Page 11 of Twisted Beauty

And now he felt like an ass again. He couldn’t seem to look at a beautiful woman without seeing his ex, and reacting accordingly. Maybe he needed to keep his mouth shut until this day was over.

“Oh, gosh. Look at that,” Liv said, still glaring at him. “I have something I need to take care of at the other end of the condo. You’ll survive out here on your own for a bit, won’t you? With or without that all-important glass?”

She didn’t wait for his answer, and he watched her hips sway as she left the kitchen.

“And, by all means,” she said over her shoulder, “feel free to set Katie straight when she gets back.”

Damn it, she was cute. She might have sounded sarcastic—pissed even—but something about her reminded him of an angry kitten. Well, at least now he was fairly certain he wasn’t the only one unhappy about being put in this awkward position.

“I’ll do my best,” he called after her.

Liv flipped her long locks behind her as she disappeared down the hallway.

Shame Liv wasn’t just another tourist looking for a travel fling. That he could sure as hell do. But she was a close enough friend that Katie had talked nonstop about her on the car ride back from Sayulita yesterday. About how Liv was escaping from LA after a bad breakup. How she wanted Liv to see all the best parts of PV. And of course, how she had this elaborate plan—devious as always—to get her friend to stay indefinitely.

Naturally, this master plan of hers included him.

Well, too damn bad. He’d had more than enough drama with his ex in Los Angeles to last a lifetime. Now that his marriage was finally dissolved, he’d be a masochist to get involved again. For him, it was casual or nothing.

Matt was opening one cupboard after another searching for a glass when the troublemaker herself bounced in through the front door with her arms full. Zach was right behind her, as usual.

“Hey, where’d Livvy go?” Katie asked as she flung a bag of groceries on the counter next to him. “I brought Advil.”

“Advil?” he asked. For a broken heart? Or for being subjected to an entire afternoon of awkward?

“Yeah, we had a little too much fun with that studmuffin Don Julio last night.”

“Ah, so you brought out the good stuff.” Zach nodded his approval, and reached around her to grab the bottle sitting near the sink.

She swatted at his hand. “Put that down. Today it’s margaritas with the slightly less studly Jose Cuervo.”

Zach grumbled but gave in, setting the bottle back where he found it.

“Matt,” Katie said again. “Liv?”

“She disappeared into her room.”

Zach laughed. “You chased her away already? That’s a new record.” Matt shot him a glare, and Zach gave him a firm pat on the back of the shoulder. “Smooth, dude. She’s too good for you anyway.”

Katie shoved Zach with a hand to his chest. “Matt just needs a little help. He’s too much of a loner.”

“He does pretty well on his own, Kitty Kat.”

She turned to face him with her hands on her hips. “Oh really? Then why’s he always here solo? Just to bug me?”

“Standing right here.” Matt tilted the pitcher and took a swig of the thick, icy liquid. Forget the damn glass.

“Hey, quit that,” Katie said.

“I’m single by choice. Don’t forget that. Pretty sure I’ve mentioned it a dozen or two times.” He downed another gulp.

“Matt!” Katie stomped her foot and reached for the pitcher.

He lifted it just beyond her grasp, and she let out a frustrated little grunt that made him smile. The kitchen felt small with the three of them and all the groceries crammed into it, but Katie had to be five foot four at most, so it was easy enough to keep that pitcher just out of reach.

“Olivia Jaye!” she called across the house, her tone carrying every bit of the exasperation he was sure was meant for him.

“Do not call me that,” Liv yelled from somewhere in the back of the condo.