Page 23 of Lustful Nights

“I was meeting Preston. We’re going to grab a bite to eat before our shifts start. He left a thing here earlier, so we figured it would make the most sense to meet here.”

“Oh, yes. Our resident clumsy bartender. He’s at the bar grabbing something.”

“I’m right here.” Preston comes into view, side-eyeing Jonas as he walks past him. “Don’t worry, I didn’t break anything.” He rolls his eyes, walking past both of us. “I’m ready. Let’s go.”

“Okay?” I mumble, wondering what’s going on between Preston and Jonas. I’ve never noticed the tension before, but there was definitely something different about that.

“Are you cool with eating at the diner?” Preston asks, leading me out of the building into the warm sunlight.

“Sounds good. Let’s walk.”

We stride down the street, side by side. We’re both quiet, the sounds of the busy road the only thing we hear. I open the door to the diner, letting Preston go in first before I follow behind him. After getting a booth, we place our orders, and I can tell something is off with Preston.

“Hey, are you okay?” I ask, hating how silent he’s being. Preston may be a lot of things, but being this quiet is not one of them.

“I’m fine.” He blows a raspberry, rolling his eyes. “My boyfriend dropped me off at Peaches at the same time Jonas showed up. Jonas opened his mouth, saying stupid things that irritated me.”

“Like what?” The Jonas I know isn’t the type to butt into other people’s business. He’s usually very laid back and only gets involved in things when he’s needed, or when guys get too handsy. Which happens way more often than I would like to admit.

“That Marvin was a jerk.”

“Whoa. Why did he say that?” I 100% agree with Jonas, but I’m not going to say that to Preston.

“Marvin said a comment about making money, and Jonas was eavesdropping, adding his two cents to something that didn’t concern him.”

“I don’t follow.”

“Marvin said, ‘Make us a lot of money,’ and Jonas made a snide comment about how it’s my money, not his. It was uncalled for.”

“I mean, he’s not wrong.” Preston glares at me, and I put my hands up in surrender. “I just mean, it’s your money. But it’s your relationship and what you do in that is only your business. Well, yours and Marvin’s.”

“Yeah, well, Jonas needs to mind his own business.” He takes a sip of water, and I decide to change the subject.

“So, I want to buy some new outfits for my set. I was wondering if you wanted to come shopping with Declan and me tomorrow. I only have morning class, so I thought maybe we could go before our shift?”

“Yeah, that sounds good. I’m always down to go browsing for clothes.”

My phone buzzes on the table, and I smile when I see Jensen’s name.

Jensen:Question number 9

Jensen:Would you want to go on a date with me this week? Whenever you’re free.

I snatch up my phone and re-read his text a few times.

“Who’s that? It has to be someone special to have you smiling so big?”

I glance up at Preston, smirking. “Someone new. Afraid to say more than that and jinx it.”

“Well, whoever it is. I hope they’re better than any of your other boyfriends.”

“Oh my god, do you all ever get tired of making fun of my exes?”

“No,” he deadpans, before busting out laughing, grabbing his stomach. “But I won’t say anything else, I promise.”

“Yeah, yeah. Whatever,” I mutter, giving him a small smile so he knows I’m messing around with him.

My phone buzzes again in my hand and I gaze down at it.

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