I stepped back, and the loss of contact was immediate. Cool air replacing heat as her hand slid from my shoulder.
“You should get back to your date,” I said.
Her gaze didn’t waver. “He’s not my date.”
I nodded toward the floor anyway. “Wouldn’t want him thinkin’ I stole you.”
“You didn’t steal anything,” she said, frustration lacing every word.
Maybe not. But I don’t take what I can’t keep. And I don’t keep what I can’t control.
Because I already know how that ends.
So, I gave her a tight nod, then I turned back to the bar.
Back to the solid edge of the room with a glass in hand, shoulders squared, and my walls reinforced.
And this time, I made sure I didn’t look again.
Because if I did—
I wasn’t sure I’d walk away a second time.
And that would’ve been the real mistake.
Chapter 3
Dani
Iwas still recovering from the wedding, the night before, when I received a text from Cami at eight-thirty on a Sunday morning.
Cami:BRUNCH. Stewart’s. 10:15.
No excuses.
Cami:Also I’m married, which means
I’m an adult now, so
you have to listen to me.
Cami:And don’t be weird.
Cami:You’re going to be weird.
Don’t be.
I stared at my phone for a full ten seconds, then typed back:
Me:You say “don’t be weird” like
that’s an option.
Cami:It is. Try it.
Me:If you ambush me,
I’m suing.
