Page 89 of Pick Me

When I turned back to him, his grin softened, his expression shifting as he took me in. My chest tightened, my throat thickened, and my eyes burned.

“What’s wrong?” His brows furrowed slightly. “I agree the takedown was a little corny, but I don’t think it’s worth crying over. We’ll work on it.”

I shook my head. “It’s not that.” I swallowed, exhaling shakily. “It’s just…” I hesitated, biting my lip. “I’ve never felt like this with someone before.”

His grip on my hand tightened. “Like what?”

“Desirable.” I felt mildly embarrassed admitting it.

Jackson’s chin dipped, his gaze darkening. Without a word, he slid out of his seat and moved into my side, closing the space between us. Slowly, he tilted my chin up, his fingers grazing my jaw, his eyes locked onto mine like I was something sacred. Something to be worshipped.

“You’re kidding, right?”

His lips pressed to the soft spot of my neck, slow and reverent, his breath warm against my skin, and I shivered.

“I hate the way you talk about the person I like most in this world.”

My heart clenched. “Jackson—”

His arms wrapped around me, pulling me close, pressing me flush against him. “Thea. You’re the best thing about this place.”

“That’s a bold statement.”

I felt his grin against my neck. “Not as bold as you. You’re a firecracker, and that’s the best thing about you.”

Heat curled low in my stomach, but before I could respond, Jackson’s phone buzzed on the table. His lips lingered against my skin as he reached for it, fumbling slightly before pressing it to his ear.

“Yes?”

His entire body tensed, and his face paled as his eyes flicked to mine. “Oh, hey, T. How’s it going?”

Tanner.

I hadn’t spoken to him since my night in the closet when he mentioned everything that happened with Aster. I assumed he was okay.

“No. No. I’m not busy.” I edged a little closer to Jackson in a vain attempt to hear their conversation. It was pointless in this bar with Bailey Hill’s latest track drowning it out.

“Come on. What’s up?” Jackson’s brows pulled together in a deep frown, his grip tightening. “Okay. Call me if you need me. Bye.”

The moment he placed his phone down, I pounced. “What was that about?”

“I don’t know. He said he wanted to talk but realized I was busy.”

“Oh.”

I jumped when my phone went off, and Tanner’s smiling face flashed across it. Needing to know what was going on, I answered, and Jackson moved out of my way as I shuffled to the exit.

“Hey, Tan Tan. How are you?” I asked, forcing a pep into my voice to mask the fact I’d just had his best friend’s hands all over me.

“Thea,” he said, and something about his tone made my spine straighten. “Oh, are you also at the bar?”

I froze.

The song.

I turned to Jackson, eyes wide.

“I’m sorry for bothering you,” Tanner continued. “Call me later when you get home.”

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