His First Choice

He wouldn’t be the first guy to settle for her when Kacey made it clear she didn’t want him.

Her high school prom date had that distinction. The one who’d taken her home early because her skin was breaking out in glittery welts.

“I’ve spent a few evenings with you, getting to know your tastes.”

She’d purposely kept things completely business. For both their sakes. “I...guess.”

“I’ve just spent the entire past weekend in your home. I know what kind of housekeeper you are. What kind of cook. I know you put the toilet paper on the roll with the end on top instead of on the bottom, which makes it easier to find when one needs to pull..

.”

“Okay, now you’re embarrassing me.”

“I noticed because I do it the same way.”

She was even more embarrassed.

“I know that you have a genuine fondness for my son, that you’re a natural around him and that he likes you.”

“He adores Kacey.” She wasn’t going to pretend otherwise. Fantasy or no.

“When he asks for one of you, he always asks for the other, too.”

“And do you, too?” Growing up in Hollywood, they’d had their share of come-ons from men who wanted to take them both home.

They’d even had an offer for a B-rated movie deal once. Kacey had fired the agent who’d passed that one on to them.

“A guy might fantasize,” Jem said, his tone sobering, “but I like to focus on one woman when I’m making love. There’s only one of me.”

Were they really having this conversation?

She needed to stop it, but didn’t want to. She was kind of enjoying herself. Because it didn’t really mean anything.

And because it was better than pissing him off, which was what she was about to do.

“So...if I agree to this dinner thing...does it mean I have to have sex with you?” The line was more Kacey than her, but she pulled it off.

She hoped he’d say yes. She knew that if he did, she was going to end things right there.

“Sex is not a requisite for a dinner date.”

“You’re sure.”

“Absolutely.”

Wow. What man gave up sex, even in jest?

“Okay, then.” She called his bluff. Because the conversation was beginning to matter.

“Did you just agree to have dinner with me? Alone? As in a man and a woman on a date?” He showed no signs of distress. Or humor, either. He sounded like he really and truly wanted to have dinner with her.

She wasn’t sure why he was pursuing her like this, but she would not let herself get in so deep she’d get hurt. But...

“I think so. Yes. And I’m not having sex afterward.” She needed him to understand that right up front. It couldn’t get that far. She couldn’t have sex without falling for him. And she absolutely could not fall for him.

She had no idea what made him different from any other guy she’d ever dated. A couple of whom she’d had enjoyable sex with, without heartache when the relationships ended. Regret, sure. Who liked to share an intimate relationship and not have it work out? But heartbreak? Not since college, when she’d brought her boyfriend home for Christmas and he’d dumped her for Kacey.

Jem was discussing nights for their proposed date. Lacey was scaring herself to the point of wondering if she should back out.