Apparently, not Ford.
They were nearly the same height, but the similarities ended there. Clyde was big and bulky, Ford was lean and athletic.Clyde’s dark hair and eyes were a stark contrast to Ford’s blond hair and mesmerizing green eyes.
Mesmerizing? No, that was ridiculous. Nothing mesmerizing about the man at all.
Interrupting their silent stare down, she came forward—and was immediately snagged again by Ford, who treated her to a warm kiss on her temple.
“What she says, goes,” Ford explained. “And we both know she’s been clear.”
Clyde’s expression hardened. “I’m not buying it.”
“It?” Ford asked.
“The idea of you two together. The touching and kissing.”
Her heart seized up. Of course, he knew better. In a moment of weakness, she’d explained a few things to Clyde. Now he’d use that knowledge against her? No, no, no. Hoping to reason with him, she said, “Clyde—”
“Maybe if you weren’t laying it on so thick, I’d be convinced. I mean, new sidekick? Yeah, that I’d believe. Skye doesn’t like to attend parties alone. But this?” He gestured at Ford’s arm around her. “I was with her first, so I know better.”
Wishing the floor would swallow her up, Skye tried to withdraw.
Instead of letting her go, Ford tightened his hold. “Whatever you think you know,” he said, his voice low, “I suggest you get your belongings and get out.”
Dismissing him as unimportant, Clyde stared only at Skye. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but have you laid out the rules to him?”
No, she hadn’t, because as he’d said, this show with Ford wasn’t real. And she’d been right. Clyde wasn’t fooled.
In an oddly protective gesture, Ford stepped in front of her, which meant Clyde had to step back. “Rules that applied toyou,” Ford said. “Seriously, dude, I’m sorry. You got stuck in the friendzone, and that had to burn, but it’s over. Just gather up your pride and go.”
Furious, Clyde shook his head. “Not that easy.” To Skye, he said, “I’ll see you at the restaurant next week, and at Mel’s party after that.” He completely ignored Ford. “And whenever I shop.”
In other words, he intended to haunt her everywhere she went. Would she ever be rid of him?
Bunching his muscles, Ford warned, “Those plans sound an awful lot like stalking.”
“Stalking?” he scoffed. “Her friends are my friends, and vice versa. We’re both invited to the party. And I’ve bought plenty of gifts at the boutique.” His smile was far from friendly. “Isn’t that right, Skye?”
Things were getting completely out of control. Having another man around hadn’t discouraged Clyde at all. He actually seemed to feel challenged to prove something.
She was pondering how to end this visit when Ford did the unthinkable.
He stepped into Clyde’s space.
Though his tone was casual, antagonism charged the air. “One way or another, your ass is going on the other side of the door. You decide how that’s going to happen.”
“Ford.” Hadn’t she made it clear that this wasn’t to be a violent confrontation? Clyde wasn’t a pushover; anyone could see that. Ford, however, spoke as if he didn’t have a single doubt of his own ability.
What in the world had gotten into him?
Unimpressed, Clyde laughed, but he also took a step back. “Don’t worry, Skye. I won’t mess up his face.” He grabbed up the box, then paused to stare at her. “He doesn’t know you like I do. He doesn’t understand your insecurities. If he did, he wouldn’t be here.”
Probably true. She couldn’t look at Ford, but then, he wasn’t looking at her either. All his attention was fixed on Clyde.
“When he walks,” Clyde added, “and we both know he will, I’ll still be around. Give me a call.”
“Why don’t you hold your breath?” Done being passive in this awful confrontation, Skye pressed forward to stand beside Ford. “I’d always thought you were nice, but you taught me better, didn’t you?”
For only a second, Clyde appeared hurt. Then he went out the door, and she closed it firmly behind him, turned the lock, and stepped away. A few seconds later, they heard him gun the engine, back out of her driveway, and accelerate away.
