My phone dinged loudly. I fumbled around my bed, finally finding the damn thing under a pillow. Wiping the sleep off my face, I rolled onto my back and read the text that had pulled me out of a pleasant sleep. I smiled. It was just so … Parker. Settling in, I answered her.

RhysThis: Don’t have to tell me who you are. Your number is programmed on my phone. What do you want?

AngryTink: Well, good morning to you too, Happy Pants.

My smile turned into an evil grin. The girl was always going to punch back and make it count.

RhysThis: That’s Mr. Happy Pants. Though, TBH, my pants aren’t too happy at the moment. Want to help me out with that?

AngryTink: Tempting. Truly. But, no.

RhysThis: RU sure? ‘Cuz Happy Pants Rhys is much more agreeable than Sad That He Had to Self-Satisfy Rhys.

AngryTink: Would you please behave?

RhysThis: I’m not the one who mentioned the emotional state of my pants.

AngryTink: ARGH!

A chuckle rumbled in my chest as my thumbs tapped out a response I knew would piss her off more.

RhysThis: Was that even English? Honestly, Ms. Brown, I thought you were educated.

She took a moment to answer. I could picture her, phone in hand, grinding her teeth.

AngryTink: You’re deliberately trying to annoy me, aren’t you?

RhysThis: You’re quick. I’ll give you that.

AngryTink: Mr. Morgan, I’m about ten seconds away from finding an alternate fake boyfriend. A goat on a rope would be a better candidate at this point.

It was cute she thought that was threatening.

RhysThis: Yeah, probably. But the goat doesn’t have a signed contract. I do, Tinker Bell.

AngryTink: ARGH@!!

RhysThis: You’re kind of cute when you talk pirate.

She didn’t answer. Rubbing my chest, I sat up in bed and tried again.

RhysThis: Parker? You there?

RhysThis: Parker?

Hell. Maybe I pushed too far. Or maybe she dropped her phone. Or threw it. She might have thrown it.

RhysThis: You really going to give up that easily?

The phone rang in my hand, startling me. Parker Brown. I guess we were through with texting.

“You missed the sound of my voice, didn’t you?” I asked.

Hers was crisp with irritation. “My thumbs got tired. Would you please behave yourself for a moment, Morgan?”

“Misbehaving is much more fun.”

“Be that as it may, I have business to discuss.”

So fucking proper. It shouldn’t have turned me on. But it did. Which was unfortunate. Scowling, I hauled myself out of bed and walked toward the kitchen. Coffee was in order. Coffee and a good dose of reality. Flirting with Parker Brown was a stupid idea.

“All right,” I said, filling the carafe. “What’s up?”

“We’ve been invited to a cocktail party tonight.”

“Aw, look at us, already getting invited to places as a couple.”