“Because I’m lookingandpaying attention.” His expression is soft as his eyes study my face, proving his point.
I part my lips to say something else but someone else interrupts. “Well, isn’t this cozy?”
Hayes turns his head as I stiffen, glowering at the newcomer as he approaches. He’s like a parasite I can’t get rid of. “What are you doing here?”
The hair on the back of my neck stands up and Hayes snakes his hand around my waist, protectively drawing me closer to him.
“I was supposed to meet with Cal an hour ago, but your recording session went over. I got bored waiting so I thought I’d come up here and watch.” He slides his hands into his pockets and gives me a sardonic grin. “You know, like old times.”
“You never came to any of my recordings.” I narrow my eyes accusingly.
Corey rocks back on his heels and then shifts focus to Hayes. “Hayes Vogt, right? We still haven’t had a chance to formally meet each other. I’m Corey Shrader. I’m sure you’ve heard lots about me.”
“Nothing worth repeating.”
His lips twitch in an amused smirk. “Good game the other day.”
“Thanks,” he says brusquely. “If you don’t mind, we were kind of in the middle of something.”
Corey raises his hands. “My bad. Just figured I’d pop by and say hey. I’m supposed to be going out with Cal for a drink or two later. But I’ll leave you two to yoursomething. I’ll see you later, Jersey.”
“Don’t count on it.”
He snorts a laugh and then turns away, leaving us alone again. I wrap my arms around Hayes, burying her face in his chest. “Ihatethat he’s been around so much. I feel like I’ve seen him more in the last few weeks than I did during our entire relationship.”
He runs his hand up and down my back, staring after Corey. “Why do you think he’s here?”
“I don’t know. But I don’t like it.”
“Me either. Are you all finished?” he asks, redirecting the topic. I love he’s not giving Corey any more energy than absolutely necessary.
“Yup. I just gotta grab my stuff and we can head out.”
Hayes bends down and presses his lips to mine, sending all thoughts of Corey or Cal straight out of my mind, too. “Perfect, ’cause I believe you have a hot date, Ms. Matthews.”
TWENTY-SIX
hayes
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3
Once Jersey is clearedto leave the studio, we go back to her place to clean up before heading out for dinner. I ask her a few times if she is still up to going out after her long day, but she reassures me each time.
“Yeah. I need a break. And possibly a drink... or three.” She gives me a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes.
I take that as a personal challenge—we’re going to end this evening on a high note.
“I’ll find us the perfect place then,” I assure her, grabbing my phone and reading over the reviews of a few places before settling on one that I’m sure will amp up Jersey’s mood.
Not long later, her driver is pulling into the restaurant parking lot.
Jersey peers out the window as the car comes to a stop and then she turns to me in question, one of her dark eyebrows arching on her face. “A bar?”
I smirk at her. “Gotta keep it interesting.”
Her eyes go wide with alarm. “I don’t think I can go in there. We don’t have security.”
Running my hand down the back of her hair, I say, “I’ll be right next to you the whole time. No one’s getting close to you unless you tell me it’s okay.”
