His Three-Day Girlfriend novel · Chapter 8 of 24

Chapter 8: Bridget

"Nice to meet you," I said, and took my hand back slowly, the way you'd take back a coat.

Colin's smile didn't change.

I had always loved that about him, and I knew now what it was.

It was the smile of a man who had never once been afraid of me.

"And this is Poppy," he said. "She's my girlfriend. She's a total sweetheart."

"Hi, Merry!" Poppy pressed the vinyl rabbit into my hands. "Number ninety-two. Isn't he precious?"

"Thank you so much," I said.

I held the rabbit like it was the first gift anyone had ever given me.

"Merry." Elliot's voice came from the other end of the corridor.

He walked up fast, took my arm, and stood between me and the other two.

"We're leaving."

"Whoa." Colin raised both hands, grinning. "Protective. I love it."

"He's in love, Colin," Poppy sang.

"Sure he is," Colin said easily. "Just remember the schedule, buddy. Saturday at four, Dane's in. No sentiment before then."

Elliot's grip on my arm turned to iron.

"I know the schedule."

"Good man."

Colin winked at me over Elliot's shoulder.

I smiled back at him.

In the car I held the rabbit in my lap and counted to twenty before I spoke.

"I'm starving," I said. "Could we have pancakes? There's a diner with a blue sign on Ninth Street. I think I remember it."

Elliot's eyes cut to me.

"You remember it."

"I think I do." I tilted my head. "Is that bad?"

For a moment he looked like a man balancing on a ledge.

"No," he said. "It's good. We'll go."

The Ninth Street Diner smelled of bacon and floor polish.

Elliot took a stool at the counter, where he could see the door and the corridor to the restrooms, and ordered coffee for two.

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