“If you say so,” Greg replied, unconvinced.
“What’s the third thing?”
“What third thing?” he added, far too innocently.
“The third reason you think we’re together.”
“Meh, never mind.” He waved the tongs dismissively. “Doesn’t matter. You’re not together, so it doesn’t matter.”
Across the patio, Nyah laughed—not loud, not attention-seeking—but it threaded through the air and landed directly in my chest, already familiar in a way that disarmed me.
“Shame,” Greg said. “She’s probablyout of your league.”
I glanced at him, amused despite the truth stinging more than it should have. “I’m going to get that third reason out of you. I’ve been doing a lot of introspection lately, and I value your outside opinion.”
“You do?”
“I always have.”
“That’s a nice thing to say.” Greg clapped me on my back. “Thanks, man.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re not going to tell me, are you?”
“You really want to know?”
“Yes.”
“The reason I thought you two were a thing?”
“The third such reason, yes.”
He leaned closer, tipped my chin subtly back toward the barbecue and the patio beyond. “You haven’t taken your eyes off her since you got here.”
And the worst part—the part I didn’t say out loud—was that even knowing it, even being called out on it… I couldn’t make myself look away.
15
NYAH
After accepting the gift basket, Beth had led us out to the patio, where Caleb peeled off to help Greg with the barbecue. Beth introduced me to a group of friends, and I ended up enjoying a few captivating conversations.
I spotted Caleb heading inside and excused myself to go meet Greg beside the barbecue. We hit it off instantly and talked about the hotel, the weather, sports, and Caleb. It was easy with Greg. He didn’t study me the way others did, didn’t ask questions that felt like polite interrogations. He just talked to me like I belonged.
“Caleb tells me you guys aren’t together,” Greg said, sipping his beer. “What’s up with that?”
I almost choked on my water. “Oh God, no!” I said, struggling to regain my composure.Jeez. Is that what everyone thinks?“We just work together at the hotel. He was giving me a lift, then he had to come here, and my place was in the other direction...”
Greg pursed his lips. “Hmm.”
I looked at him quizzically. “What?”
“Well, like I told him, he’s never brought any girl to an event like this, unless you count family friends... and I’ve knownhim my whole life.”
I licked my lips. “Well, actually, I wasn’t going to come, but he promised me the most amazing pork chops and beef ribs. Which smells incredible, by the way.”
Greg laughed. “Right, so you’re stringing him along for the free barbecue, then you’re going to dump his ass.”
“Exactly.”
