Read Online The One You Want by Gena Showalter - Free Book Online Page A

see whomever he wants.
    Well, he’d led her on.
    How? He never promised me anything.
    Stupid common sense! Lost in her thoughts, not paying attention to her actions, she moved on autopilot and popped the top on a beer, then handed it to West.
    “Thanks. But I didn’t order this,” he said.
    Crap. Focus.
“And yet you’re still going to pay for it,” she quipped.
    “I guess I am,” he said with a nod.
    His ease with her relaxed her, and it was a nice feeling. “After my shift I plan on jumping into a body of water with all my clothes on. You want to come with? I need someone to record it for Brook Lynn.”
    “You mean with all your clothes
off,
right?”
    “Nope. On.”
    “Where’s the fun in
that?
”
    Before she could respond, Dane arrived, patting his friend on the back. “West. What are you doing here?”
    “Enjoying the scenery,” West said, and winked at Kenna. “Also making plans for later. Me and Kens are going to do some late-night swimming.” His voice dipped as he added, “And filming.”
    “Kens?” Dane glared at Kenna with accusation. “He’s helping you with your list?”
    “Yep,” West replied, even though he had no idea what they were talking about. “She’s gonna keep me distracted from the fact that you bought the Anderson ranch right out from under me. Had the deed signed over before I could make a bid.”
    The Anderson ranch on the edge of town. Kenna had personally hoped the place would burn to the ground. It was the scene of the crime, where she’d lost her virginity and conceived Norrie.
    “A lot of thought went into its purchase,” Dane grumbled.
    “Oh, really?” West said. “In just a few days?”
    “I wanted it and decided to take it. You had the chance, but hesitated.”
    Grinning, West slapped him on the shoulder. “Exactly the situation you’re finding yourself in now, my friend. Wouldn’t you say?”
    Dane pulled at his tie, clearly uncomfortable. “Yes, well, I also made sure you had another option. The Glass house. It’s bigger.” His attention returned to Kenna, as if he were trying to tell her something. “I liked the pool at the Anderson ranch better.”
    “Good for you.” The Glass house was—had been—owned by the parents of Harlow Glass. A girl Kenna’s age, though the two of them had never run in the same crowds. Harlow had put the “snob” in “snobby” until she’d abruptly dropped out of public life to be homeschooled. Harlow was spotted every now and then, but she always kept her head down and never stopped to chat with anyone.
    Where was she living?
    “You can use it,” he finished. “The pool.”
    “No thanks,” she said, and gave him another fake smile. “I’ll use West’s.”
    Brook Lynn approached her side. “Is everything all right, mates? You need me help with anything?”
    “Dane needs help,” West said. “A lot of help.”
    Brook Lynn looked at him and frowned. “Wasn’t talking to you, now was I?”
    He showed no sign of offense. “Okay, now I have to know. What’s with the bad accents? You guys in some sort of reality show?”
    “Yes,” she replied. “We’re calling it The Nutcracker.”
    He chuckled. “Wow. You country girls are a tough crowd.”
    “Kenna,” Dane said, his tone firm.
    “I’m fine,” she told Brook Lynn, ignoring him. Then she walked away, leaving the boys to their conversation. The bowls of beef stroganoff she’d ordered for Dane and his date were ready. She carried the food to their table even though Dane remained at the bar.
    “Hey,” Blondie said, grabbing her wrist before she could walk away. “Do you know...is Dane seeing anyone else?”
    No reason to hide the truth. “Yes. A lot of someone elses.”
    The girl’s shoulders slumped with disappointment. “He told me he would never commit, but I didn’t want to believe him.”
    And that, right there, was another reason to stay away from him. He wreaked havoc on
all
women, even though he obviously wasn’t offering them