Page 82 of Tempting Miles
“Well… yeah.” Irritation sharpens my tone. “That’s what a good friend does.”
But then my thoughts snag on Miles.
Because when I think about all the things he does for me, I suddenly see the difference. Miles takes care of me because he genuinely cares about me. And because he wants me in his bed whenever possible.
Shit.
“I’m really sorry I didn’t realize how you felt, Easton,” I say honestly. “But I still can’t marry you.”
“Why?” His lips curl slightly. “Because of that blue-collar fuck boy?”
Rage explodes through me so fast it nearly steals my breath.
My palm slams against the table hard enough to make the silverware rattle.
Easton jumps in his seat, clearly not expecting the outburst.
“Don’t you ever talk about Miles like that again.”
I push back from the booth and rise to my feet, glaring down at the man I used to consider one of my closest friends.
Now?
Nothing about him feels familiar.
“I’d sit down if I were you, Pen,” he says calmly, adjusting the cuff of his shirt without even looking at me.
I glance around and realize half the diner has gone quiet. People are openly staring at us now.
Forcing a tight smile, I sit back down. The last thing I need is for this scene to get any bigger, especially in a town that would absolutely destroy Easton for insulting one of the MacAllisters.
“I didn’t want to use my ace yet,” he says quietly, leaning across the table toward me, “but you leave me with no choice.”
The smell of his cologne turns my stomach.
“I think you should know that dear Daddy Levine has developed a pretty expensive gambling problem lately.” He pauses, studying my face carefully. “So expensive that the last time he ran out of money, he put the family company up as collateral.”
My brain blanks completely.
No. That doesn’t even make sense. Dad enjoys poker nights at the club sometimes, sure, but gambling? Not like this.
“And if you’re wondering whether he lost,” Easton continues smoothly, “you’d be correct.”
My pulse stutters violently as all the blood drains from my face.
Dad may be many things.
Protective. Proud. Overly trusting sometimes.
But reckless? Careless?
Never.
After thinking about how hard Dad has worked to build Levine Constructions into one of the most respected companies in the industry in North Carolina, my shock quickly turns to fury.
“How dare you?” I bite out through clenched teeth. “My father is one of the hardest-working people I know. He built that company from the ground up. He would never jeopardize his legacy over some stupid poker game.”
“See for yourself.” Easton calmly pulls a mini tablet from his jacket. Once the screen lights up, he slides it across the table toward me.
