Page 79 of Whiskey Neat

“Your friend is here.”

“Friend?” His brow creases, then he nods. “Oh. I forgot. Thanks.”

He stands and breezes past me, but before he can get far, I grab his arm. “What are you doing?”

“Having coffee with Jackson. I’m allowed a break, right?”

“Why?”

He blinks rapidly several times. “Are you jealous again? After I told you about what happened with him?”

“Why the change of heart? I thought you didn’t like him.”

“I don’t, Indy. He called me last night and practically begged.” He pats my chest. “But word to the wise? I don’t like being micromanaged. I shouldn’t have to tell you every little thing.”

“You should respect me enough to tell me why you’re spending time with another guy.”

He narrows his eyes. “You should trust me enough to know you have nothing to worry about.”

I scoff.

“Besides, I thought we were just casual fuck buddies,” Salem continues, but his tone is bitter and pointed.

The challenge in his voice stirs the most basic part of me, and I grip the back of his neck, pulling him into me and crashing my mouth into his. He doesn’t resist, just opens his mouth to me, clawing my t-shirt.

After a few seconds, I break the kiss and press my forehead to his. “I’m such an asshole.”

“Sometimes,” he says, but his tone is light. “I’ll remind you that you’re the hottest man on the planet and I get to touch you. Do you think I’d be interested in anyone else when I can have you?”

Kit’s words rush back and now I think I get it. I can’t ask him to be exclusive though. He doesn’t want that. Do I?

“I’m sorry.”

“Thank you. It’s flattering in a way, but trust makes everything work, from friendship to… whatever this is.”

“I know. We’re not even exclusive, but I guess I don’t want to see you with anyone else, you know?”

“Nothing to see, handsome. Just coffee and talking about things that happened almost fifteen years ago. I agreed so I could see if maybe he’ll say something that’ll help me let it go.”

“That’s smart.”

He pats my cheek. “I’ll tell you about it when you come over tonight. I have the house to myself for a few hours.”

“I can’t wait.”

Salem pulls himself away, smooths his shirt down, and continues to the front. I lean back against the wall, feeling like an idiot. I definitely have some new and unusual impulses and thoughts when it comes to Salem that I need to work out before I scare him away. It’d be great if I could lose this fucking jealous streak too. Where is that even coming from?

I force myself to go into the office, instead of up front where I’ll get worked up watching Salem and his so-called friend. Kit and Lowen stop talking as soon as I enter, and I’m pretty sure I was the topic.

“What?”

Lowen raises his hands. “Nothing. You good?”

“Yeah.” I drag a hand through my hair. “I need a distraction. Give me a task.”

Lowen’s face lights up. “Field trip to New Onyx? I found some amazing chairs, but they’re expensive so I’d like to see the quality in person. If they’re worth it, we can make them last for years.”

“Let’s do it.”

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