Page 58 of Undone

She crossed her arms. “You know… friends with benefits. No strings. Casual. Just fun. Not exactly a new concept.”

The words made my mind spin. I stared at her for a moment, trying to process what she was suggesting.

But she had a point. I could… let go for once, without overthinking it.

Maybe Dorian didn’t have to be complicated.

Maybe he could be… fun.

I caught sight of him heading toward our table, his gaze fixed firmly on me.

“I don’t know… I don’t think it’s like that with us.” The lie slipped off my tongue. I forced a smile. “I think he’s just protective, that’s all.”

She gave me a knowing look, one that said she wasn’t buying it, but thankfully, she didn’t push any further. “If you say so,” she said.

Before I could respond, Dorian reached us.

“Noah,” he greeted, his gaze glancing briefly to Lana before moving back to me.

To my mouth.

Well, so much for trying to convince her otherwise.

“Dorian,” I replied, my voice more breathless than I’d intended. “Out for a drink with Colt?”

“Yeah. Trent is wedding planning with Dotty, but my dad texted me, wanting to spend time with Gracie, so I thought I’d swing by since it’s the weekend.”

“Makes sense,” I said, and his gaze lingered on me.

His tongue brushed over his lower lip as he studied me, and I almost combusted right there.

“Well, I just wanted to say hello.” He nodded toward the bar, where Colt was talking with the bartender. “I’ll let you two get back to it.”

“See ya,” I said as he turned away.

Once he was out of earshot, Lana shoved my shoulder. “Yeah… That was not”—she looked back to where Dorian now stood across the bar and made little air quotes—“just friends.”

“Oh, shut it.” I chuckled.

TWENTY-ONE

Dorian - August

PLAY WITH FIRE (FEAT. YACHT MONEY) - SAM TINNESZ

I followed her.

Like the dumb fuck I was.

I knew she would be at Outlaw’s—Dotty had let it slip earlier when I spoke to her. So, I roped my brother into coming along, just to keep things from looking too obvious.

My dad had been asking for a night with Gracie anyway, so I figured what better time than when the girl that I couldn’t stop thinking about was going out?

I spotted her the second I walked in. She was sitting at a table across the bar, one leg crossed over the other, the hem of her skirt riding up, making me wonder what was underneath. She shifted slightly, adjusting her posture, and I couldn’t help but say hi before settling at the bar.

I knew almost everyone in Woodstone well, but when it came to the teachers, I only knew their names and faces. And that made it harder to shake the unease gnawing at me about letting my girl wander off without anyone she knew around.

Fuck.She was not my girl.

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