Page 59 of Burn It Down

I pull into the underground parking garage at Jake’s building with no trouble from the guard this time. All of Jake’s cars are here except the Corvette. Although the clutch doesn’t actually need to be replaced, Jake asked me to keep it and condition his seats until they’re like mine, so Joany’s still at the shop. Truthfully, I like having a piece of him there.

I bristle when I notice there are not one, buttwocars in his guest spots. Right as my ignition shuts off, I get a text from Jake.

Jake 6:44pm

I’m really sorry about this. I didn’t know she was coming until she was already here. If you just go with it, I promise I’ll make it up to you.

Wondering whoshecould be, I grab the flowers for Cora off my passenger seat and head for the elevator. Punching in Jake’s elevator code, my nerves begin to get the best of me and increase with every floor the elevator rises on the way to his penthouse.

A minute later, it spits me out in his foyer and he’s standing there holding a Corona for me. I smile when I see the lime shoved down the neck of the bottle.

As perfect as that is, and as much I want to down the whole thing, I want to run my lips down the column of his throat even more.

How dare he look so fucking good when I can’t touch him. Hell, I can’t even allow my gaze to linger.

I attempt to get myself in check and grab the drink, relaxing now that I’m back in his presence. I’m thankful for these few stolen seconds before I have to watch him play a role that will eventually kill him.

He looks as delicious as always in a pair of jeans and a blue and gray button down. His brown hair is perfectly styled, longer in the front and on top, it’s swept back off his forehead in that neatly messy way that makes it look like post-sex, model hair. But what really catches my eye is the scruff on his face.

I can’t stop myself from switching the flowers to the crook of my other arm and reaching up to trace his jaw with the fingers of my now-free hand.

“I like it,” I tell him quietly.

“You inspired me,” he whispers back, his eyes closing at my touch.

“But it covers up your perfect jawline,” I whisper, leaning in close and placing an open-mouthed kiss under his ear, at the start of said jawline. “And Ireallylike your jawline.”

Also, I’m really fucking bad at this only-friends thing.

“Dually noted,” he exhales raggedly.

Hearing footsteps growing closer, I step away and busy myself by taking a long pull from the bottle in my hand just as Cora comes around the corner.

“Hi Dylan! I’m so glad you could make it!” She places a hand on my shoulder and stands up on her tip-toes to kiss my cheek.

“Thank you for inviting me. These are for you.” I hold the simple bouquet out for her and her eyes widen in delighted surprise.

“Oh, thank you!” She claps her hands together and begins to lead us back to the kitchen where I hear soft music playing. “I briefly thought about hosting this dinner at my house, but I thought you’d be more comfortable here since you’ve been herebefore. Plus,” she adds with a laugh, “my place is a little stuffier than this and my parents are so nosy.”

Jake immediately defends her like a good boyfriend.

“Cor, your place isn’t stuffy. It’s a beautiful representation of the order, control, and high quality you expect from your life.”

Cora sticks her tongue out playfully. “Makes me sound so boring, doesn’t it?”

I chuckle. “Knowing what you want out of life doesn’t sound boring at all. It sounds admirable.”

Cora gives me a soft smile and pats my arm again as she moves toward the cabinet with Jake’s glasses, no doubt retrieving something to put the flowers in. Glancing at Jake, I catch him staring at her with narrowed eyes like she’s a puzzle he can’t quite figure out.

Before I get a chance to ask him what’s wrong, the sound of more footsteps approach from the hallway to the right of the kitchen.

“Whitney,” Jake starts, “this is my friend, Dylan. Dylan, this is Cora’s best friend, Whitney.”

My stomach sours.

Somehow, I could handle the thought of dinner with Jake and Cora. I wasnotprepared to have to find ways to politely turn down advances all night…and based on the look on Whitney’s face right now, there will be plenty of advances.

I shake her hand and nod curtly. “Nice to meet you, Whitney.”

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