Free Tailored for Trouble: A Romantic Comedy (Happy Pants) by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

him, hurt her neck.
    “I warned you to call me Mr. Wade,” he replied.
    “So?”
Wait. Stay on task, Taylor.
“Never mind. I’m here to tell you that I’m returning the check.”
    “Why?” He crossed his arms over his chest.
    “Because you don’t give a crap about anybody—you never have and you never will. That’s why.”
    “That’s a bit extreme. I merely happen to be very selective about whom I give my time and energy to, and I make no secret of that. What’s brought about this temper tantrum, Ms. Reed?”
    Temp—temper tantrum? Going to hurt him. Going to hurt him.
“Don’t pretend you don’t know,” she snapped, clenching her fists to keep them at her side. “And stop the holier-than-thou routine. It’s offensive. But maybe you can’t help it because that’s just what you are: offensive.”
    His blue eyes twitched with irritation. “I’m truly at a loss as to what’s brought on your dramatic eruption. Are you offended because I’d planned to send a car for you so you wouldn’t have to worry about having a little champagne tonight? Was it because I know you lost your job and didn’t think it fair to have you run out and spend a thousand dollars on a ball gown or—” His cellphone must’ve vibrated in his pocket because he reached inside and held up his index finger. “One moment,” he said to Taylor.
    The nerve of this guy!
How dare he answer his phone when she was about to tear him a new one!
    “Yes?” He listened for a moment. “This is a bad time, Mom. Can’t we speak when you get here?” He listened again. “Why are you obsessing over these damned cookies?” He shook his head slightly. “Yes, that’s interesting, but I have to go. Taylor and I are in the middle of something.” He paused. “I’ll let her know.” He ended the call and returned his cell to the inside pocket of his tux. “Sorry about that, but my mother’s been a little off lately so I thought I should take it. She sends her regards by the way. Now. Where were we?”
    “
We
were nowhere,” she replied. “Because I don’t appreciate being used and manipulated merely so you can buy Lady Mary Fragrances. And tell your mother I said ‘hi’ back.” That was nice of him to take her call.
    “I will let her know.” A wicked little twinkle sparked in his eyes. “So is Lady Mary what’s got your self-righteous feathers ruffled?” He placed his hand on her upper arm. It was a gesture far too friendly for her taste. And she liked it.
    She jerked back her shoulder, and he released his grip. “You’re denying that you hired me to be some sort of…of…feminist tutor? Because I know there’s no way a woman like Mary Rutherford would ever go into business with a man like you.”
    “Well, that wasn’t very nice,” he said cockishly and grinned.
    Taylor snarled with her eyes.
    Bennett sighed and dropped the smile. “Ms. Reed, I don’t have time for this right now. As you can see I have a thousand guests to greet and the priority this evening is raising money for my charity. But if you stick around, just for another hour until I’ve given the speech, I promise to explain everything.”
    “I don’t think so—”
    “You’ve accused me of lying. The least you could do is provide me an opportunity to tell the truth.” He smiled, but this time it was another of those genuine, charming smiles that felt like being hit with a hammer. A hammer made from a hot man in a tux.
    Her knees went a little shaky, and she once again felt herself succumbing to the hope that she might find a real live beating heart inside his chest.
Dammit. I’m such a sucker.
“Fine. I’ll stay for a little while.”
    “Good. I’ll return shortly.” Bennett turned and headed back into the crowd. Taylor remained where she was, watching with fascination how he entranced the guests with his smiles and charisma, reducing each person to a little glob of happy putty.
    Once again, she just didn’t know what to make of it. The man was