Read Online Game On by Lillian Duncan - Free Book Online Page B

saying.”
    “Well, don’t say it again. Please.” Nikki set her fork down. “I am so over marriage. One time was more than enough for me. No offense, Lucas.”
    Misty laughed. “Amen to that, sister.”
    Lucas agreed wholeheartedly with them. He had no intention of ever marrying again, but a little flirting was good for the soul. He winked at Misty. “But you just never can tell what God has planned.”
    “That’s for sure. God sure can surprise us.” Misty laughed as she walked away.
    “I can’t believe you said that.” Nikki glared at him again, this time for real. Her whisper came out as a hiss. “Why would you say such a thing? We aren’t supposed to even be in contact with each other. The plan won’t work if—”
    “What did you want me to say?” Lucas laughed. “Besides, I didn’t bring up our past. She did. I couldn’t very well act as if we never saw each other before, could I? That we were complete strangers. Then she would have thought something was really odd.”
    “As far as I’m concerned, we are complete strangers.” She glared. “And I plan on keeping it that way.”
    “Don’t worry. I’m quite content with being a bachelor. Romance is the last thing on my mind. Gives me more time for work.” He scooped a bite of the berry cobbler into his mouth. “And like you said, I’m all about the politics.”
    “Good. Just don’t forget it, or I will give you back your check.”
    “We need to talk about that.” Perfect opening for what he had to say. “I don’t want the check back, but I don’t need your services any longer.”
    “Excuse me.” Her eyes grew wide. “Yesterday it was so much of an emergency, you flew down to Florida to talk me into taking a case I didn’t want, and now today you no longer need my services? That doesn’t make sense.”
    “I’ve had some time to reflect, and I think you’re right. It’s probably all a prank and I’m overreacting.” He forced his voice to sound casual, unconcerned. That wasn’t exactly the truth, but he needed to keep Nikki safe.
    Nikki pushed her plate away, only half-eaten. “I’m not buying it. What really happened, Lucas?”
    “Nothing happened. I changed my mind. Simple as that. Keep the check for your trouble.” He scooped another bite of the cobbler into his mouth.
    “What trouble? I didn’t do anything to earn it. I don’t need your charity, Lucas. I make a good living at what I do.”
    “I know that. It’s just easier for my accountant if you accept the check. Donate it to your favorite charity if you want.”
    Her nails clicked on the speckled tabletop as she stared at him.
    He had to make her believe that nothing was wrong. If she had an inkling that he was trying to protect her, she wouldn’t be happy.
    “Lucas, you were practically begging me to help you yesterday. And now all of a sudden, my services aren’t needed? I don’t think so. I said I’d help you. I haven’t listened to your voice messages yet. Is that why you kept calling me over and over?”
    Nikki was too smart for her own good.
    If he told her about the message, it would only make her more insistent. She didn’t seem the kind of person to back down from a fight. Or from danger. He had to come up with a plausible reason. “Not exactly.”
    “Then what were you calling about?”
    “It wasn’t all that important. I got another email yesterday and sent it to you. I just wanted to know if you’d received it.”
    She pulled out her phone and scrolled. Finally, she looked up. “Nope. Not one email from you.”
    Good. This was one time he was glad they’d messed with his computer. It would be easier to convince her to quit without her reading his panicked email. “Fine, you want the truth.”
    “It seems like a good idea.” She sipped her soda.
    “I came down to Florida to see you with the thought of, you know, renewing our friendship. After talking with you, I realized you would never be interested in even being friends, let alone