“What do you mean?” I ask as I keep myself facing his shoulder.
“You’re at your boyfriend’s engagement party to your sister. It would be understandable if you were freaking the fuck out. Though, I gotta say, from the outside, you’re playingit off well.”
I lean away from him a moment, watching him assessingly.
“You don’t like me,” I state.
It’s not a question, not a probing curiosity. Just a fact.
He shakes his head as he gently turns us with each sway.
“On the contrary, I actually do a lot. You seem good for him. I’ve never seen him this way about anyone, ever.”
“But?” I hedge.
His eyes come down to mine as he speaks.
“He’s the best man I know, he’d walk through fire for the ones he loves and something tells me you’ve earned your way to the top of that list extremely fast. You have the power in your pinky to destroy him. Please don’t.”
I frown at his words as he swings me out for a spin before returning me back to his arms.
“I wouldn’t. I couldn’t. I…he’s the one that holds the power to destroy, believe me.”
His mouth twitches like he wants to smile at that as he nods.
“For what it’s worth, I’m rooting for the two of you.”
“Thanks, Jake.”
Jake nods as his eyes go over my head before mischief fills his features.
“Want to fuck with him a bit?”
“Hm?” I ask.
“Don’t hit me,” he says before leaning down and placing a lingering kiss to my cheek.
Within seconds, a body comes diving between us, shoving us apart. A few heads turn but it’s nothing too obvious as Nico grips Jake’s suit tightly, snarling through clenched teeth.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”
Jake laughs and shakes his head.
“Just dancing with a pretty girl.”
Carly comes over quickly, tugging on Nico’s arm.
“What the hell, Nicholas! You can’t just leave me to roughhouse with your friend. You’re embarrassing me!” she practically shrieks.
Every head that wasn’t turned in our direction certainly is now. The second hand embarrassment is so fucking strong.
“Hey, lower your voice there, sweetheart,” my dad says as he dances with my mom beside us.
“Daddy, not now!” she seethes.
“Yeah, dad. We have to let her throw a full tantrum or she has to start all over,” I snark.
Her eyes come to me, vicious intent before her gaze falters, flicking down to my neck as a steeliness enters her gaze.
