Page 80 of His Secret Gift

He shrugs nonchalantly, running a hand through his messy hair. “Sorry. I just can’t help wondering how many men you’re going to string along tonight.”

“Excuse me?” My vision narrows in on him like a bull seeing red. “Even if I am, what’s it to you?”

He shakes his head and lets out a harsh laughter. “Well, you kissed me the other night, and now you’re here flirting with god knows how many guys.” He smirks bitterly before tipping up an already empty glass. “I should’ve known you’d be like every other woman.”

Now I’m starting to understand the full picture. “How much have you had to drink tonight, Jack?”

“Enough,” he murmurs.

“Okay, here.” I take the glass out of his hand and replace it with my water bottle. “Drink some of this.”

He abides.

I rise on my tippy toes and look for his friends. “Where is Bryant? What about Jenkins?”

“I don’t know.”

He’s slumped over the bar by this point.

Fortunately, I see Captain Bryant out of the corner of my eye, and I successfully wave him over.

“I think he’s ready to go.”

He nods before putting Jack’s arm around his neck and helping him up.

“Thank you.”

“No, thank you.”

The two of them head out of the bar, and I soon feel strong, masculine hands at either side of my hips.

When I turn around, it’s Mehdi.

“My shift is over. Ready for that dance?”

I glance around the room and see Amine getting close with another girl, so I take that as my “permission,” not that I need it from him or anything, of sorts, and I smile widely.

“Let’s do it.”

He spins me around and leads me deep into the crowd.

“You think he was good. Just wait until you see what I can do.”

He inserts one of his legs in between mine, and he grinds against me. I take his lead and do the same.

By the way he’s moving, I swear I feel like Baby inDirty Dancing.

All I need is the watermelon,I joke to myself.

“What’s funny?”

“Nothing, nothing. Sorry.” I don’t want him to think I’m laughing at him, but I also don’t want to explain my nerdy joke to him… if he’d even get it. I’m not sure ifDirty Dancingis allowed in this country. I know it’s liberal compared to the surrounding areas, but still.

As we continue to dance, I am having a good time, but much to my chagrin, the real face I wish I was staring at each time he dips me is Jack’s.

The next morning,I go to his apartment nice and early.

“Oh, it’s you.” Captain Bryant answers.

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