Page 58 of I'm Not in Love (I Promise)

“I’m about to full name you again.” She narrows her eyes. “Come on, let’s go eat before I beat your round ass.”

“Remember it’s my birthday week.” Smiling, I bat my lashes at her.

“How could I forget?” she says with a smirk. We’re seated at a table in the back and out of habit, I scan the place for anyone I recognize. Not two minutes after we’re seated, the door opens, and all three guys walk inside.

I guess I don’t need pics now.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

DAMON

Blake’s glaringat me from across the restaurant like I knew she would. Too bad, though. I’m not going to take any chances. Not after our cameras picked up the same car outside Blake’s house multiple times in the past two days.

I won’t tell her. There’s no reason to get her more stressed and upset. It’s her birthday week and I want to make it the best one she’s ever had.

“Are we going to pull up some chairs and join them?” Leon asks. “Or is this a covert thing?”

“She already saw us come in, so we may as well join them,” I answer.

“Sweet, I’m starving. What do you think’s good here?” Jasper grabs a menu from a table occupied by some young college kids and flashes them a shit eating grin. “Besides Blake.”

I punch his arm, not caring that it’s his “bad” arm. At this point, I’m convinced he’s milking it for all it’s worth. Either that or those painkillers he’s still popping work too well. We reach the table and Blake’s friend, Falin, slowly turns her head to look us over.

“What are you guys doing here?” Blake asks, irritation in her tone.

“Don’t be rude, Blake. Introduce us to your friend,” Jasper cuts in. There’s nothing discreet about the way he checks Falin out.

“Do you mind if we grab some chairs and join you?” Leon asks, laying on the charm.

Falin and Blake exchange a silent conversation—all wide eyes and raised brows. Finally Blake relents. “Fine, I was just telling Falin about you guys actually, so I guess the timing isn’t terrible.”

“All good things, I hope?” I grab a chair from a vacant table and squeeze it in as close to Blake as it can get, resting my palm on her thigh. She tilts her head onto my shoulder so I can brush a kiss on her cheek.

“We haven’t gotten to the good parts yet. I’m Falin Sinclair, by the way.” She scrutinizes each of us with smoky gray eyes. “You’re obviously Damon,” she says to me. “And I’m guessing the huge blond is Jasper.” She turns to her side where Leon’s just pulled a chair beside her. “And you’re Leon?”

“Good guesses,” I say.

She shrugs. “I’ve always had a way of reading people. Grew up with a family of cops, even the ones who aren’t blood related. The chief is my godfather, the entire department showed up to my college graduation. Some things are just second nature.”

“Intimidating… I like it.” I glance at Leon and can already see the wheels in his head spinning. Falin could be a huge asset in finding Bailey.

“Can you handle a weapon?” Jasper asks.

She rests her chin in her palm and smirks at Jas. “Of course I can. Big, small. I can and have handled them all.”

The server stops at our table to take our order and in the distraction, Jasper leans and whispers loud enough that both Blake and I can hear. “I think I’m in love.”

“Absolutely not,” Blake scolds through closed lips. “Hands off my best friend.”

“Aww, sweetheart, are you jealous? Don’t worry, you’re still our best girl.” I raise a brow in warning just as Blake kicks him in the shin under the table. “Ow, Christ! What are those, steel-toed boots?”

“No, but thanks for the idea,” she says with a mischievous smile.

We order lunch and right away Leon and Falin fall into conversation about the tech world. It’s nice to see Leon being talkative. He’s been so reserved lately. Jasper and I can barely get a few words out of him that aren’t about work.

I whisper to Jasper, “You may have some competition, buddy.” He scoffs but throws Leon a dirty look. Damn, I love stirring the pot.

“I was thinking, maybe it would be okay if Falin and I stay at Brennan’s. I won’t be alone there, and you guys can keep an eye on things,” Blake suggests.

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