Rowan says nothing, and I don’t force the subject as I think I might actually know his reason when push comes to shove. Bennett likes me, and Rowan is taking his chance away. Still, that doesn’t give him the right to be cold toward him.
“I guess it’s only fair that I get to be jealous too.” Rowan grins, and I glare back at him.
“But I don’t have someone at my house inmyclothes.”
“Nope,” Rowan says, popping the p. “OnlyIam frequenting your house. Though I don’t believe I’ll fit into your tiny clothes.”
“Tiny?!” I shout.
Rowan chuckles again.
“Your drinks.” Bennett sets two cups on the table, water for Rowan and sweet tea for me. “Do you know what you want to order?” His eyes are situated on me again, and I can feel the tension between the three of us as if it’s a fourth person here to wine and dine.
I focusmyattention on my date. “Yeah, do you, Row?”
“Yep. You go ahead,” he answers, and I turn to look at Bennett.
“Chicken salad and fries?” he asks, and I shake my head.
“Not tonight. It’s too cold. I think I’ll try your chili.”
Bennett makes an approving noise in the back of his throat. “Good choice. I’ll bring you some crackers too. Do you want cheese on top?”
“Sure, thanks.”
“Of course.” Bennett gives me another award-winning smile before he turns his attention to Rowan, and promptly says nothing as he stares blankly at my date.Why is he acting like such an ass?
“I’ll take your French onion soup,” Rowan says, his vibrant green eyes mercilessly cold as they narrow back on Bennett.
“Are you sure you don’t want to try what I recommended to you the other day? What I told you about when you were here with that woman?” Bennett says it so nonchalantly, so casually,that anyone could have missed the cruelty in it. But I see what he’s trying to do.
He’s trying to make it seem like Rowan was here on a date with someone else. Bennett is trying to drive a wedge between us.
“I just said—”
“Rowan’s a big soup guy, so I’m sure whatever you recommended before won’t live up to his love for French onion soup,” I interrupt, stopping Rowan before he is baited further.
Bennett stands rigid, nodding briskly as he writes our orders down.
“Of course. Let me put this in for you.” Then he turns and flees, and I watch him retreat with a narrowed gaze. He’s been such an asshole today.
I can feel Rowan’s eyes on me, so I turn my attention back to him and see that he’s grinning at me again.
“What?” I question cautiously, and he shrugs.
“Nothing. It’s cute whenever you come to my rescue.” I roll my eyes, taking a sip of my tea. Rowan clears his throat and speaks again. “About what he just said… Marissa and I came here for breakfast the other day before she left. It wasn’t… it wasn’t likethat.”
I reach across the table and take his hand in mine before I consider what the action means or what those around us will think.
“I know, it’s okay. Really.”
The rest of our dinner goes well—Bennett keeps his distance, and Rowan makes no further moves to react to his antagonizing.
Not much later I’m watching Rowan pay the bill, and we’re walking out under the awning that protects us from the light drizzle.
The sun has set, and I shiver from under my coat.
“You didn’t need to pay. I askedyouout, after all,” I tell Rowan.
