Page 53 of Forever and Other Lies

“Hey, Derek,” Connor replied. “I hear that you’re dating Jayna Sutton.”

Derek shifted in the chair, narrowing his eyes at Ben. “Wonder where you heard that?”

“Two-date Brennan and Jayna Date-and-Dash dating is the talk of the town,” Ben grinned. “Heard she’s knocked up for real this time.”

Derek sent Ben a shut-your-mouth glare before helping himself to the pitcher of beer, pouring a tall glass. A loud, distinctive laugh came from the corner of the bar. Only one person belonged to that obnoxious laugh: Jayna. He hid the groan with a long swallow of beer. Just his luck.

Connor turned and stared in her direction. “You are so damn lucky.”

Apparently, his definition of luck was vastly different. His gaze trailed after Connor’s, landing on Jayna and another woman engaged in a game of pool with two fresh-faced paramedic recruits. A long table, known as the first responders’ corner, sat adjacent to the pool table. It had become the gathering spot for the fire department, police service, paramedics, and ER staff after a long day shift.A few nurses sat there with a couple of paramedics including Lance.

“She’s so beautiful,” Connor gushed, his eyes still trained on Jayna. “And a great pool player.”

More like a pool shark. Those two young paramedics were about to have their asses handed to them. Derek squinted, attempting to see Jayna through Connor’s eyes. Tonight, she wore tight blue jeans, a vintage Black Sabbath t-shirt, and her hair was loose in tumbling waves.

Admittedly, she did look beautiful along with having great taste in bands. He watched as Jayna lifted the tumbler of whiskey, downing it before letting out a loud whoop. Nope, her annoying personality overrode her hotness.

"She can drink most men under the table," Connor gushed. "She's nothing like the women I date. They prefer wimpy, fruity drinks, and not a single one appreciates a good dirty joke. But Jayna? She tells the best dirty jokes. She's something else."

“Oh, she’s something else alright,” Derek agreed. Just what that something was, he wasn’t sure. She was rough around the edges, but she had cleaned up real nice for Nick’s wedding. She could be classy when she wanted. She just chose not to be.

Derek’s eyes traveled to the table of her co-workers. Lance sat at the far end, a deep scowl on his face. His eyes were trained on Greta, who was completely ignoring the man. If Jayna wanted to win Lance’s attention, she had a long way to go. If she wanted the man to believe she was done with casual dating, why the hell was she flirting with those paramedics who looked as young as Ben?

Jayna let out another annoying as hell hoot when she made the winning shot and high-fived the woman with her. Her eyes met his from across the room, and she flashed him an instant smile. He smiled back and then frowned. What was that feeling that just zapped through him? Excitement? No, impossible.

She strolled in his direction. “Hey boyfriend, love of my life,” she snorted at the last part. “Shove over and make room for your girlfriend.”

Dragging a chair from the table beside them, she squeezed in next to him. “Hi, Ben. Hey Connor. Don’t you boys look handsome tonight.”

Connor visibly blushed under her attention.

“Done hustling for the night?” His tone sounded sulky, and he had no idea why. Despite his better judgment, he leaned close, his mouth inches from her ear. He couldn’t help but notice that her hair smelled like lavender. She’d switched her shampoo again. The woman couldn’t make up her mind to save her life. What if she decided to bail on this fake dating scheme?

“What’s with flirting with those two baby paramedics?”

Her head turned, and she stared directly into his eyes. Her pink glossed lips were mere inches from his. “Jealous?”

“Nope!” He lowered his voice to prevent Ben and Connor from overhearing. “If the plan is to show Lance Romance that you’re in a committed relationship, then you shouldn’t be acting like a trollop.”

She leaned back, her lips pursing. “Trollop? Is that even a word anyone under the age of eighty uses? And I was not flirting. I was merely being myself.”

“Which is a big flirt.”

“You are so jealous.” A laugh escaped those shiny, full lips.

He forced his eyes off her lips. “I am not. Just saying that if you’re my girlfriend, then you should be acting like it.”

“You’re jealous,” she repeated, blowing him a kiss.

“Hi Jayna, I thought that was you.” A brunette woman stopped next to their table.

“Maisie, how are you?” An icy coolness entered Jayna’s voice.

“Great, I guess you heard that I’m engaged.” Maisie’s perfectly manicured nails were thrust out and the large diamond ring glinted in the light.

“No, I hadn’t,” Jayna shrugged indifferently, which caused a deep frown to mar Maisie’s heavily contoured face.

“Oh, well, I am. And I just signed myself and my fiancé Wentworth up for the karaoke contest tonight.” Maisie pointed to a table where a preppy-looking man sat.

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