Page 18 of Fool Me Once

Suddenly, I frown, turning toward him. “Why are you asking about my sister anyway, dipshit?”

“No reason. I just, you know, don’t know her that well. When Rowan was dating her, I think I only saw them a few times together. Any time I’ve spent with her, your ass has been around,” he says, shrugging his shoulders. When he’s met with my harsh stare, he points to the door. “Oh, look, they’re walking in.”

I’m still weirded out that he seems so curious about my sister,especially after knowing her for all the years we’ve both been Sharks. But I’m more annoyed that he mentioned her shithead ex’s name around me because I hate that fucker. Even if he and Ryder used to be best friends, I make it known that I can’t stand him.

When my eyes look toward the door and I take in the angel walking into the bar, any thought I previously had leaves my brain, and all that’s left is thinking about how fucking beautiful Gemma Jones is.

Even in a dive bar packed with bodies, it’s his stare I feel on me when I first walk in. It’s suffocating and debilitating.

And annoying as hell because my skin prickles in a way it shouldn’t.

I glance to the place I feel his eyes coming from, and sure enough, he’s walking toward where his sister and I are, but his eyes remain on me. I hate how my body—even after all I’ve been through lately—betrays me and melts purely from his gaze. My heart speeds up, and my scalp prickles. He shouldn’t be allowed to watch me the way that he is.

What gives Smith the right after all this time? And after everything he’s done?

If he’s staring like this now, around all these people, I can’t even imagine living alone with him. He’s only doing it to toy with me—I know it.

Since we were just kids, it’s been the same old story. Girl is obsessed. Boy doesn’t feel the same. I might have fallen for him long ago, but this time around … he’s not fooling me.

He already fooled me once, and I’ll never let that happen again.

Saylor turns toward me, throwing her arm around my shoulders. “You bitch! You planned a surprise party? We hate surprises!”

Pulling my head back slightly, I give her an amused look. “No, Sails. I hate surprises; you secretly love them.”

A mischievous grin tugs at her lips, and she rolls her eyes upward, smiling bigger. “Guilty,” she singsongs, making me laugh.

Saylor has always put on an act, pretending she’s like me and she hates to be the center of attention. But the truth is, deep down, she thrives on it. I’ve always joked she should have skipped being a nurse and gone straight to Broadway because they’d likely hire her on sight. She’s bubbly, outgoing, animated, and everything I’m not anymore.

Now? I’m basically a rock in someone’s driveway. I’m just here.

But I wasn’t going to let the shit show that is my life stop me from giving my best friend the farewell party I knew she’d want.

Giving her a squeeze, I wink. “Go celebrate, sister. Tonight is about you.”

“Are you going to be okay?” she whispers, her eyes widening.

“I’ll be fine,” I promise her. “If I can’t socialize for a few measly hours of my life for my best friend, then we have a problem.” I give her a reassuring smile. “I’m okay. Go visit all these people who came out just for you.”

Her eyes gloss over, and she hugs me again.

“I love you,” she murmurs, kissing my cheek. “I’m going to go now before I turn into a little bitch, crying at my own party.”

Releasing me, she disappears into the crowd, leaving me alone, wondering how I’ll pass the time tonight. The majority of the people here are work friends of hers, and there are only a few I’m familiar with.

“Need a drink?” a deep voice says from behind me.

Turning slowly, I take in a handsome man, who must be at least six foot two with a thick head of dark brown hair and eyes so blue that they freaking twinkle.

“You’ve gotta be Portland’s own version ofGrey’s Anatomy’s McDreamy.” The words come out before I can stop them, and I cover my mouth instantly.

For a split second, he stares at me, almost as if he can’t believe I just said that. In my defense, my ex-fiancé kept me on a short leash, and I guess I forgot how not to be a complete weirdo out in public.

Suddenly, he starts laughing, and because I already want to crawl out of my skin, I laugh along with him.

Saylor told me there was a hot doctor she worked with who was friends with her and a lot of their coworkers. She wasn’t kidding when she said he was attractive either. Lucky for the girls in here, hoping he’ll take themhome. But I have no interest at all in dating or hooking up with anyone at this point in time.

Heck, maybe ever.

---