Page 69 of Twisted Beauty

“Uh huh. Not when he’s so busy being huge.” Katie giggled and took another sip of tequila. “So, I’m right, aren't I? You feel better.”

Did she? Well, she felt a little better about Grant. But Matt? She knew better than to feel anything at all for him.

She changed the subject. “So where’s Zach? I thought he was here with you through the storm.”

Katie shrugged and stared into her tequila. “He was. I kind of threw him out.”

“What? What happened?”

“I mean, it stopped storming by then. I’m not a total meanie.” Katie took another sip.

Was this the real reason for Tequila Therapy? Shit. Why were they talking about Matt if Katie was having man trouble? “Quit holding out on me. Tell me what happened.”

“Doesn’t matter. He already called to apologize. So whatever.”

“Of course it matters. You’re still upset.”

Katie shook her head and downed her shot. “I’m really not. He just gets a little too serious sometimes. You know that’s not my thing.”

Liv had seen this side of Katie before. She couldn’t bring herself to be serious with a man, no matter how great he was or how good they were together.

Poor Zach. He really seemed like a good guy. But it looked like his days as Katie’s boy toy were numbered. And he seemed so into her too. Liv felt a little tug of sympathy. Katie needed to wear a neon warning sign that gave men a fair chance to get away before they got their hearts broken.

Realizing how unsupportive it would be to say such a thing, Liv just nodded.

Katie grinned, and looked like her usual, carefree self. “He’s taking me out to a fancy dinner on Friday to apologize. I hate to leave you alone again, but I can’t turn that down.”

“I won’t be alone.” Liv cringed as soon as the words came out. She shouldn’t have mentioned it.

Katie tilted her head, but didn’t say a word.

“I sort of have plans for Friday. Matt’s taking me somewhere to thank me for helping out at Tito’s in the storm. It’s a surprise.”

Katie’s brow furrowed. “I hope he cancels now that the pendant’s out of the picture.”

“Don’t say that.” Liv realized just how much she didn’t want him to cancel. Not only did he know PV well enough to show her the best spots, but maybe, just maybe, she’d get lucky and get into his pants again. She stopped herself from smiling at the thought. “He’s taking me somewhere I can photograph, and I really want to go.”

Katie narrowed her eyes. “Livvy, I know that look on your face. Cut it out. He’s not a relationship kind of guy. Not anymore.”

“Jeez, chill out, will you? It’s a nice gesture, nothing more.”

“Uh huh.”

“Don’t uh-huh me.” Liv polished off her shot. “I need photos for my blog, you know that. That’s all this is.”

“It better be.”

17

Matt

“You still haven’t told me where you’re taking me.”

Matt glanced over at Liv, who was staring out the passenger window as he drove up the steep, cobblestone street.

This neighborhood reminded him so much of San Francisco, with its crazy hills and multilevel houses butting up against each other. But unlike the old Victorians in the Bay Area, the houses here were quintessential Mexico, with clay tile roofs, arched windows, and stone walls. Some were left as natural stone, but most were painted over in whites, yellows, or oranges. Many had upstairs balconies and roof decks with sweeping views of downtown and the sea.

“So impatient. You’ll see.” He’d promised her a surprise, but suddenly wished he’d just taken her back to his house.