I looked at her with a shrug. “It’s new. I haven’t really told anyone about it.”
“But….” She looked like I’d just told her that the Tooth Fairy wasn’t real and that Santa spent his summer murdering the Easter Bunny and all his offspring. She leaned in close and whispered, not so quietly, “That’sGarrett Wilder. He’s the dating equivalent of a filet mignon. Whoever you’re dating is rump roast in comparison. Dump his ass.”
Garrett looked like it was taking everything in him not to burst into laughter. Like I said, Gina was hilarious.
I tried for nonchalance as I replied, “Sorry. I really like him.”
“How much do you like him?” Garrett fished. “I mean, you said it’s new, after all.”
“Exactly!” Gina yelped. “It’s new! You can’t like himthatmuch.”
“I like him a lot,” I told Garrett directly.
He hummed contentedly, sending a bolt of pleasure straight to my core. “He’s a lucky guy.” His eyes traveled up and down my body, and I felt them like a physical touch. “Verylucky.”
It was my turn to grin wickedly. “Oh, he really is. And something tells me he knows it too.”
“No doubt about that, baby.”
I was enjoying our banter so much I thought nothing could kill my good mood. But then the door to the café opened and another person walked in…
And everything went to shit.
TWENTY
“Gwen.I’m so glad you’re here. Can I talk to you for a minute?”
What happened next was the very reason the phrase “fuck my life” had been created, because it was definitely a “fuck my life”kind of moment.
Garrett’s head jerked around just as the man who’d ruined our moment stepped up to the counter. “Who the fuck are you?” he grunted savagely.
Steve turned to Garrett, his upper lip curling derisively as he scanned the tattoos climbing up Garrett’s arms. “I’m Steve,” he answered defensively. “Who the hell are you?”
Garrett’s furious eyes collided with mine. “Steve? Really?”
Fuck my life.
“Um… I—uh…,” I stuttered.
Unfortunately, Gina took my delayed speech as an opening. “Is this him? Is he rump roast guy?”
All eyes went to Gina, and Steve asked, “What?” in confusion.
I jumped into the fray, praying to diffuse the situation. “Gina, can you restock the display case, please?” Shedidn’t move a muscle, too consumed by what was unfolding in front of her, so I turned my attention to Steve. “Now’s really not a good time—”
“Yeah,Steve,” Garrett bit harshly. “Now’s not a good time. So fuck off.”
The throbbing vein in Steve’s forehead did not say good things as he faced Garrett full-on. “I’m sorry, do I know you?”
“That’s Garrett Wilder,” Gina offered unhelpfully. “He’s the drummer for Civil Corruption.”
“Civil who?”
Gina looked at me with anare you freaking kidding meface. “Civil Corruption,” she repeated slowly. “Only the most famous rock band inAmerica. Dude, you living under a rock or something?”
He transferred his scowl from Gina to Garrett. “I prefer music with substance.”
Oh sweet merciful hell.
