Page 39 of Something So Strong

“Were you being bold or just indiscreetly unaware?” I ask Jesse, slack-jawed and proud. “There’s no way he didn’t see that.”

“Don’t care… Do you?”

“Not in the slightest.” But I’m certain you care more than you’re even willing to admit to yourself. “Aren’t you worried about what he might think?”

“Nup.” That’s a bold faced lie, but his denial is so goddamn addictive.

“Guess we’ll see tonight then.”

“Are you actually planning on tagging along?” he asks, meeting my gaze like he doesn’t give a shit.

“You bet. I can’t wait to tease you in front of your friends.”

“Bring it on,” he discounts my threat. “But just so you know, I’m never gonna make the first move. So unless you intend on growing some balls, I’d suggest you get better acquainted with your right hand… Enjoy your lunch break.”

I pull the now messy bun out of my hair and run my fingers through it.

Hair up or down? It’s not a decision I can take lightly.

Black boots, charcoal jeans, a black shirt with one button too many undone, and a black woolen oversized blazer. I look suave as fuck.

Tapping my phone screen, I check the time and shoot off a message to our group chat.

JESS: Common room in two minutes.

SAXON: We’re already here, you sex pest.

Lovely.

Sliding the hair tie around my wrist, I take a deep breath and exit my room.

It’s almost unsettling how bizarrely calm I am.

And I don’t mind admitting to myself that it had been a relief when Kai invited himself. Whether he actually shows up is a different kettle of fish, though. All I know is that he said to be outside at eight.

“What the fuck are you so dressed up for?” Romeo asks when I exit the lift like he isn’t wearing a Supreme cardigan and Prada brogues.

“I’m not.”

“You are,” Saxon agrees, his position barely flinching as he looks at his phone. “What’s this place like, anyway?”

“Does it matter?” I walk straight past him to the door. “Kai said to meet him out front.”

“I still don’t know how I feel about him,” Romeo mutters with a wry face. “Something about him rubs me the wrong way.”

“He grows on ya.”

“Yeah, I see that,” Saxon admits. “Hate at first sight, for sure. But after chatting with him today, he seems to understand the correct way to treat our little Jess.” With a pompous snigger, he rubs his hand on the top of my hair to mess it up.

With a surly pout, I shake my head and re-tuck the hair behind my ears.

“Okay, he might be tolerable, but I don’t plan on tonight being pretty,” Romeo starts, “So I’d rather not have to watch my behavior.”

“If he can’t handle our banter, Jess. There will be problems.”

“Shut your cock-washers.” I turn back to them. “He’s giving us a ride, and he’s a sound bloke. Yeah, he flirts with everyone, but that’s his banter. Deal with it, or don’t. I don’t give a shit. But he’s coming, and I don’t wanna hear any more about it.”

Leaving them to mutter under their breaths, I spin back around and gulp my stomach back down at the sight of a pair of headlights. Saxon and Romeo can back out if they want, but I’m getting in that van.

---