good guy. I hope they’ll be very happy.” To his immense surprise, he found that he actually meant those words. His marriage had been pretty much a disaster, since they’d both been such different people. He hadn’t given her what she’d wanted any more than she had him. He genuinely hoped she’d find what she was looking for with the next guy.
    â€œReally? She says you’re an overgrown boy with emotional issues.”
    He smiled. “Well, I’m working on them.”
    â€œWho’s this?”
    â€œThis is Sierra.”
    â€œShe your new girlfriend?”
    There was a beat of silence. The sun was making a valiant effort to peek out from behind the clouds, casting golden glints on the gray water. “Yes.”
    â€œCongratulations.” The camera and all attention turned to Sierra. “Can you tell me how you two met?”
    Her dimples peeped out. “At the skating rink.”
    They asked her what she did for a living, the spelling of her name, a few easy questions and then the zinger. The headline-grabbing, sound-bite-making, zinger.
    â€œSo, are you guys in love?”
    She turned to him, wise and mischievous all at the same time. “We’re working on it,” she said, and then leaned in and kissed him while the camera whirred.
    â€œWell?” she said when the media left. “How was that?”
    â€œSo much more satisfying than shooting a shaving commercial,” he said.
    â€œCome on, let’s go back inside and get naked.”
    Â 
    T HEY WERE MORE LIKE GODS than people, Sierra thought when she first saw the three McBrides together. They were gathered at Jarrad’s house for dinner and Jarrad was cooking. Well, he was supposed to be doing the cooking, but it seemed that the whole family had opinions on how to