Deciding my friend really doesn’t trust me to meet his girl, I turn my attention to Sammie, quickly slapping a hand on his shoulder. My pocket vibrates, so I drop my arm and pull out my phone. Smiling to myself when I see Lailani’s nickname on my screen.
Killer Woman:
Why didn’t you tell me you were in town?
She insists we aren’t friends. Her text would suggest otherwise.
Me:
That seems like something a friend would do, and we are not friends, remember?
Killer Woman:
You really need to let that go. How long are you staying?
Me:
Until I leave.
I pocket my phone and laugh again, picturing how twisted up all the unknowns are making her.
I sit at the bar. My eyes glued to the woman on the stage. But I have no interest in the entertainment. What does have my interest is the reason my friend is lying to me.
“Who is she?” I ask, calling him out.
“Who is who?” Louie looks around the room.
“The one who has your balls in her clutches. You haven’t even blinked at any of 'em.” I wave a hand towards the stage. “And I know you. If you’re not interested in anything on the menu here, you have someone else. Who is she?”
“Sheis none of your business,” he says with a clenched jaw.
“Ah, so I was right. You went and found yourself a wife. Never thought I’d see the fucking day.” I shake my head.
“I don’t have a wife.” The asshole rolls his eyes at me. He’s fucking lucky he’s my friend. Otherwise those eyeballs would be rolling around on the goddamn ground.
“If she’s special enough for you to want to hide her from your friends, and you clearly aren’t interested in other options, then maybe she should be made a wife.”
“What the fuck would you know about wife material? Your longest relationship has been… what? Five hours?” he scoffs.
Two years. Laura and I dated for two years before I failed her. “I don’t have a need or a want for a wife,” I say, instead of correcting him. I don’t want to think about her. Especially not in this city.
“And I do?” He raises a brow at me.
“If you found someone willing to put up withyour sorry ass, keep her. She’s clearly one of a kind.” My laughter is loud, overtaking the music.
“Fuck off. It’s not that serious,” he grumbles.
“Sure it’s not. Where is she?”
“Not here,” Louie grunts.
My eyes close tighter as I stare at him and my hand lifts to rest over my heart. “You don’t trust me? I’m hurt.”
“I don’t trust anyone. You know that.” Louie shakes his head.
It’s true. It’s also smart. “We’ve been friends for a long time, Louie,” I remind him. “There are very few people I would consider a friend. You are one of them. I wouldn’t do anything to someone important to you.”Unless they gave me a reason to.
“Unless you wanted to get at me for something,” he says, as if he can read my thoughts. “Women and children aren’t off-limits in your organization.”
