“Come celebrate.” She smiled again, waving over at the team.
I lifted my hand at Lawson, J.C., and Krew. “Sorry. Not tonight. I have a major paper due Monday and I’ve not written a single word.”
It was the honest truth. I had not written a word in three days.Wonder why?
“Fine.” She pouted. “But we’re having a girls’ night soon. Me, you, a cheesy 2000s rom-com, and a large pizza.”
“Deal.” I grinned.
“Keep your money.” Elton placed my brown bag on the counter. “It’s on me.”
“Elton,” I scolded.
Ashley rolled her eyes. “Don’t argue. He’s like talking to a brick wall.” She nudged him in the side with a wink before she tucked my ticket under the register. “Have a good night, Trinity.”
“Thanks. And thank you, Elton.”
He waved behind him, taking his place back behind the grill.
Turning from the counter, I moved my gaze to the other side of the restaurant, freezing when my eyes landed on a table near the window. Heat licked up the back of my neck when I saw Preston, sitting at a table, withSierra.They were alone, leaning in close to talk over the noise. My heart thudded violently in my chest as she reached across the table and caressed his forearm.
He didn’t stop her.
An unexpected meeting.
I scoffed internally, shaking my head when my name was bellowed. I jerked my gaze to Lawson, who tossed his hands up. “You’re leaving?”
As soon as freaking possible.
I didn’t speak, just waved the bag in his direction like that was answer enough. When I turned back, Preston’s blue eyes locked with mine. I felt hot again, like betrayal was seeping into my pores. Poisoning my blood.Not your problem, Trinity.He wasn’t mine. We weren’t anything really. He could have dinner with whoever he wanted. But one thing I didn’t tolerate was a liar.
Remorse flashed in his expression, but I quickly averted my eyes, moving steadily to the side door. I pushed through the exit, my chest physically aching with each step that carried me farther away from the building. Was this what he wanted to talk to me about? That our “almost kiss” was a mistake? That we needed to forget it happened because he was getting back together with her?
I hated how I let this affect me. How I lethimaffect me. I was three strides away from my car when I heard my name called through the empty parking lot. Music from inside the bar played in the distance, a few engines from the main road mixing with the melody as I ignored the voice.
Preston’s voice.
“Trinity.” He was closer now, but I still kept my strides steady.Unaffected.
When I reached my car, his palm slid in the crook of my elbow, turning me to face him.
“Trinity,” he said again.
I blinked, then tilted my head. “Shouldn’t you be in your meeting?”
“It’s not what it looks like.”
“What it looks like is none of my business.” I bit the inside of my cheek. “I just prefer not to be lied to. If you had other plans, you could have just said so.”
He ran a hand through his hair. He wasn’t wearing his cap, and he looked genuinely distraught. “I didn’t lie. I was told there was a meeting with all of the coaches to give an interview with her. I showed up, and no one else did. I would never lie to you.”
“You don’t owe me anything.” I shrugged a shoulder. “What you do on your own time—”
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Downplay this.” He motioned between us.
