“He didn’t seem like a murderer…”
“Yea, neither did Ted Bundy.” I rub my eyes. “Fuck my life.”
“Tularosa is a big town. It’s not like I gave him an address.”
“You don’t know this guy… He’s like a dog with a damn bone.” I flop back in my chair. “Shows up out of nowhere after sixteen goddamn years and now he wants to follow me everywhere… Jesus, do I need to haveNot Interestedtattooed on my forehead??”
“Wait a minute…” Troy murmurs. “Is that the guy…? Your old friend from college??”
At that moment, Jake saunters outside, casually grinning and sipping his lemonade.
I glare up at him, barking into the phone, “Stop talking to Jake about my life.” Then point at my best friend. “And you. Stop telling my assistant things!”
Jake takes a seat, shrugging. “He asked me why you’re such a lonely hermit. I felt inclined to answer honestly.”
“I hate both of you,” I grunt, hanging up on Troy.
“What happened?” Jake asks, smirking like the meddling old lady his thirty-four-year-old father of two clearly embodies.
“Lance showed up at my house,” I mumble, opening the text from Troy. “With flowers.”
My eyes scan over the picture he sent me… Sunflowers, in a cute clay pot. With a card.
I wonder what the card says…
No. I don’tcarewhat the stupid fucking card says.
I’m not some desperate girl on Valentine’s Day. I don’t want flowers from a guy who won’t leave me alone… No matter how theoretically thoughtful it might be.
Tall, gorgeous, broad-shouldered annoyance… With his sharp jaw and his deep, sexy voice…
Who apparently knows me well enough to know thatno oneelse hasevergiven me flowers before…
Damn him.
“Aww! Let me see!” Jake snatches the phone from me, checking the picture. He pouts. “Oh my God, helovesyou!”
“He does notlove me,” I scoff. “He’s peeking out of the closet while remembering the only other guy who’s ever touched his dick. It’s just a physical reaction, or attachment or something…”
“Right.” Jake shakes his head, tossing my phone at me. “Keep telling yourself that.”
“Ugh, I need to leave…”
“Why? So you can go home and smell your flowers…?” He snickers, and I narrow my gaze at him.
My phone starts ringing again.I swear to God, I’m about to throw myself onto a cactus.
“It’s your brother,” I huff to Jake, swiping to answer. “Yellow?”
“Tate? Hey, man. How’s it going?” Ben rumbles in my ear.
Man, he sounds straight.“I’m just peachy, thanks for asking. How can I help you?”
“Look, uh… Are you at my brother’s?” He asks, more interested in me and what I’m doing than he’s ever been before, which is odd.
My eyes flit to Jake, who’s leaning in on the table like he’s desperate for a tea spill. I shoo him away with my hand and whisper, “Go play with your kids, for Christ’s sake. Yes, Ben. I am at your brother’s. Why? What do you need?”
“Oh, nice,” Ben says. His shifty tone has me narrowing my gaze. “So just wondering… That guy Lance… What’s up with you two?”
