Page 10 of Jilted

“Isn’t there always?”

“I suppose.”

I didn’t want to sharethatstory, so I pushed the question back at him. “What would you be doing?”

“Lately? Scouring the streets looking for my little brother who sneaks out.”

I hadn’t expected him to saythat. But it made me smile. “I have two older brothers. They came looking for me a few times.”

His face was hopeful. “You learned your lesson?”

“I learned I didn’t get caught as easily if I snuck my boyfriend in, rather than sneaking out to meet them.”

Wilder frowned. “Great.”

I laughed. “How old is your brother?”

“Fifteen going on twenty-five.”

“I have a fourteen-year-old niece. I get it.”

Elijah came onto the dance floor. “Hey. Do you have the—” He did a double take when he got a close-up look at Wilder. “Wow. Now I get what you meant about those eyes.”

Wilder smirked. “Discussing my appearance with your friend, are you?”

I ignored his comment and spoke to Elijah. “What were you going to ask me?”

“Oh. Do you have the coat check ticket they gave you when they stored my camera equipment?”

“It’s in my purse. Why?”

“I need something out of my bag.” I noticed the cute guy he’d been talking to earlier waiting anxiously at the edge of the dance floor. I was a little afraid to ask what he needed.

“I’ll grab it for you.” I pulled away from Wilder, but he firmed his grip.

“Is your purse on the table?” he asked.

“Yes.”

Wilder lifted his chin to Elijah. “Grab it yourself, will you, mate?”

Elijah’s eyes sparkled. “No problem.” He wiggled his fingers and rushed off in a hurry.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked Wilder.

“Dancing.”

“You can’t tell someone it’s okay to go in my purse.”

“Is it filled with secrets?”

“No. But that’s not the point.”

He shrugged. “Okay. So what is the point?”

“You just—that’s rude. It’smypurse.”

Wilder looked me in the eyes. “I wasn’t ready to let go of you.”

---