Three Little Words by Carrie Alexander

Author:Carrie Alexander
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2004-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CONNOR AND EVAN GRANT faced off in the second round, as the group of thirty-two winners was whittled down to sixteen. Connor went in thinking that this time he could manage to lose gracefully and discreetly, but his competitive nature was aroused. Especially when Evan wanted to talk about Tess.

“She’s the best,” he said. “Lucy loves her.”

Connor grunted. What about you?

He had crappy letters. He switched a couple of them around and put down duel.

“You’re probably wondering…” Evan let his voice trail off as he studied the board. “Duel, huh?”

“Wondering what?”

“What happened between me and Tess.” Evan smiled, showing too many white teeth, and made a fair score by putting plow alongside Connor’s u-e-l.

Connor decided he’d better concentrate if he didn’t want to lose for real. “Nothing serious happened, according to Tess.” He nodded at the other players in general. “And everyone else.”

“Who’s been gossiping?”

“Don’t you mean, who hasn’t?”

They exchanged wry looks and settled into the game.

“Tess needs a family,” Evan said after several turns had gone by in silence. “She hides it well, but I think she’s lonely.”

“She’s been telling me that the community is her family….”

“You don’t believe that, do you?”

“Nope.”

“Lucy wanted me to marry Tess,” Evan mused, gazing across the room at the lady in question as she bent over a couple of battling gamers. John the Nerd was getting red in the face and stabbing at the board, rattling tiles. “Sometimes I think I should have.”

“What stopped you?” Fool, Connor wanted to add.

“No chemistry.”

Connor’s eyes narrowed. “Even after experimentation?”

Evan smirked. “So you’re not so sure that nothing happened.” He played his tiles, tapped the clock and drew his replacement letters, taking his time about all three before continuing. “Don’t worry. Nothing happened. Tess doesn’t experiment with just anybody.”

“You’re not that. She likes you.”

“As a friend.”

“Good,” Connor said. He couldn’t help himself.

They played a few more rounds. Outside, distant thunder rumbled in the darkening sky. The murmuring in the room grew when several flashes of lightning lit up the high, schoolhouse windows. Raindrops spattered the glass.

“Tess deserves a family,” Evan said.

Connor set his Z back on the rack. “What are you trying to tell me?”

“Don’t toy with her affections. You don’t exactly look like a family man, so be aware that you’ll have just about a thousand angry people on your back if you do anything to hurt Tess. If you’re not going to stick, don’t even start with her. She’s had enough of being left behind.”

“You think I’d intentionally hurt Tess?” Connor cocked his head. “Does this have something to do with my reputation?”

“I don’t give a damn about what went on with that murder case. This is personal. It’s about Tess, lunkhead.”

Connor sat back. “Lunkhead.” He let out a short hah. “I’ve been called a lot of names, but that’s a new one.”

Evan laughed, but he also offered a grudging, “Sorry.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t intend to hurt Tess.” Connor looked over at her. The thunder clapped and she jumped, then moved hurriedly away from the windows.

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