Jack: Really? Is that why you texted?
Katherine: Yes!
Jack: Are you sure?
Katherine: Why else would I have texted?
Jack: To offer to suck another body part of mine later …
Katherine: OMG, no, you didn’t!
Jack: You’re correct. I didn’t do the sucking … you did. :)
I gasp as I stare at my phone screen. My face is bright red, and I’m grateful that Willow is not looking at me. I tried so hard to banish the memory of sucking on Jack’s thumb from my mind. It hadn’t been anything crazy, but still, it felt so erotic and wrong. Which it was, of course—wrong … not erotic. I’d sucked my boyfriend’s brother’s thumb in his parents’ house. Ishould have felt ashamed of myself; in actuality, I’d more felt embarrassment.
I couldn’t believe that Jack brought up that moment though. He still remembers.
“Did he respond?” Willow asks as we walk into the café, and Brielle jumps up with a wave.
“Yeah,” I say casually, smiling widely. “He said we’re all good and that we’re both down to forget the past and start over, so there you have it. Tonight will be amazing.”
“Yay.” Willow links her arm through mine. “I’m so happy. I just knew that you and Jack could both move on. He’s a great guy, and I’m glad we can all be friends.”
“Yeah, me too,” I squeak out, trying not to throw up.
I won’t be friends with Jack Heathcliff, especially not after those texts. The man is obviously determined to drive me crazy. He is definitely more foe than friend. In fact, I’d go so far as to say that he is fast becoming my enemy.
“Yay, you girls made it.” Willow steps forward in her emerald-green dress and hugs Brielle and me as we enter Sebastian’s apartment. There are lit candles scattered around the space, and I can smell a very delicious pot roast cooking. “You both look beautiful.”
“Thanks, Willow. You look amazing,” I say as I step to the side and wave at Sebastian, who is striding over to us with two glasses of wine.
He looks tall, dark, and dashing in his crisp gray shirt and slacks, and my heart melts as I see the loving way he stares at Willow. I’m so glad she found this all-encompassing love as she’d had such a horrible childhood.
“Hi, Brielle, Katherine. So glad you could both make it.” Sebastian hands us the glasses and grins widely. “Come on in. Let me introduce you to everyone.”
“Thanks,” I say as I hold the glass of white wine and drink quickly.
I’m nervous to see Jack, but as I survey the room, it appears as if he hasn’t yet arrived. There’s a record player in the living room, and I hear Ella Fitzgerald playing through the speakers.
“Hey, guys.” Sebastian steps forward. “This is Katherine, and this is Brielle. They are Willow’s best friends, and they just moved here from Whispering Haven. You met them all briefly the other day. Girls, you already know Santiago, Flynn, Nate, and Levi.”
“Hi.” I wave at them, and I’m surprised to see Brielle blushing as she gazes at them. Does she have a crush? I’ll have to ask her later, but I’m so curious.
I see another man standing next to Levi, and as he looks over at me, I realize he’s really good-looking and staring at me with a warm smile. I look over to Willow, and she grins.
“That’s Levi’s brother, Caleb,” Willow says with a smile. “Then that’s Rose, Ginny, and Samantha. Oh, and Jack’s in the bathroom.”
“Oh, okay.” My heart races at her words.
So, he’s here. Shit, I take a deep breath and flatten the skirt of my black dress down. Suddenly, I feel like I’m dressed far too provocatively. My neckline is low and plunging, and my dress ends mid-thigh. My heels are high, and my bright red lipstick screams,Look at me. I am dressed to impress, and yet I’m not sure if I want his attention.
“That’s good to know,” I say belatedly, pretending like I don’t care.
“Will you be okay? I need to check on the hors d’oeuvres.”
“Go, girl. I’m fine. Brielle and I can take care of ourselves.”
I grin at her and make my way into the living room so I can look out the window and just observe the view. I still can’t get over being in the city. It’s so different from back home. My sisters would love being here. They wouldn’t believe how luxurious Sebastian’s place is. Even I still can’t quite believe it.
