Page 52 of A Song for You

The woman with dark skin, big honey brown eyes, and curly raven hair cocks a brow at Cat and mouths something I don’t catch. “Yes, her Sophie,” she enunciates, turning back to me with a harsh glimmer in her eye. “And you are?”

I hold out my hand. “Jay.”

“Oh, don’t be so modest, Mr. Hanson,” Cat urges as Sophie grips my hand tightly. “This is Jonathan Hanson, the man, the myth, and the legend,” she says with a bite. “He’s the one who ordered all this food for us.”

I cringe at the extravagant spread. It really is ridiculous. There isn’t a spot of fabric to be found. Plates and bowls and platters cover every inch.

“It’s good, I hope?”

Swiping at a lobster rangoon, Sophie chimes in. “It’s delicious. You have to try one of these.” The woman’s hard eyes don’t leave mine as she stuffs the whole thing in her mouth.

I grab one and hold it up like I’m toasting them with it, and Cat glowers at me. Then I slip it into my mouth and hum. “Delicious.”

“Awfully chipper for a man with a cold dick,” Cat quips, practically making me choke.

I reach for a glass of water on the table and clear my throat. “I’ve taken a lot of cold showers this week, knowing a certain someone was sleeping in my bed.” I raise my brow.

With that comeback, she finally has the decency to blush.

“You slept in his bed?” Sophie snaps, her shrewd attention finally leaving me and darting to Cat.

Fuck, maybe they really are together.

Cat huffs. “It was a weak moment. We don’t need your input, Mr. Hanson. I’m sure you’re far too busy to pick out food with the likes of me. Wouldn’t want you to be seen chatting with a member of the James family.”

I scrutinize Sophie, waiting for her reaction to the truth behind Cat’s identity. But she doesn’t bat an eye. She more or less tips her head in my direction like she’s ready to see what I’ll volley back at the woman who clearly has her claws out.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” I’m soaking wet, and she clearly doesn’t want me anywhere near her, so I’m not sure why I’m fighting to share a meal with her. But I love to spar with her. So much.

She shrugs and turns to Sophie as if I’m invisible. “We should add that cocoa cream you love to the list,” she says, her expression finally losing its edge.

Sophie grins. “Good idea.” She pulls her phone from her purse and her thumbs fly across the screen. “What about that chocolate my mom mentioned last night? We could pick some up before we go out tonight.”

“You’re going out?” I ask.

Cat doesn’t respond, and her focus never leaves the woman beside her.

I turn my attention to Sophie, staring until she squirms. “Um, yeah, with some friends.” The second the words are out of her mouth, she jolts and squeaks. “Ow!” she says, leaning down and rubbing her leg. She glares at Cat, then she turns to me, and that glare turns into a smirk. “We’re going to Rebel.”

Cat folds her arms and sits back, glowering at us both.

“Aw, Kitten. Don’t be so upset. Now I’ll leave you and your date alone to enjoy lunch. I have to go get cleaned up and get some rest before our big night.”

She shakes her head as I smile at her and stand.

“Sophie, it was lovely meeting you. Kitten, I’ll see you later.” I wink and turn before she can reply.

I’ve got my in. Now I just have to figure out what I’m going to do with it.

Thirty

Cat

Everlong by Foo Fighters

Why, why, why, Sophie?

And why does Jay care where we’re going, anyway? I don’t hear from him for a week, then he summons me to a restaurant, only to stand me up. Except he actually was there. Just what, avoiding me? Watching me? Until he realized I wasn’t alone. Then he plops down and butts into our conversation and freaking invites himself out with us tonight.