“Right … I know you’re a grumpy son of a bitch on the best of days, but what is your problem, Ford?”
And then his eyes flash with sudden realisation.
“Ohhh …”
“No,” I say immediately. “Don’t you say a goddamn word.”
Jensen’s brows lift, a slow, knowing smirk stretching across his face.
“… you’re in love,” he teases, dragging out the word like it’s the most absurd thing in the world.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” I snap, practically tossing his beer across the table at him before shooting up from my seat. “I’m going to the restroom.”
I don’t wait for a response. I just move. Quickly. In the opposite direction to the bar.
I shove open the restroom door, startling an old man at the urinals, and I stride toward the sinks, gripping the counter, and staring at my reflection before throwing water on my face. Droplets slide down my skin, dripping from my nose, pooling against the porcelain. I inhale. I don’t know what the hell my problem is. What’s happening to me? She’s just a woman.
I have to pull myself together.
I’m not interested. That’s the line I have to keep telling myself. She’s a city girl—nothing about her fits into my world. She’ll get bored here, restless. Pack up and leave the second the quiet starts to feel like a cage.That’s what people like her do. Except, damn it, I can still feel the way she bumped into me this morning. That tiny gasp when she hit my chest … and the way it made me want to hear that sound again, but under very different circumstances.
After having a harsh word with myself, I stride back to the table and do my best to shake it off. To settle. To breathe. But then … my eyes betray me, and I glance at the bar. Or rather, at someone at the bar.
Will.
My blood boils at the sight of him. He’s John’s son and a man who thinks the world revolves around his reflection. Arrogant, selfish, and utterly in love with himself. And right now? He’s leaning in close, talking to Stormy.
She laughs. I can’t hear it above the pulse of the music, but I see it.
A sharp unexpected pang of jealousy claws up my stomach, and I grunt under my breath tearing my eyes away.
I try to lose myself in conversation with Jensen, through the ridiculous stories he spills between bursts of laughter. And for a while, it works. Until my gaze begins to flick back to the bar. Will is still there. Still talking. Still looking entirely too comfortable with Stormy.
Missy, though I can tell she’s less than thrilled, is making an effort. She’s kind, and always polite, even when she doesn’t particularly like someone.
But then … he touches Stormy.
His fingers graze her arm, and I notice the way she subtly recoils. It’s small. Barely noticeable. But I see it, the slight hesitation before she pulls away, and before she carefully moves out of reach. Will doesn’t notice. He’stoo deep in conversation, grinning, laughing, charming his way through it. And then … Stormy smiles. Nods. As if she’s enjoying herself.
I force my attention back to Jensen, though the words barely register. He’s mid rant about some guy he went on a date with last week—something about a bizarre clown collection that sent him running for the hills. I laugh, but its half-hearted.
“Ford, you’re not listening to me,” he accuses, narrowing his eyes.
“I am,” I lie, shaking my head.
But then, I see it. Will wraps his arm around Stormy. Her smile falters as his hand finds her waist, pulling her in closer, pressing his mouth near her ear as he murmurs something again. It isn’t forceful, but what the hell does he think he’s doing? Just because she’s been laughing, nodding along, enjoying the conversation, it doesn’t mean it’s an open invitation to touch her.
Something hot and sharp rises in my throat, and I stand abruptly.
“Uhh… I’m gonna get another drink. You want anything?” I ask Jensen, ignoring his startled look.
He raises a brow.
“Since when do you willingly offer to buy a round?”
I let out an awkward laugh, glancing back toward the bar. Jensen barely has time to reply before I decide for him.
“I’ll get you a beer,” and I stride toward the bar, deliberately positioning myself on the other side of Stormy.
