Not the Stand In: A BBW New Adult Serial Romance (Not the Hot Chick series Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

been incredible.
    Cam, on the other hand, looked thoughtful. He tilted his head to gaze at her. "So…we good?"
    She hadn't expected that. "Better than good. Shouldn't we be?"
    He shrugged. "Oh, sure. Yeah."
    For some reason he seemed ill at ease. Had he expected something from her, something more? "It was amazing. Thanks."
    His smile didn't reach his eyes. "You're welcome. It was great for me, too." He snatched a quick kiss. "I'll head out first. When I knock, that means the coast is clear."
    "Okay. Don't forget your wallet."
    "Right." He scooped it off the floor and jammed it back into his pocket. "Don't forget your panties."
    She huffed a laugh. "Like I would."
    He opened the door a crack, peered outside, and made his escape. Layla found her panties and slipped them on when she heard the tap on the door. After grabbing her purse, she stepped to the door and peeked into the hall. The coast was clear.
    She must look a mess. Pushing back her hair, she turned left in the direction of the ladies' room instead of heading back to the main area.
    She grimaced when she caught a glimpse of herself in the bathroom mirror. Her blonde hair was a tangled mop, her lipstick destroyed, her lips kiss-swollen. Anybody looking at her would know what she'd been doing. But when she saw how her eyes sparkled and her skin glowed, her grimace turned to a grin. Damn, she was tempted to march into the barroom with her bad self right this minute. Let them all see what a satisfied, freshly laid woman looked like. They'd be jealous as hell.
    She shook her head as she pulled a comb from her purse. Nah. Why make them all feel bad? Anyway, this was her little secret. Hers and Cam's. Another memory to warm her on a cold, lonely night.
    Her smile melted away as a small wave of regret rippled through her. Too bad a memory was all it could be. But she had to be realistic. She'd made the mistake of allowing herself to imagine a future with Cam the first time they'd hooked up. And just as she'd been dreaming of sharing breakfast and a long walk in the park, he'd been zipping his pants, getting ready to say good-bye and go home.
    Layla tugged the comb through her rat's nest and sighed. Cam was a hottie who had too many options when it came to women. Why would a guy settle for a plain old chocolate bar when he could have his fill of sourballs, jelly beans, licorice, and every kind of treat in the candy store?
    But she was good with that , because someday she'd meet a man to spend her life with, and chocolate would be his favorite flavor.
    All I have to do is find him.
    She slipped the comb into her purse and thrust back her shoulders with an encouraging nod to her reflection. Be happy. Cam never slept with Jessi, and he wasn't comparing you to her. Tonight you were nobody's stand-in.
    After pushing open the door, she stepped into the hall and marched toward the barroom, confidence in every step. As she reached the archway leading into the bar, she froze. Cam sat at their table with a fresh bottle. Across from him sat a smoking hot redhead, smiling and playing with her hair.
    Layla waited and tried to breathe through the disappointment that gathered size and weight as it traveled from her throat to her chest. At last it settled in her stomach, as large and heavy as a medicine ball. Let it pass. Just let it pass.
    She wasn't surprised, really. Hadn't she just told herself that Cam would always be surrounded by women? Hot, cute, sexy women would approach him, flirt with him, proposition him. She just hadn't expected to be confronted with the reality quite so soon.
    What would Jessi do? Storm out there, cause a scene, toss a drink in someone's face, and start some serious hair pulling. But she wasn't Jessi.
    No, she was Layla. And that was just fine.
    Thrusting her shoulders back one more time, she strutted over to the table with a big smile. She nodded at the redheaded hair-twirler and squeezed Cam's shoulder. "Take care, now."
    She heard a chair scrape the floor as