Page 105 of Vegas Heat

“I’m waiting for a Lyft. Why did you come out here, exactly?” I glare back.

She huffs out a sigh, but the way her eyes widen just slightly, the way they flick down to my chest like she’s thinking about rushing into me so I can wrap my arms around her…the actions speak louder than the words.Justin and I are very happy together.

Sure you are, Gabby. Sure you are.

She spins on her heel and heads back inside without answering me, and she just made one thing very clear.

Whatever is going on between her and Justin doesn’t matter. Because when it comes to the two of us…it’s not over.

CHAPTER 21: GABBY

I can’t focus on having fun after that exchange. When I saw him walking through the bar toward the doors, it set my blood on fire.

This thing between us…it’s passionate, that’s for damn sure. Whether it’s love or hate remains to be seen. It started as love, but now I think I hate him. The fact that he’s dangling himself in front of me constantly when I can’t have him just solidifies that feeling.

He passed right by my table like I wouldn’t see him. Everyone else at the table was laughing at the chugging contest between Brian and Chase, but I glanced away long enough to spot him.

Under Armour hat pulled down low. Tanned, strong arms. The chest I could lose myself in. The long legs covered in jeans. The firm torso covered by a black shirt with abs of marble underneath.

I didn’t need to see his face to know it was him, and I was propelled by a vodka-induced rage to confront him.

And that confrontation didn’t go so well. I wasn’t sure why I was even out there other than the fact that I was a little drunk and I wanted to see him.

He’s still so beautiful.

Too beautiful.

It’s not fair.

He was mine for such a short time, and I just want to go back to the way things were. I just want a weekend at a hotel where we’re two strangers who are falling in love.

I just want him back.

Is that too much to ask for?

I guess it is.

“You okay?” Justin asks when I get back to the table.

I close my eyes real tight as I try to ward off the tears, but it’s futile.

“Let’s get you home,” he says.

I blow out a breath and shake my head. “That’s wherehewill be,” I whisper to him. I catch Chloe looking at us from across the table, and I’m sure she’s wondering what we’re whispering about as I look to be on the verge of tears. She’s nice enough not to ask, but I’m getting to know everyone here at this table.

It won’t be long before our friendship forces me to either confess or lie, and I don’t want to lie to these people. But I can’t exactly confess the truth, either.

“All the more reason for me to take you there,” he says.

“Okay,” I murmur. He picked me up and drove me here, and he’s only had one drink the entire time we’ve been here. “Let’s head out then.”

“I’m gonna take Gabs home,” he tells the rest of the group.

“You two are getting awfully cozy,” Mackenzie says, and there’s a clear accusation in her tone.

They don’t know he’s not into me.

Justin tosses an arm around me and pulls me in close. “Yeah we are.” He gives an exaggerated wink to everyone at the table, and uproarious laughter follows us out the door toward his car.

---