Page 89 of Tempting Him

He doesn’t reply,so I slip the phone back in my pocket and find Trevor, Renzo, and Ronan shortly after. Trev tells me Dom had to work, and Dex and Violet are supposed to be heading over in a little bit.

The four of us grab some beers and squeeze into a spot near the main stage, staying there until we need more beers. At ten-thirty, Joel shows up with a friend of his, and I end up talking to him near some henna station where two teen girls are getting their hands done.

He’s flirting with me, sticking close to my side and making sure to touch my arm or shoulder every so often. Renzo watches from several feet away as they scarf down some wings and raises his brows at me.

I shake my head and grin, focusing on Joel. He’s a good guy. Attractive, and somebody I’d definitely give a chance to.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I expect some smart ass text from Zo when I pull it out and look at it.

Alek:I have a question.

My pulse spikesfor an unknown reason. Maybe it’s because this means he’s still thinking about me. He wants to talk and that has to mean something.

Me:What’s that?

Alek:Is it still mine?

A surgeof excitement shoots through me and desire thrums in my veins when I read and reread his text. I hold my phone in both hands, fighting a smile as I stare at the screen, deciding how to respond.

Me:Do you want it to be?

Alek:Just answer the question.

I laugh at the screen,glancing up to see Joel standing in front of me, talking to his friend. His eyes flicker to me, curiosity burning in his eyes.

“Sorry,” I tell him. “Old friend.”

He grins, giving me a slight nod.

Me:Yes.

Alek:Then why are you talking to the man who wants to get into your pants?

37

My head snaps up,eyes scanning the area around me. He’s here.

“I’ll be back,” I tell Joel before jogging toward my friends. “I think he’s here.”

“Who?” Trevor asks.

“Alek. He texted me and knew who I was talking to.”

“What?” Trevor looks around even though I’m not sure he knows what he looks like. The only time he saw him, he was fairly drunk.

I keep spinning around, searching for his face in the crowd. It’s packed, especially now that the headliners are about to start performing. He was close enough to see that I was talking to Joel, though.

Me:Where are you?

He doesn’t reply,and I’m left wondering where the hell he is. There’s no way he’d know who I was talking to unless he was nearby.

“Maybe he has someone spying on you,” Renzo offers as he licks sauce from his fingers.

“That would be creepy,” Ronan says. “But also telling. He’d have to like you a pretty good amount to have someone stalk you.”

I roll my eyes. “He’s not stalking me. He must’ve come for the festival, but where the hell is he?”

As I study the faces in this little food court area, I notice Trevor and Ronan glance past me as Renzo stays focused on his food.

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