Page 39 of Undeniably Enemies

Oh, for fuck’s sake.

“No, I don’t think that’s necessary,” I say, but Alden waves that off.

“Nonsense. It’s been forever since I’ve seen you both. I’ll go let the host know.”

Keegan comes scrambling back over to me with a smile that tells me everything before she even has to say it. “Oh my god, he’s so hot. I want that tonight.”

“Keegan—”

“I know, I know. Jack. I’ll owe you big time, okay? Please, please do this for me.” She holds her hands up in supplication. “You’re used to ignoring him anyway.”

Argh. “Fine,” I groan. “Because I love you, and you will owe me for this.”

“Promise. All drinks and food are on me tonight too.” She kisses my cheek and grabs both of our drinks. Alden waves hishand in the air and points to a table, and we head in that direction.

“I think I’m going to take off,” I catch Jack saying to him as we approach the table.

“Aw, come on.” Alden slaps him on the back. “You were just telling me how you never go out. Stay for at least one more drink with us, then you can go hit on every woman at the bar.”

Barf. Knowing that’s what he was here to do, my face heats and my insides flinch as if someone is jabbing my organs with a red-hot poker. Naturally, Keegan takes the seat beside Alden, and now she’s going to owe me a kidney I can sell on the black market because I’m forced in beside Jack, who looks just as unhappy about this as I am.

The name of the game tonight with him is avoidance as it always is. But how can you avoid someone when their large frame is pressed against yours? The booth is too small. Not a problem for Keegan and Alden, but a huge problem for me and Jack. Our thighs are touching. Our arms are touching. And I’m not wearing a whole lot. Hardly anything.

Something Jack notices as he stares down at our thighs and curses. This time I hear him. He’s rigid while doing his best to create separation between us, even going so far as practically half-sitting in the walkway, and by doing so, almost trips a poor server with a tray loaded up with food.

Alden and Keegan are already playing catchup from times gone by, and while I’m happy for her because he’s always liked her and he’s not Loomis-I-only-want-to-be-friends-Powell, this night turned on me. I lift my drink and take a large swig only to finish it off.

“Another?” Jack asks me, and his voice startles me. Probably because I didn’t expect him to speak to me.

I glance up, capturing his icy-blue eyes with mine, and nod.

He signals a passing waitress and waves a hand, indicating that I should order. I get myself a second Manhattan becausewhy not, and she leaves only for our food to be delivered a moment later. Except now I’m not hungry.

Jack picks up a Wagyu spring roll. “You should eat,” he tells me as if reading my mind.

“Why’s that?” I can’t keep the contempt from my voice.

“Because you’re drinking strong drinks.”

“Thanks, Dad. Last I checked, I know how to take care of myself.”

“Do you though?”

Sometimes. Sometimes I’m better at it than others, but I think that’s all of us and not just me.

“You don’t have to be nice to me.”

“This isn’t me being nice. But you don’t have to be short with me,” he retorts. “Here.” He picks up the plate that was sitting in front of me and loads it up with some of everything. “There. Eat, please. I don’t want to have to scrape you off the bar floor.”

I roll my eyes at him, making sure he sees my annoyance, but I dutifully pop a piece of calamari in my mouth anyway.

“Good girl.”

I nearly choke. Did he just…

I peek back up at him, but he’s not paying me any attention. His gaze is cast over my head toward the TVs at the bar so he can see the game. He obviously didn’t mean itthatway. Must be nice to be that tall. On my left is a foggy glass partition I can’t see through. My second drink is delivered, and Keegan belts out a loud giggle. I sigh. I wonder how long I have to sit here with her.

I pick it up and start gulping it down. I wouldn’t mind getting a little or even a lot drunk right now.

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