Read Online No Foolin' (Willowdale Romance Novel) by Lisa Scott - Free Book Online Page B

been serious with anyone. I can’t stand a liar. Once it all came out in the wash, I gave him back the ring. He turned around and gave it to Ellen. Said it was the right thing to do, taking responsibility for his actions. I had to admire him for that, at least. He’s a good person.” The pain still tugged at Kate’s heart, all these years later. That’s why she was never going to let herself get hurt again. That feeling just didn’t ever go away. She pulled her hand from Teague’s and tucked it under her chin.
    “He’s a fool who broke your heart. And now he’s married and chasing you again?”
    “They divorced after two years.”
    Teague frowned and leaned toward her. “He still loves you.”
    She looked down. “I doubt it’s love. I think it’s just knowing that I won’t take him back. Kills him that I won’t give him a second chance. A couple times a year—if he’s single—he comes back, trying that proposal on me again. Usually when he’s had a few too many at The Hideaway.”
    “Not with the same ring, I hope.”
    She laughed softly. “No. He’s doesn’t actually offer up a ring. I keep trying to tell him it’s not going to happen.” She shrugged. “I doubt he’s serious, anyway.”
    Teague’s jaw tightened. “You deserve better than that.”
    Kate swallowed hard and forced a smile. “It’s not ever going to happen for me. And that’s fine, really.” Lordy, she talked too much when she was tired.
    He sat back in his chair and cocked his head. “Just because of one disappointing guy?”
    Kate shrugged. “Heartbreak kind of runs in my family. Must be some mutant gene.” She looked away and twisted her straw wrapper until it snapped.
    He was quiet for a moment, but she knew he was studying her. Finally, he said, “I doubt that.”
    The waitress arrived with their food, and Kate realized how hungry she was. She took a big bite of her mango salad.
    Teague grinned, watching her eat. “I guess that’s good.”
    She nodded, her mouth full. He probably wasn’t used to watching women scarf down their food. But she was too famished to be dainty. She certainly wasn’t going to fake a wimpy appetite for him.
    He cut into his steak. “That’s one thing I never do.”
    She paused with her fork in the air. “Eat salad?”
    He laughed. “No, cheat. Don’t believe everything you read in those rags. I may make the rounds, but I’m very loyal. Even to fake girlfriends.” He set down his silverware and settled his hand next to hers.
    Kate looked at their fingers, just a whisper apart. She wanted to correct Teague that Tommy hadn’t cheated on her, but it didn’t really matter. After seeing Mama’s horrible relationship with George, then experiencing it firsthand, she knew Mama was right about love—not everyone was meant for it.
    “Loyal is good.” She looked up from their hands, into his eyes. This certainly wasn’t the mean, heartless T-Rex she’d read about. He was kind and attentive—even thoughtful.
    Then she remembered Tommy had been that way once, too. Of, course. This was probably how Teague did it. He lured in a girl by pretending to be a nice, sensitive, caring guy. Once the unsuspecting sap fell into his trap, he moved on. Kind of like how he wrapped up when he was done with a movie. On to the next project.
    He was more like a calculating spider than a ferocious, dating demon. And he probably thought Kate was the easiest of them all. Just a few sweet words tossed her way would get a country girl like Kate to fall at his feet. Plus, there was that wager they’d made. He was just trying to win.
    But no way would she let that happen. She pulled her hand away from his.
    TEAGUE FELT A JAB to the gut. He swallowed his disappointment. She was probably smart, doing that. He needed to stop this foolishness and remember this was just an act. He’d experienced phantom feelings before with his co-stars. Those feelings had always faded, and Kate was just another co-star. This would