Free Deadly Illusions (Hardy Brothers Security Book 3) by Lily Harper Hart Page A

impossible for you to get.”
    Gwen ran her hand up James’ arm. “I think you’re just playing a game with me.”
    James opened his mouth to argue, but the snowball slamming into Gwen’s head stopped him cold. He looked over to find that Mandy was on her feet – and she was the one who had launched the slush grenade.
    He swallowed the mad urge to laugh.
    “Who threw that?” Gwen asked, incensed.
    “That would be my little snow bunny,” James said, moving away from her. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go and give her a good roll in the snow.”

Ten
    After the snowball fight wound down, James suggested everyone go to a local restaurant for dinner and a few drinks. Finn’s attention was focused on Emma, who was packing up about a hundred yards away, so he didn’t initially hear the question.
    James poked him in the ribs. “Did you hear me?”
    “Yeah, whatever,” Finn said. “I’m ready to go home.”
    James sighed. “Let’s get dinner.”
    “Oh, dinner,” Finn said. “That actually sounds good.”
    “What are you in the mood for?” James asked.
    “I’m easy.”
    “That’s what I’ve heard,” James teased.
    “Uh-huh,” Finn said, clearly distracted. “Maybe I should go and invite Emma?”
    “If you want,” James said.
    Mandy was the one who stopped him. “Why don’t you let me invite her?”
    Finn narrowed his eyes, regarding Mandy curiously. “Why do you want to invite her?”
    “Because if I invite her, it won’t seem like a date,” Mandy said.
    “And you think she doesn’t want to date me,” Finn said, rubbing the back of his neck tiredly. “That’s what you’re saying.”
    “Actually, I think she is interested in you,” Mandy replied. “I just don’t think she wants to be interested in you.”
    “How is that different?”
    “It’s a woman thing,” Sophie supplied. “It’s how we keep our sanity when hot men are around.”
    “Is that what you did with me?” Grady asked.
    “No,” Sophie said, rolling her eyes in Mandy’s direction – a silent message passing between them. “Of course not.”
    “I knew it!”
    James stifled a grin. “Why don’t you go and invite her, baby. We’ll meet you at Charlie’s Tavern. It’s nice and low key, and the food is good.”
    “Okay,” Mandy said. “I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
    Finn still didn’t look convinced, but James forced him to leave anyway. He had no doubt that Mandy would succeed where his brother had failed.
     
    EMMA was so distracted with the gift the Aspen storeowner had given her – the jacket and pants at no cost – she didn’t notice Mandy approaching.
    “The outfit looks too good on you,” the man was explaining to Emma. “It’s like it was made for you.”
    Emma felt his hand brush her rear end. “Thank you, Mr. Anderson. That’s very generous of you.”
    “It is, isn’t it?”
    “I guess.”
    “How about you let me take you to dinner, and then I can be even more generous?”
    Emma stiffened. She was used to this. So many business owners had asked her out she couldn’t even remember all their faces – let alone their names. “I’m sorry, but I already have plans.”
    “With who?” Mr. Anderson clearly didn’t believe her.
    “With me,” Mandy interjected, stepping closer to Emma. “I was just waiting for her.”
    Anderson took a step back. “I’m sorry, I didn’t see you standing there. And you are?”
    “Amanda Avery,” Mandy said, shooting him a dark look. “Are you ready for dinner, Emma? Everyone is waiting for us.”
    “Everyone?” Anderson pressed.
    “Yeah, there’s a whole group of us,” Mandy said.
    “Well, if there’s a group, maybe I’ll join you.”
    Emma was mortified. She was used to being degraded. Having Mandy see it, though, made her feel just about as low as any human being could get.
    Mandy’s smile was hard for Emma to read. “Okay. That’s sounds good. Just one thing, my boyfriend is crazy jealous. That last guy who showed up