A Safe Space (Someone Else's Fairytale Book 4) by E.M. Tippetts Read Free Book Online Page A

a chance with a girl like this?”
    That comment takes a full five seconds to sink in. First of all, it hits me that it’s a compliment. Then it hits me that it’s a very high compliment. Devon’s not the kind of person who advertises things (or people) he can’t do. Third comes the realization that it’s also an insult to the redhead and a means for him to throw me under the bus so that she will scratch my eyes out and not his.
    “Ignore him,” I say. “He knows you’d see through him on a second date, so he’s cutting you off now. He isn’t worth your time.”
    She blinks, processing that.
    “Thanks for slapping him,” I add. “He needs it.”
    “It’s illegal,” mutters Devon. “You can’t just go around hitting people you disagree with.”
    “I’m a girl,” says the redhead.
    “So?”
    She turns to me again and rolls her eyes. “Don’t ever hook up with this guy.”
    “He’s got a great act, doesn’t he?”
    “Yes, he does.” She struts off down the hall towards the exit. Given that she wasn’t in workout clothes and didn’t have a bag, I assume she came here just to confront him.
    I realize now that it looks like I got in line to be Devon’s next victim.
    “What do you want, Veronica?” he says with his usual, arrogant smirk.
    I open my mouth then shut it.
    His demeanor shifts back to nice mode. “What happened?” Those hazel eyes search mine, and he takes a step closer.
    I take a deep breath and force myself to be logical. This is the wrong person to confide in. If I need to talk to someone, I should call Kyra.
    “Lizzie?” he presses.
    I don’t resist as he takes me by the arm and pulls me into that broom closet. “You drag a lot of women in here?” I ask. “It kinda looks bad.”
    “I’m sorry.” He shuts the door, turns, and shrugs. “This is the closest place to get some privacy. What’s going on?”
    “Sorry to insult you out there.”
    He shrugs again as if he genuinely doesn’t care. “You want some ice cream?” he asks.
    “Um, no. I’m sure you’ve got work to do.”
    “Not really. Natalie was my four thirty.” He nods in the direction of the exit the redhead stormed out of just moments ago. “And I do have ice cream. You want some?”
    “How do you plan to keep your job if you keep screwing all your clients?”
    “No, I don’t ever get involved with clients or anyone who comes to this gym. I’ve had people start coming or sign up to work with me after a date sometimes.” Again, he shrugs like this is just one of those things. This guy has a very selective sense of morality, which is yet another reason I shouldn’t be in a closet with him. “You look stressed,” he says. “You want to talk?”
    I shouldn’t, but my actual response is a shrug.
    “How’s your day been?” he asks.
    “They told us how they’re going to rework my show.”
    “Oh yeah?”
    “They’re going to make it more…sexy, and I don’t have sex appeal.”
    He chuckles. “Yeah you do.”
    “Not like what they’re looking for.”
    “I’m sure you’ll be fine. But if you need ice cream to lift your spirits, just say the word.”
    “Why are you being nice to me?”
    “I’m a fan.”
    “Of Clues? The pilot hasn’t even aired yet.”
    His eyes twinkle. “Of Veronica Pryce.”
    Yeah, here we go. He’s in mockery mode again. I bat my eyes, all innocence. “Oh my gosh, I didn’t know you were gay. I thought all those girls were getting mad at you because—”
    “I am definitely not gay.”
    “You just like excuses to wear pink?”
    “Very funny.”
    “I’ve got leftover pink sweatshirts from my last tour—”
    In a flash, his smile gives way to an angry glare. “Pass.”
    “Okay, sorry,” I backpedal. “I was just joking around.”
    “Whatever.” He’s offended now.
    “I’m sorry,” I repeat. “Thanks for being nice. I kind of needed that.”
    “Yeah, sure. You want ice cream or not?”
    “Do you have some you’re really desperate to get rid of