A sharp discomfort twisted low in my stomach. Just enough to make me pause. Just enough for the smallest voice in my head to whisper that maybe he had a point. Maybe Ishouldstep back, acknowledge the boundary, and stop hovering around someone who was technically still in a relationship.
I should have.
Too bad my restraint was nonexistent.
I leaned in, meeting his stare without flinching. “We’re just close like that. You know—old friends.”
“Working for him? Really?”
“What can I say?” I shrugged. “We share a lot of interests.”
He didn’t move. “People notice. They talk. It reflects on him.”
Ah.
So that’s what this was about. His perfect image.
“I’m good at what I do,” I said evenly. “The only thing I reflect on him is success.”
No polite smiles this time. “You are making everybody uncomfortable.”
“Everybody? You sure about that?” I took a step closer, refusing to shrink under his stare. “Look, I’m always going to be in his life. You should be getting used to it, not feeling threatened?—”
“I don’t feel threatened by you,” he cut in quickly.
I smirked. “Could’ve fooled me.”
Luca used his height to his advantage, moving in. I clenched my teeth and held my ground.
“You act too desperate to be threatening,” he said. “Just keep your distance tonight.”
He grabbed his glass and walked away, while I stood there, jaw slack.
A hand landed on my shoulder. “Ethan,” Mateo said, a warning under his breath.
“Did youhearthat motherfucker?” I snapped, outrage punching straight through me. “He called me desperate.”
“He’s jealous too, Ethan. Think about?—”
“No. No thinking.” I blew a sharp breath out through my nose. “Desperate? I’ll fucking show him desperate.”
I spun toward the Langley brothers but paused—one tiny alarm bell going off—then tapped Mateo’s arm. “Hey, you knowHenny and I havezerofeelings for each other, right? Like none whatsoever.”
Mateo gave me a confused little smile, then nodded.
“I need his help right now, so whatever you see, keep that in mind.”
Mateo just chuckled and waved his hand, like saying,Go forth.
Say no fucking more.
I resumed my storming, and when I reached them, I slid under Henry’s arm and wrapped mine around his waist. Henry barely registered it, but his brother—standing right beside him—definitely did. Sebastian was talking to another guy and stopped mid-sentence for a beat before continuing.
Gotcha.
“Hey, babe, come dance with me?” I asked Henry, lowering my voice just enough to make sure it carried.
“And shots?” Henry asked, already smiling at me.
