Page 93 of The Thought of You

“That kind of night, huh?” Cole lifts a brow as he grabs a tall glass.

Next to us, Nate chuckles. “Pace yourself, Maren. You’ll be seeing a lot of me soon.”

“That reminds me.” She sarcastically snaps her fingers, her fingernails painted black and deadly. It’s like she’s just waiting for an excuse to sink them into some pour soul, and Nate’s the easiest target. “I saw plenty of For Sale signs on the other side of town. Maybe you’d be more comfortable there, and your parents can just keep being my neighbors for the rest of eternity. They’re much better.”

“I’d have to agree. My mom and dad are much better company.” Nate folds his arms across his chest, and his lip twitches. He’s clearly stifling a smile.

“I’ll say,” Maren grumbles as Cole slides her drink toward us. “Do you even know how to play Bridge? Because your mom and I are an unbeatable team. We have quite the competition going against the Hendersons from across the street, and if your mom quits, I’ll have to suffer under the wrath of their smug smiles every week.”

Nate’s amused expression slips, and a frown replaces his earlier smirk. “You hang out with my mom?”

Maren shifts, her lips parted. “Sometimes. She makes the best scones around. I think she’s the reason Mrs. Goodwin stopped selling them at Bready or Knot.” The laugh my friend releases doesn’t sound like hers. It’s too high-pitched and fake.

She needs a rescue.

I turn again to face Owen, who’s knee still rests along my upper thigh. “How was Lottie’s—” I gulp back the rest of my question. I was just going to ask about Lottie’s brunch event, but I shouldn’t be asking him such pleasant things.

Secret. He and I are supposed to be secret.

“I mean, how did you ever see well enough to catch a baseball? Doesn’t the fact that one eye is so much bigger than the other make it impossible?” I place both hands on my hips and practically lurch backward in order to break our physical connection.

A deep crease forms between his brows.

And I glare.

His eyes widen with understanding. “Look at you and your new haircut. Finally decided to live a little, huh?” he tosses back.

“I’d love it if you tried shutting up, but you just love the sound of your own voice, don’t you?” I snap.

“No one loves the sound of their own voice more than you.” Owen narrows his eyes.

“I was wondering when you’d start in on each other,” Nate says.

Maren points at her Apple watch. “We were here a whole three minutes without you speaking a word. Must be a record.”

Nate finishes his beer and slides off the stool. With a wave of his arm, he offers, “Take a seat, ladies. We’ll get out of your hair.” He pins Maren under his intense gaze and adds, “There’s enough room here for all of us.”

And I have a feeling he’s not just talking about The Tipsy Tap.

“What a gentleman,” I say sarcastically, then tell Owen, “Why am I not surprised you didn’t think to give up your seat for a lady?”

Owen rises to his full height. In the process, he leans in until his nose grazes my hair, and he whispers, “You weren’t a lady the other night.”

“Meet me in the bathroom in five minutes,” I whisper back, then jam my elbow into his side. “Have you ever heard of personal space?” I burst.

After I settle onto the empty stool and order a drink, I catch Owen’s gaze as more and more people occupy the space between us.

His arousal is undeniable. Dark shades of desire lurk in his eyes, and I could practically melt onto the floor under his heated expression.

It’s risky asking him to meet me in the bathroom, but I have to get him alone. I can’t stand this charade, and it’s only day freaking one.

But I can do this. My job and reputation are at stake. I’m more than equipped to do whatever it takes to meet my professional goals, even if it means secretly making out with my co-worker in a bar bathroom.

Which is what I want right now more than any delicious cocktail.

Of course, it’s more than my professional life at stake, isn’t it? But that’s not something I can face right now. It’s karaoke night.

Another singer takes the stage, and I immediately recognize her voice.

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