Just concentrate on me, it was easier said than done really. In any other situation Wes would have found it easy to focus on the little female. She was good looking. She was fun to talk to. There was nothing to hate about her really. He might even go for a girl like her … if Karma Atkins weren’t standing right in front of him. He could inhale the sweet scent of Piper’s shampoo but that couldn’t erase the knowledge that a stunning blonde was a few short feet away. His arms tightened fractionally. In response to that … or perhaps the presence of Evolotte, Piper tightened her hold on his arms.

Wes looked over at Evolette rather than Karma. He knew he could trust himself on that front. He met her gaze with a warning glare. She was in on the charade along with him and Piper. He knew that she was close to Karma … but his hardly hurt her friend. Anyway she’d known him longer! She wasn’t allowed to ruin his fun! This was about Emiliano, and Ev agreed that the boy needed some sense knocked into him.

For a fraction of a second his eyes passed over Karma. Wesley tensed and looked away. He wasn’t sure what she was thinking. He wasn’t sure he wanted to know what she was thinking … anyway, it wasn’t like he didn’t have an argument ready. He was cocky enough to pull it off … most of the time. “What? Did you expect her to just sit around forever, waiting for a guy that isn’t good enough for her?” He thought. It was clear that Karma was disgusted in some way by his attention to Piper. It was like they had both turned purple or something. Like she knew it was all an act. It was just an awkward situation!

Sucking in another deep breath, Wes turned back to the small female in his arms. He leaned down once more to her ear. “Relax a little. She doesn’t bite.” Wes coached her, then gently squeezed the arm just under his fingertips.