Irresistible Bachelors: Books 1-5 by Landish, Lauren (bts books to read TXT) 📕

“Someone I care about got the wrong idea,” I explain. “She saw when you left my room and thought . . . well, do I need to spell it out?”

Leslie scoffs. “Seriously?” She makes a face and then does a little laugh. “Well, I can certainly see how she’d think that, considering your reputation.”

I let out a groan. “Please don’t start with that. I hear enough about it already.”

Leslie coughs, still grinning. “Sorry.”

I’m silent for a moment, thinking. “Leslie, have you ever felt like you cared about someone? I mean, really cared about someone . . . but you know that it’s stupid? That it probably won’t work out, but deep inside, you wanted to say fuck it all? That no matter how stupid it might be, you want to be with them anyway?”

Leslie looks at me in shocked silence. “Yeah . . .” she says softly after a moment, looking up at me with distant eyes that are sad and yearning for something beyond the trailer. “I have.” Her eyes refocus on my face. “What’s this all about, Gavin?”

I take a deep breath, knowing I’m about to break one of the cardinal rules for a single guy. Simply put, never, ever talk with another woman about a girl that I’m dating, or seeing, or whatever it is I want to think of Brianna as. “Well, there’s this girl that I’ve been seeing since I got to town—”

Leslie snaps her fingers, her face immediately lighting up in a huge smile. “I knew it! The way you’ve been acting was like a lovesick puppy. I saw it in my brother, about three years ago. He was stupid for days.” She shakes her head sadly. “Too bad, too. He was totally taken by that damn gold digger.”

I half chuckle. “Yeah, I guess. But she’s not like that.”

Leslie’s smile dims somewhat after a moment. “Does Miranda know?”

“Hell, no. And I’d like to keep it that way,” I tell her. Miranda’s always looking for an angle on how to turn something into a publicity stunt. I don’t want Brianna’s picture plastered all over the tabloids.

“Oh, boy,” Leslie says, reading my face and sighing. “That’s not good. Keeping things from your agent.”

“I’ll worry about Miranda later. In the meantime, I need you to help me smooth things over with Brianna.”

Leslie gives me a look, and I can tell what she’s thinking. She wants to stay out of it. “I don't know . . .”

I look down, my cheeks red. “I know it sounds like some high school drama shit, but I just want to put her mind at ease.”

Leslie stares at me for a long time before finally letting out a resigned sigh. “Okay. But she’s not gonna grow claws and rip my face off as I walk through the door with you, is she?”

I chuckle. “No.”

“You sure? You’re Gavin ‘Anaconda’ Adams, and this girl sounds like she jumps to conclusions. I’m sure you’ve had some psychos before.”

I shake my head. Sure, I’ve had some creepy fans before, but Brianna’s not creepy. In fact, I think I understand what she’s feeling. “Nah. You’ll be fine.”

“Okay,” Leslie says, shaking her head. “If something happens, I’m going to hold you for the damages. My career’s done if I end up with three-inch-deep nail marks on my face.”

I laugh at the sour look on her face and wave away her concern. “Totally won’t be necessary. I promise, you’ll like her. Once you get to know her, you’ll see she’s the sweetest girl in the world.”Brianna

I groan, trying to stretch a little. Damn, my back is killing me. I try to ignore the pulsing pain as I walk into the coffee shop after my shift. I feel like hell, and I know I should change clothes out of my maid uniform, but right now . . . I just don’t give a shit.

“Rough day?” Mindy asks when she sees me. She looks so pretty in her black skirt, tan apron, and light blue blouse, her hair so glossy and her makeup still looking flawless. Meanwhile, I feel like I’m a poster child for frumpy.

I’m envious that she gets the easy work. She gets to stay in one place and make coffee all day, chatting with customers, getting tips, and flirting with whoever she wants to flirt with while my ass has to break my back changing mystery-stained sheets and vacuuming up coochie hair balls out of the fucking carpets.

I take a deep breath, lean against the counter, and let go of my envy. It’s not like Mindy lords her job over me. And I know she’d love it if I could work here too. “Rough? How about . . . I’m just so fucking sick of this shit!”

Mindy gasps a little. She’s not used to my being so blunt in uniform, especially in the shop. “Babe . . .”

I shrug. In reality, today wasn’t any worse than my typical day. What made it so hard was the invisible weight that I had dragging on my neck all day.

Gavin.

I nearly told him I hated him, and I would have if he’d stayed any longer.

It hurts, and I don’t want to admit it.

Somehow, even though I told myself not to get worked up, I’m heartbroken over his betrayal. I was opening up to him. I really thought we could maybe work something out. How could I be so foolish to think I could be anything but some plaything?

To see him with that tall, gorgeous blonde . . .

“Are you okay?” Mindy asks, drawing my eyes to her. I look down and see that my knuckles are turning white from how hard I’m making a fist.

“Yeah,” I lie. “I’m fine.”

“I don't know about that,” Mindy argues, biting her lower lip. “For a second there, you looked like you wanted to murder me!”

I want to murder someone, I think inwardly. But Mindy is my best friend, and I know she cares about me.

“I’m just tired, that’s