Free The Friends We Keep (Mischief Bay) by Susan Mallery Page A

in his various stories. He seemed to be genuinely enjoying the kids. When it was time for the cake to be cut, he did that himself and served it to all the kids and counselors.
    Nicole wanted to say it was because she’d frightened him, but she had a feeling his actions had nothing to do with her. He was too easy with the children. Too comfortable. He must do these parties a lot, she thought, wondering if they were part of his deal with his publisher, or if he chose to interact with his littlest fans.
    The afternoon wore on. She kept to the fringes of the event, watching but not getting involved. This was Tyler’s moment. He reveled in the joy of being close to Jairus. The questions never let up, but the man took them in stride. Despite their disastrous meeting, Nicole had to admit Jairus was good at what he did.
    Probably because he was so rested from counting all his money.
    After about an hour, the goody bags were passed out. Jairus read the new book to everyone, then patiently signed every copy. Parents started arriving to pick up their kids. A few went over to meet him. He shook hands and posed for pictures.
    One of the camp counselors walked over to join Nicole. “He’s so hot,” the twenty-year-old said with a sigh. “I tried to give him my number, but he wouldn’t take it.”
    “You’re probably too wholesome,” Nicole muttered.
    “What?”
    “Nothing. Sorry. I was thinking of something else.”
    “He’s been so great with the kids.”
    “He has.”
    She said the words reluctantly, but there was no denying the truth. Either Jairus truly liked children or he was the best actor on the planet. And as she refused to give him any credit for talent or ability, she was left with the uncomfortable fact that he seemed to really like children. And didn’t that suck?
    She wanted him to be pure evil. Or just slimy. Except for the hooker thing, he’d done well.
    As the campers left to go home, the crowd around Jairus shrank. Tyler lingered and Nicole didn’t hurry him, knowing this was important to him. They would leave when Jairus did. Tyler would want every second with his hero.
    As she watched, Jairus said something to Tyler, then walked toward her.
    “You look less hostile,” he said as he approached.
    “I didn’t want to scare the kids.”
    “You’re still mad.”
    “No. I appreciate you did a good job here.” Man, that was hard to say.
    “Thanks. I am sorry.”
    She looked at him without speaking.
    He shoved his hands into his jeans front pockets. “This is the part where you say it was pretty funny and no big deal.”
    “That’s not going to happen.”
    “Can I buy you a cup of coffee by way of an apology?”
    His eyes were beautiful, she thought absently. He was obviously of mixed race—kind of a common thing in LA. She wondered about his heritage. A little something of everything, she would guess.
    “Nicole?”
    “What? No.” That sounded rude. “Um, no, thank you.”
    “Can I get your number?”
    She stared at him. “Why?”
    He smiled. A sweet smile with just a hint of sexy. A smile that made her insides feel funny and her knees go just a little weak.
    What? No! No way and no. She was not attracted to the evil, awful author of Brad the Dragon . She hated him. Hated. There was no way she was interested.
    “To go out? I don’t know you and you have friends who send you hookers.”
    “I only thought they did. There’s a difference.”
    “Not much of one. The fact that you thought they did means they’re capable of it. Those are not people I want hanging around my son. You did good here today. That’s all I wanted. The rest of it doesn’t matter.”
    “So that’s a no?”
    “That’s a no.”
    “You’re tempted, though. A little?”
    “Don’t you have to be somewhere?”
    “Not really. And you do know me. Through my work.”
    She thought about the endless hours she’d spent reading his books aloud. “That doesn’t recommend you.”
    He surprised her by chuckling. “Not