Page 117 of The Penalty

“Yeah. We haven’t really spoken much lately.”

He cocked his head to the side. “Care to elaborate?”

“Nothing to elaborate on. She’s busy. I’m busy.”

“Lot of bullshit falling out of your mouth,” he scolded. “How can you be too busy for her?”

I arched an eyebrow. “We text every day. And we’re going to speak later. Not that it’s any of your bloody business.”

Cade leaned back in his chair, casually sipping his beer and smirking at me. “You’re going to marry her, aren’t you?”

A weird ache in my chest briefly prevented me from breathing.

That’s not normal.

I dismissed it as acid reflux from all the scotch.

“People keep throwing that word around.” I downed the rest of my drink, adding to the discomfort.

Cade laughed. “Mate, you should see your face right now. You shouldn’t be afraid of marriage.”

“Says the guy with three hobbies on stand by.”

He waved his hand dismissively. “I will say I’m surprised it’s you diving into the whole long-term relationship thing. Always thought Bennet would settle down first.”

The more Cade examined me with amusement, the more I wanted to go home. Larger-than-life personality aside, he was observant as fuck and as soon as he’d catch a whiff of vulnerability from me, he’d pounce.

My silence only confirmed whatever he was thinking.

“I’m happy for you.” He knocked his glass against mine. “But if I’m not the best man, there will be hell to pay.”

I shook my head and laughed. Cade glanced over my shoulder with intrigue.

“Interested duo moving in behind you.”

“Of course,” I muttered. Normally I didn’t mind getting noticed. Wasn’t really feeling it tonight, though.

“Gentlemen.” A statuesque blonde paused next to me, resting her hand on my shoulder. “Hope we’re not bothering you. My friend here—” she gestured at the petite brunette standing next to Cade “—tells me you’re both footballers. I don’t really follow the sport. I said you both worked in advertising. Do I owe her a drink or what?”

Cade didn’t waste any time indulging them. “You do. But I insist on paying if you’d both like to join us.”

They did.

The blonde sat next to me, the brunette next to Cade. It didn’t take long for us to learn their names, occupations, and favorite drinks.

Stacia (the blonde) worked in real estate and loved red wine. Pippa (the brunette) was a candy heiress who only drank beer.

A candy heiress? Scotch, and annoyance at my friend, burned through my blood. I did my best at fake smiling while they flirted around me.

The usual shit.

A wanton smile. A soft laugh.

A hand on an arm or a leg.

In my case, Stacia not only grabbed my thigh but made sure to curl her hand around it.

“My flat isn’t too far from here.” Her low voice pushed through the hum of conversation and into my ear. “You should take me home. Teach me everything you know about—” her hand slid further up my thigh “—football.”

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