Why is Hunter giving me that look?
Finally, the round ends, most of us groaning, and I slip my clothes back on. It’s ridiculous, but I’ll admit, it’s also fun. “I love this game,” Noah sighs.
“Well, that’s because you love seeing half-naked men.”
“Excuse me. I have a love of strategy!”
“And I think we’re done here.” Hunter smiles tightly.
“Whoever wants to smoke can join me on the porch.” Jamie gives Noah a kiss. “I want to scrub this night from my mind.”
I lean into Aiden. “Hey, do you mind if I go outside and talk to Hunter?”
“Oh, uh, yeah.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll keep him company.” Cam goes to put his arm around Aiden who ducks out of the way.
“I’ll be right back.”
I followthem out onto the back porch. Hunter’s been giving me looks all night and I want to ask him what’s going on. I see a spark light up then Jamie takes a hit, and I can feel my friends’ eyes on me. Judgement radiates off my best friend. Cam is inside with Aiden, and I wanted to join Hunter, but now I can feel his scrutiny...
“Just say it.”
Hunter sighs loudly. I feel it. Jamie exhales sharply, handing him the bowl, and Hunter takes a hit then blows out the smoke. Then he looks at me. I can feel the weight of his attention.
“What is it?” I love my best friend, and I get it. He’s very protective of me.
“It’s a vibe,” he says finally.
“A vibe yeah? A vibe? Really?”
“Sawyer—”
“Your boyfriend thought he set fire to my mom’s restaurant in college. A vibe.” I shake my head.
His eyes soften. “Hey. That’s not fair.”
No, I guess it’s not. While Mark thought at first that he was responsible, he soon realized he wasn’t and tried his hardest to get the asshole whowasresponsible to confess. Unfortunately, my friend ended up in the crosshairs of the entire thing. It almost ruined their relationship. “I’m sorry.”
Hunter squeezes my arm. “I’m not trying to be a dick about this. There’s just something off about him.”
“You say I’m too picky and that I need to give people a chance.” Frustration starts to creep in. “Then I give someone a chance, it’s ‘a vibe’.”
“Your employee, though?” Jamie cuts in, taking the bowl back from him. “You need to be careful with that. You’re his boss.”
“Boss feels weird,” I murmur. I barely even know what I’m doing. “I don’t know if you can call it a power imbalance when I feel powerless.” I have zero clue what I’m doing. They’re right, I know, technically. Aiden needed a job, and I needed help. Simple as that. “It’s not like I’d fire him if he didn’t like me.” Which he doesn’t, and that’s what I need to understand.
“You sign his checks. You’re his boss. And so what? He was nice to you. It doesn’t mean he’s a good guy.” My best friend sighs.
I want to stop talking about this. Hunter doesn’t get it. He’s happy. So fucking happy. Dating is hard. I’ve tried. I don’t feel anything when I go on them. I know they say feelings grow, that attraction can take time, but I don’t really believe that.
With Aiden the sparks were instant. I feel that little tension-filled caress to my chest when I like someone—really like someone.
“Isn’t this exactly what Mark was doing to Noah?” Jamie stares ahead with wide eyes ignoring the glare Hunter has on him.
“Besides...” I already know by Hunter’s tone that I’m about to be pissed. “You’re going through a lot right now.”
“Don’t.” I look at him.
