Excerpt: Gil and Leah

Chapter 1: In Which a Problem With the Plan is Encountered

“You have got to be kidding me.” The look on Leah’s face was one of absolute exasperation. “I mean, seriously. Who actually thinks that it’s okay to flirt with someone who is obviously engaged?”
Gil sighed, leaning back against the bed in the small inn room. “Gee, I don’t know, Lee. Probably the same kind of person who’s willing to scoundrel his way into marriage with the first pretty girl who happens to have a fortune.”
Leah glared at Gillian. “Thanks. Really, thanks a ton. I told you that this wouldn’t work.” She took off her cloak and threw it at Gillian, who ducked out of the way of the clothing projectile. She tossed back her head, blonde curls rippling back over her shoulders. “I can’t believe you talked me into this.”
“You probably shouldn’t be in here for too long,” Gillian commented. “Wouldn’t want loverboy to get the entirely wrong idea. After all, we can’t have your virginity compromised.”
Leah shot Gil a glare that might have been the sort of thing that got her quaking in her boots, were she a man and also interested in Leah. But she wasn’t either, though she was busy pretending to be both. Life was so confusing sometimes.
Leah continued her glare in Gil’s direction, but twelve years of dealing with her best friend had given Gil the ability to stand up to anything. All in all, she’d seen worse glares. Like the one her best friend had given her when Gillian had first approached Leah with the idea that had gotten them caught in the current predicament. She had survived that glare, so of course she had the ability to survive this one as well. Gil just looked blankly ahead. She’d practiced this tactic before. Sooner or later, Leah would just give up.
Like she just had. The petite girl groaned in frustration and stomped her foot on the ground, hard enough that the nearby armoire shook. Gill just looked forward and shook her head. “Really, Leah, what will T think you’re doing in here for so long? In a man’s personal apartment? Especially a man to whom you are only engaged?”
The glare returned briefly. “I liked you better when you were just a woman.” She picked up her coat, shrugged it back on, and walked out the room, slamming the door behind her.