Page 28 of Dr. Sexypants

“I think he’s still talking to people.”

Jade barked, “And you left him?”

“Yeah. Why? He’s the reason everyone’s here. He doesn’t need me by his side.”

“And he hates being the center of attention. What if someone threw a party for you but then everyone ignored you?”

I furrowed my brows. “Why would they come to my party if they’re just going to ignore me?”

Jade let out a big sigh. “Just imagine it!”

“Okaaay…” I envisioned what that would look like. “That would be awful.”

“And on your birthday!”

“That would make it even worse.”

“Exactly. That’s how Justin feels right now. He hates this. How you would feel if everyone ignored you is how he’s feeling that everyone’s paying attention to him.”

“Everyone thinks we’re dating,” I proclaimed.

Brian asked, “Since when do you care what anybody thinks? Especially when it’s not even true.”

Adam cocked his head. “Or is it?”

Lainey piled on. “Or maybe you want it to be.”

I stood up and announced, “I’m getting another drink; does anyone need anything?”

A chorus of “No,” and “I’m good” rang out, and I hastily turned on my heel toward the bar.

“Denial isn’t just a river in Egypt!” Lainey cackled as I walked away.

Yes, I’d liked circulating around the bar with Justin. Not only was socializing really my superpower, but I was escorted by a well-respected doctor in our town. It was nice that people thought I was worthy of dating him.

My track record didn’t consist of many “well-respected” men. I mean, not all of them were losers—Jonathan had a good job, but his emotional intelligence was lacking. He’d probably make his second wife happy—once he figured his shit out after the first divorced him.

It might be why I’d dated him for as long as I had. The sex had been decent, but I knew there was no long-term potential.

But tonight, it’d been easy to feel like part of a couple with Justin—even though I denied it at every turn. I thought we’d done a good job setting everyone straight—until Brian’s stupid dad, Angus, let us know we weren’t fooling anyone.

Which was bullshit. We. Were. Not. Dating!

A one-night stand did not equal dating.

Heck, even hooking up twice wouldn’t mean we were seeing each other.

If, by some chance, that happened.

I ordered another Blue Moon from Josie and glanced around the bar as I waited for her to pull the draft.

Justin was talking with Rob, the friend who’d brought him, but his eyes were on me. I offered him a soft smile, but instead of smiling back, he looked away.

Ouch.

I didn’t like being snubbed by him, but I really didn’t like Rob’s girlfriend, Katelyn bringing her pretty friend over and introducing her.

Or the way he smiled back at her. That was bullshit.