Page 10 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“Have I ever told you what a shit liar you are, Tallulah?”

I flip him off as he hands me the bottles. Screw him for being right. I turn with a huff, mentally preparing myself to be the third wheel in my own love life.

Thank God for beer and rage music. I’d go bat shit crazy, otherwise.

I jump when a hand reaches out, grabbing two of the beers. “Hey, Darlin, I was coming down to help you.”

Color me surprised.

Then I notice Stefani only a few inches from Owen’s side.

Eraser, please.

“I would have brought them to you.” I ignore Stefani, cocking her head in Owen’s direction, her eyes widening at me. Instead, I focus on Owen’s ridiculously sexy smile. A smile aimed at me.

Owen leans down, that glorious scruff brushing against my skin. “It’s getting a bit wild down here. You’re too tiny to walk around without a bodyguard.”

I appreciate his concern. Truly, I do. But, as per usual, it fires up my short woman indignation. “Are you my bodyguard now?”

“I can be a lot of things, Tally. Just name it.”

Meanwhile, Stefani is becoming more brazen with her non-verbal cues. Leaning against Owen for support, she pretends to adjust the strap on her heel while clearing her throat and sending me a side-eye glance.

It’s her signal—a signal for me to hit the highway, giving her some time alone with the man of the evening.Usually, that slight hint is enough. I’m a good wing woman, and most men don’t arouse my curiosity.

Owen is not most men. I’m so far beyond curious it’s ridiculous. In my mind, I’ve already stripped him down and licked every inch of him. Repeatedly.

I’m not willing to give him up without a fight. I walk the few steps to the bar, feeling Stefani as she sidles up next to me.

“Do you have dibs?”

“I’m assuming you mean Owen?”

“Obviously.”

“I thought you liked Dan,” I mutter.

“I do, but so does every other woman in here.”

“So, you’re interested in Owen as a fallback?”

“Jeez, Lu, you make me sound like an evil bitch!” she scoffs, downing another swig of her beer. “I’d like to get to know Owen better, but you saw him first. You can call dibs if you want.”

If only it were that simple.

“That isn’t how it works, Stefani.” I rub my brow, offering a mirthless laugh.

“You know I would never impede on your territory.”

I can lay claim to Owen right now, and my friend will be good to her word. She will back off. But that’s not fair to any of us. “You make him sound like a country to be conquered.”

“I wouldn’t mind conquering him,” she whispers, giving me a nudge.

Stomach contents, please stay where you are.

I need to end this conversation. Fast. “We’re going to a concert tomorrow night.”

“Why didn’t you say that you and Owen have a date?”

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