Her gaze meets mine, her breathing quick and shallow.Fuck, it is taking everything in me not to claim those lips that I’ve dreamed about for the last thirteen years.
But when that happens, it’s not going to be in a bar, when we’re surrounded by drunk idiots. It’s going to be perfect, and it’s going to beprivate—because once we start, there’s no stopping, and there’s absolutely no going back.
“It’s okay. You don’t have to admit it; I know you were jealous. The same way I’ve been jealous of Cole for the last few years.”
Her eyes widen, like she’s in shock that I said that out loud. “Jensen.”
I hold her lips closed with the pad of my thumb. “I know.” I pause, taking a quick inhale. “I’m not going to kiss you. I’m not going to make a move. Especially not the minute after your breakup.”
She chuckles, still clearly not fully accepting what just happened, and that’s okay. They’ve been together for a long time, and it’s going to take a little while to sink in. And I’ll be here every step of the way.
“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask her, and she shakes her head aggressively before I can even finish my question. “Okay, so what’s the plan then?”
She pouts, throwing her head back. “You decide. I don’t want to have to make a decision right now.”
An idea pops into my head, and I can’t even fight the smile from taking over my face. “Do you have all of your stuff?”
She lifts her purse, double-checking, and she drops her phone inside of it. “Yeah. Why?”
“You want me to make the decisions, right?” I ask.
She squints, wanting to challenge me even though this was her idea. It must be hard for her to not always be so difficult. I laugh to myself at the thought.
She nods begrudgingly.
“Then do as I say and don’t ask any more questions.”
“But—”
I cut her off, grabbing her hand and spinning on my heel. “Come on.”
“I don’t want to go back over there,” she shouts at me as I pull us toward the group.
Stopping outside the roped-off section, I ask our security guy, Adrian, “Can you watch her for a second?”
“Jensen!” Lainey shouts sharply, and I turn around, giving her my attention as she crosses her arms.
“You’re not going to have to go back in there. Stay out here with him. I’m just telling Luca that I’m taking you home.”
“We’re going home?” she asks, her face and shoulders drooping.
I wink at her. “No, we’re doing an old-fashioned Lainey-Jensen cheer-up.”
Her eyes light up as she remembers what I’m talking about—what we used to do together when either of us was in a bad funk. She rocks back on her heels, not a protesting word to say.Perfect.
When I walk over to Luca and AJ, who I knew would hit it off tonight, they greet me with smiles. AJ actually works here as a bartender, but got off just before Lainey arrived.
Thanks to her agreeing to flirt with me, I got Lainey to admit she was jealous. That reminds me that I need to get AJ those game tickets she wanted as payment.
It might have been a little toxic, I admit, but seeing the anger in Lainey’s eyes at the thought of another girl all over me was worth it. Although it seems rather futile now that she and Cole broke up, and we’re the ones spending the night together.
“Hey, man. How’s she doing? Cam told me that she finally broke it off with Cole.” Luca sits up taller, and I swear these guys gossip worse than girls some days.
“Thank fucking God. Yeah, she did. She’s doing okay—might be a little bit in denial. But I’m just letting you know I’m taking her home. Are you still crashing at her place? You can always stay at mine, too, if you need.”
He side-eyes AJ, who’s smirking knowingly at him. “Nah, man. I think I’m good. But thank you.” He rises from his chair. “I’ll walk you guys out.”
Luca follows me back to where Lainey is now chatting it up with Adrian, who seems uninterested but is entertaining her nonetheless.
