I haven’t really come to terms with any of it, or acted on any of it outside that one date. This town is too small—as evidenced byLoganbeing my first match, and I work so much that I don’t have a lot of opportunity to create a dating life. I guess that second one is of my own design, though, and it’s not really a problem.
Whatisa problem, however, is Hanlon’s stupid best friend, Chase, groping him.
“Why don’t you ask him to stop?” I blurt once we pull back in at the office.
“What?” Hanlon says, obviously confused as he pulls his helmet off.
“Chase. I’m assuming he’s still your best friend. Why don’t you tell him to stop grabbing your dick?”
Jesus, let it go, Stone, I chastise myself.
Hanlon swallows before answering.
“I don’t know. It’s not a big deal. He’s just fucking around.”
“Hmm,” I hum noncommittally.
“What the fuck does ‘hmm’ mean?” Hanlon snaps.
“You use the wordfucka lot,” I point out, avoiding his question.
“Well, here’s another one for you; you’refuckingannoying.”
I roll my lips inward to keep myself from laughing. I’d forgotten how easy it is to rile Hanlon up, especially where his friends are concerned. He’s fiercely loyal.
He used to be fiercely loyal tome.
Before this conversation can devolve any further, Logan comes outside where we’re standing.
“Oh, good, you’re back! Come on Han. I’m starving,” the pilot says, causing me to grit my teeth.
“His name isHanlon, Logan. And I’m coming to lunch with you. He can ride with me.”
Logan shoots me a glare.
“I don’t remember inviting you,” he says.
“That’s because you didn’t,” I fire back, already walking toward my Tahoe. “Let’s go. I’m freezing my balls off.”
It takes them a second, but Logan and Hanlon both end up in my SUV.
“Since you’re crashing our date, you’re paying,” Logan quips, fastening his seatbelt.
“Jesus,Logan. It’s not adate.He’s ourintern.”
Logan twists to look at Hanlon in the back seat.
“Are you offended by my use of the term often used to describe two people engaging in a social event like a meal?”
Hanlon snorts a chuckle, and I’m suddenly irrationally angry about the fact that Logan was able to pull the sound from him.
“No,” Hanlon confirms.
Turning back to me, Logan props an elbow on my console and leans over so his mouth is right next to my ear.
“Looks like you’re the only one it bothers.” He drops his voice even lower, and I pray to God that Hanlon can’t hear the next words that come out of his mouth. “Why is that? You want him for yourself?”
I throw my elbow out and catch Logan in the solar plexus, making him sputter and cough.
