Taming the Montana Millionaire by Teresa Southwick

curved up the corners of Carleigh’s mouth.
    Haley wasn’t surprised when once again she felt a twinge of jealousy in her chest.
    â€œI didn’t notice,” she lied.
    â€œYou’re kidding, right?”
    Haley’s cheeks heated when she realized it was the second time in the last couple of days that she’d been caught. Marlon had seen through her when she’d claimed not to remember kissing him. In her mind, she could still picture that moment when their lips touched. It hadn’t been her only kiss, but nothing else had even come close to the way Marlon had made her heart race and her body hum. And she had thought far too much about doing it again.
    He’d said she wouldn’t admit that there was something simmering between them, and he was right about that. She refused to let it be true. Even if it were, there was no point in admitting as much. It would just make everything harder when he was gone.
    Now Carleigh accused her of not telling the truth. Was it still a lie if the person it was directed at didn’t believe you?
    â€œOkay. You’re right. I have noticed. He’s pretty cute.”
    â€œBut?” Carleigh frowned.
    â€œWhat makes you think there’s a ‘but’?”
    â€œI can tell by the look on your face. What’s wrong, Haley?”
    â€œI like him.”
    Carleigh toyed with her paper napkin and started to shred it. “And that’s bad…why?”
    â€œBecause it’s not good,” she hedged.
    â€œAgain I ask…why?”
    â€œHe’s not staying. And even if he were, he’s experienced with women.”
    â€œSo?”
    â€œI’m not. Experienced with men, I mean.” She met the other woman’s gaze and the words came tumbling out. “I was too busy studying in high school to date. Then I went away to college and met a guy. We were heading in that direction—”
    â€œYou mean sex?”
    â€œYeah.” Again heat flared in her cheeks. “My mom always said I should wait, make sure I loved the person before taking the step.”
    â€œAnd did you?”
    She shook her head. “I never had the chance. My mom was killed in the car accident and I came home to take care of Angie and Austin. That was the end of my college experience.”
    Carleigh knew her story, but the expression on her face was sympathetic. “And sex?”
    Haley couldn’t answer, just stared across the table, feeling the warmth of embarrassment creep up her neck.
    â€œYou’ve never had sex?” Carleigh asked, struggling unsuccessfully to act as if that didn’t make Haley a mutant in this day and age.
    â€œThe technical term is virgin.” She shrugged. “I’ve been raising my siblings and working. There’s been no time, energy, or even a guy who interested me.”
    â€œUntil now?” Carleigh’s eyebrow rose questioningly.
    Haley nodded miserably. “My lack of worldliness never bothered me before. But what if things between Marlon and me go there? What if he laughed at me?”
    Carleigh was making a pile of white confetti with her napkin as she thought about what to say. “Can we agree that I’m a pretty good judge of character?”
    Haley knew her friend saw all kinds of people and sized them up quickly and accurately. “Yes.”
    â€œOkay. I observed your Marlon interacting with those teenagers and did not see a man who would hurt a woman’s feelings by laughing at her. He appeared to be sensitive, smart and insightful.”
    â€œOkay.”
    She looked at the watch on her wrist and sighed. “I’ve got to run. But let me leave you with this thought. Life is not a spectator sport.”
    True enough, thought Haley. But if one just observed there was little danger of getting beaned by a fastball. Status quo didn’t rip your heart out or turn your life upside down. She knew how that felt and was determined to stay in status