Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 29192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29192 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 146(@200wpm)___ 117(@250wpm)___ 97(@300wpm)
“More,” he fills in for me, making me smile.
“Yeah, maybe more,” I agree.
“What would your more be?” Heat fills my cheeks. I pick up my drink and take a sip. “Come on, out with it.” Dylan’s smile has me breaking. I'm beginning to realize how good he is at it.
“Maybe write.” I shrug, wanting to play it down.
“What about?” He leans in closer, as if we're about to share a secret. I suppose we are because I have never told another soul this before.
“Our secret?”
“Promise.” This time it’s me that’s leaning in.
“Romance,” I whisper.
“Love,” Dylan whispers back, his eyes lowering to my lips. Is he going to kiss me? My heart picks up, starting to race. Then his phone goes off.
“Shit, sorry.” He jerks back. “That’s my mom's ringtone. I have to answer.”
“Of course.” I lean back into my chair, taking a sip of my drink.
“I’ll be right back,” Dylan says as he stands. “Don’t go anywhere.”
“Promise,” I respond, making him smile as he answers the call, stepping away from the table and toward the bathroom, where there is a hallway that is quieter.
“What was that?” Frankie asks the second Dylan is out of earshot.
“Yeah, what was that?” Kaden is right there with her, eager to know.
“Why did you say it like that?” Frankie turns her question to Kaden. I don’t know if these two are flirting or fighting at this point.
“I just didn’t expect it. He’s—"
“Started without us again?” Luna asks, cutting right in. Crap. I’d totally forgotten she and Julie were meeting us.
“You’re late.” Frankie takes a sip of her beer. “Grab the table.” She points to one next to ours. “I’m talking to you, big guy.” She bumps her shoulder into Kaden’s.
“You’re bossy.” He grumbles but gets up. I see a whisper of a smile on Frankie’s lips before she quickly covers it by taking another sip of her beer.
“Thanks,” Julie and Luna tell Kaden as he moves the other table in with ours.
“You’re in a better mood, I see,” I say to Julie, who is all smiles tonight. I think she might be glowing too. Does good sex make you glow? Dylan flashes through my mind. Wow, I need to get it under control, or maybe for tonight I don't. He really does seem genuine and sweet.
“Well, the boyfriend and I—”
“Sorry about that,” Dylan says, returning to the table.
“Dylan?!” Julie squeals. “Oh my gosh. I didn’t know you’d be here.” She proactively throws herself at him. My stomach sinks.
That’s the boyfriend. No longer the ex.
Chapter Five
DYLAN
Itry not to grimace as I peel Julie off me.
“Luna told me it was a bad idea to go and see you the other night, but I didn’t listen. I’m sorry I didn’t listen.” She pats Luna on the shoulder.
The glossy blonde shrugs. “If it works for you, it’s all good.”
“Luna was right,” I say. “We’re broken up, so you should not be crashing at my place after a night of drinking. Listen to your friend.”
I try to emphasize the broken-up bit for Natalie, who has gone from looking at me with wet lips and hot eyes to a pinched, unhappy expression. Kaden’s eyes bounce from one person to another until he arrives at the probably correct conclusion that I’m screwed.
“We out of here?” The only move he makes is the arch of his eyebrow.
Given how close he’s positioned himself to the brown-haired girl, Frankie, he does not want to leave. Like any good friend would do, I sit my ass back down. “Nah. We just ordered, and since you haven’t signed your new contract yet, this is probably the only drink we can afford.”
“If you took in more clients, you wouldn’t have these cash flow issues.” Julie shakes her head mournfully.
“True.” I’m done explaining myself to her.
“I’ll cover your shot.” Kaden grins. He’s enjoying this and is recording every word to repeat at our next poker meet.
“It’s not this one drink that matters, though, is it?” Julie will not let up. “It’s every time we go out. Will Kaden always be there to pay your way?”
“Yes.” If he’s going to get so much pleasure out of my pain, then he damned well better be paying.
“I’m good for at least five more happy hours. After that, we’ll have to renegotiate.” Kaden’s almost laughing now.
“That will just make you both uncomfortable until you get to the point that you don’t even want to go out anymore. Your friendship will wither and your self-esteem will plummet, and soon you’ll just be holed up in your living room with your lights off, eating ice cream straight out of the tub,” Julie cries.
A pall descends on the table. Natalie stares at her hands. Kaden’s shit-eating grin has slid off. I take a big gulp of my drink. Julie has issues that stem far beyond my current career choices.