The Boyfriend Candidate (Fool Me Once, #2)

by Ashley Winstead

“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” came a voice, tinged with an accent I couldn’t place—British mixed with Texas panhandle? I nearly knocked over my martini. “She said no, mate. Get it through your thick skull and leave the poor woman alone.”

Is this how people think Australian accents sound?

“Who wants to watch Twilight?” Everyone, it turned out. Literal pandemonium. (I filed away “Mention Twilight,” and it turns out, fifteen years later, it still works.)

I’m an elementary school librarian—I

I thought Mildred was 12?

This is why I read all day. To escape the blasted world.” I’d uttered the exact same sentiment on a number of occasions. Why participate in hard and disappointing reality when you could escape into a book?

I didn’t know how to fight. And I hated the spotlight. I didn’t even like meeting strangers’ eyes in the grocery store.

“Nora,” Logan growled. “This isn’t a PR stunt. No photos.” “Sure thing.” She put her hands up in mock surrender as she strolled to the door. “Like I said, if that’s the way you want to play it. You’re the boss.” But as she passed me, she winked, and I had the feeling that was not, strictly speaking, the truth.

God, I do not like this woman.

the fear sank in. You couldn’t count on anyone to stick around, it turned out, not even your family.

you had to work hard to keep the people you loved with you; but sometimes, no matter how hard you worked, it simply wasn’t enough.

“Oh, sorry—Chris, this is Logan, my, um...” “Boyfriend,” Logan said, giving me a quizzical look. He stretched out his hand. “Nice to meet you, mate.” Chris shook Logan’s hand with a smile, though when Logan released him, he winced and discreetly flexed his fingers. “So, how are you doing?” Chris asked. “It’s been, what...over a year?” Logan’s eyebrows perked up. I cleared my throat. “I guess it has been. Who’s counting, though? Time, it flies. Can’t keep track of it.” Chris rocked on his heels. “I’m still dating Kim, by the way. The woman from, uh...” His voice trailed off. Right. Kim. The woman he’d cheated on me with (the second time around). I felt my cheeks heat. Apparently, I was supposed to congratulate Chris on his accomplishment. “That’s—I guess—I’m happy for you.”

No one cares Chris, fuck off

Here’s the funny thing about public speaking: surely I kept talking after that, and I had a vague sense the crowd kept applauding, but for the life of me, when I looked back, I couldn’t remember. All I knew was that somehow, I arrived at the part where I said thank you for having me and the entire audience rose to their feet, clapping.

Honestly, I am so glad that she didn't make us read the entire speech

Cary tsked. “A gif isn’t a proper message.” “Then why do you send me so many?” I glared at him. “You sent me gifs, so I sent you gifs.” I pointed back and forth between us. “Gif, gif—”

This is giving Nick Miller's "gave me cookie, gave you cookie man!”

“I would follow you anywhere,” he whispered, his lips brushing my cheek, and then he was striding forward and waving at the crowd.

“I guess I’m scared to be the most important person in something’s life. I’m scared to have it all come down to me. What if I’m not good enough? What if there are better options for parents?”

“If you want this endorsement, all it takes is one date. Maybe two, if you’re willing to go to the wedding. Don’t worry about being exposed there—Will says most of the surgeons are too busy to track politics. It’s a really big deal for him, Lex. All of his colleagues are bringing dates.”

Dirty, I am not liking Lee right now

A Real-Life Prince Charming

Hmm, I could live with out this sub plot...

It seemed too extreme a reaction for colleagues or even friends—

Yeah no shit

Yes, we’d kissed, but Logan didn’t have feelings for me. He’d made that clear a few times now. So I didn’t owe him an explanation.

You are so blind.

I thought we’d gone unnoticed, dodged a bullet. But here we were, blasted for the whole world to see.

Idiot....