Page 35 of Off Season

“Yes, it is,” I reply, keeping my eyes locked on him.

“Well, isn’t this cozy?”

The sound of the familiar voice halts this moment between us. I slowly turn around and am greeted with a face I haven’t seen in a decade. His smarmy smile makes me want to punch him in the face.

“Hello, Ethan. It’s good to see you.” Those eyes I used to love losing myself in trail down my body, but now all they do is make me feel sick. “You’re looking really well.”

I resist rolling my eyes. I jut my chin and grunt.

“This is my husband, David,” he says, introducing the man behind him, who steps forward and holds out his hand.

I glance down at the outstretched hand. Does Ian think he can act as if we’re long-lost friends? Doesn’t he recall leaving me at the airport without a single reason? Torpedoing our relationship into pieces without a simple goodbye?

And I’m not jealous of this guy. Hell, no. But I’m pissed that Ian thinks I’m just going to act like we’re old buddies.

Giving David’s hand a quick shake, because it’s not hisfault he’s married to an asshole, I try to stamp down my annoyance as I will not let him ruin Samantha’s wedding.

“This is my partner, Jacob.” I wrap my arm protectively around Jacob’s shoulders, bringing him close to me. He rests a hand on my chest, his fingers toying with the strap of my suspenders.

Ian’s eyes widen slightly as they trail over Jacob, before he manages to control his features. “It’s lovely to meet you, Jacob.”

“Thanks, although I wish I could say the same about you,” Jacob says coolly, forcing a tight-lipped smile.

I smother a laugh with my hand.

Ian’s mouth drops open. He looks at me, probably wondering how much Jacob knows and questioning whether I’m going to say something, which I won’t. Jacob can sass him as much as he likes.

“Could I…” Ian’s eyes bounce between Jacob and me. “Could we have a moment somewhere private? To talk?”

I tilt my head. “Whatever you have to say, you can say in front of Jacob.”

Ian looks over his shoulder to his husband, who simply kisses his cheek and walks away.

“It’s okay, I’ll go get us a drink.” Jacob leans up and kisses the corner of my mouth. “Macallan?”

I nod. “Thank you, baby.”

Whoa.Wait a second.Baby?

The word just slipped out of my mouth without a second thought.

The small smile that plays on his lips hits me square in the chest, and my eyes remain locked on his retreating form as he heads toward the bar.

“He’s not who I thought you’d end up with.”

My head snaps to Ian. That pleasant feeling quickly turns into anger as I wonder who the fuck he thinks he is. “Excuse me?”

He shrugs. “I assumed you would go for someone more…athletic. One of your locker room buddies since you used to spend so much time with them.”

The fuck?

I take a deep breath and mentally repeat to myself,Do not punch him in the face.

Do not. Punch him. In the face.

“You don’t know him—or me, for that matter. You gave up that right when you walked out of the life we had.”

He goes to roll his eyes, but manages to catch himself and lets out a sigh. “I suppose I should explain that.”

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