Page 73 of Trouble

“Always good to put in the effort, though,” Carmella chimes in. “Now go on, you three. The night is young. Enjoy the festival.”

With Melina between us, we wander the street, stopping as she peruses the goods and makes a purchase at almost every stall. Conversation is easy between Cade and me as she chats with everyone she meets.

My body is finally beginning to relax, and I’m realizing that things haven’t changed that much since before I knew what Cade’s touch felt like. Maybe it really is just a sexual thing. It doesn’t have tomeananything more than that. He’s my best friend, and we enjoyed sharing a woman. Sure, it may be hot when the three of us are together and body parts brush against one another, but?—

“I’m officially starving,” Melina says, pointing at Thames. The sky has gone from burgundy to black, and the bar on the water looks cozy, all aglow the way it is. The stars twinkle above it, and beyond, the dark water appears almost angry as it thrashes against the docks.

Cade wraps one arm around Melina’s waist and kisses her neck. His other arm is loaded down with her purchases. “Our girl did get quite the workout this afternoon.”

Our girl.

My heart thumps wildly against my sternum. I love the sound of it. Love the idea that she’s ours.

That the woman I’m obsessed with isn’t just his. She’s mine too.

Feeling bold, I step in close on her other side. “Eat up, sweetheart. You’ve got more work to do tonight.”

She inhales sharply, and all I can do is imagine that her nipples are poking against the green sweater beneath her winter jacket.

Melina wraps a hand around my neck, pulling me even closer, and kisses me. Her tongue is sweet from the cider she picked up at one of the booths, the flavor intoxicating. I moan against her, surprised by the easy affection.

My surprise turns into a strange heat I’ve neverexperienced when she turns, wraps her other arm around Cade’s neck and she repeats the move with him.

I watch on, studying the way he dips his tongue into her mouth, how he bites down on her bottom lip and gently tugs, like he’s relishing not only her taste, but mine.

“Come on, you two,” I grunt. “I’m not going to make it through dinner if we keep this up.”

Melina laughs against Cade’s mouth, and when she pulls away, they turn in unison, both smiling. They’re so similar in so many ways. Happy. Light.

Their smiles are enough to ease the constant weight pressing down on my shoulders.

I take off toward the restaurant. If my mind keeps running in this direction, I’ll be tempted to force them back to my house now, but we need sustenance first.

Thames is loud and crowded with townspeople seeking refuge from the chilly night. But when Hailey spots us, she motions to the hostess to set up a booth for us by the fireplace. Like all small towns, Bristol has its share of problems, but good service is not one of them. I hold a hand up to Hailey in thanks as we’re led toward the table. Halfway there, Cade splits off and disappears to the bathroom.

Melina slides into the booth, and I settle on the other side. “God, I love this place,” she says as she removes her jacket.

I roll my neck from one side to the other, working out a kink. “Don’t miss the city?”

She bites her lip. A nervous tic, I’ve come to realize.

What does she have to be nervous about now? Jason should no longer be an issue. And if he is, she’s got Cade and me to keep her safe.

“Not really,” she says, focusing on the table between us.

Cade reappears, and though I expect him to slip in on Melina’s other side so she’s between us in the round booth, he pushes into mine so I’m in the middle.

With a steady breath, I will myself to act normally. I’ve sat next to Cade in this bar plenty of times. Though I’ve never been so focused on the way his knee brushes up against mine as he spreads his legs wide and turns his body toward us. “You know, I’m pretty sure you’ve bought agift from every person in this town,” he says over me, his focus entirely on her.

Her responding laugh is raspy, pulling my attention from Cade for a moment. As I’m watching her, he rests his arm on the back of the booth behind me.

“I’ve always loved Christmas,” Melina says. “I love watching people open gifts, and I love spoiling my family.” Her voice trails off at the end, and pain flashes across her face. “If I can’t spoil my family this Christmas, then at least I can support the shopkeepers here.”

I reach beneath the table and squeeze her knee, hoping the gesture is reassuring.

The server appears then, focus set on her order pad. “What can I get you to drink?”

When she looks up and scans us, her eyes widen, and I swear she takes a step back. Is she cataloging every point of contact? My hand on Melina’s knee, Cade’s arm around me, his knee touching mine. Or am I being paranoid? Can she even see anything but Cade’s arm slung casually over the back of the bench?

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