Page 68 of The Trade

“Yeah, Cass.” I snort in amusement. “We’re on a date, and Shan brought her roommate.”

Cassidy’s eyes narrow, a mischievous glint in her gaze. “He’s kidding,” Shannon rushes to say. “Um, actually, they’re together now. West and Jade.”

“Huh.” Cassidy’s tone drips with intrigue. “Really?”

“Yes, really,” I say, my voice carrying an undertone of exasperation. Then, without hesitation, I wrap my arm around Jade’s waist, pulling her gently against my side. A thin sheen of sweat forms on my brow as I brace myself for the ensuing conversation.

Cassidy gives me a sly look. “It’s just ... that’s kind of ironic, isn’t it?”

Jade tilts her head. “How so?”

“Well—” Cassidy twirls a strand of her hair between her fingers, her gaze piercing. “When I lived with O’Connor, West was dating me. But now that you’re living with her, West is suddenly dating you.”

“Oh,” Jade says awkwardly, her confusion mingling with obvious discomfort.

“O’Connor,” Cassidy says, crossing her arms and leaning in. “What do you think about that?”

“I mean, it’s just a coincidence,” Shannon says with a shrug, attempting to diffuse the tension.

“Hmm, yeah,” Cassidy drawls, her tone dripping with skepticism. “Such a funny coincidence, isn’t it, West?”

I attempt to unclench my jaw as I respond, frustration simmering beneath the surface. Cassidy’s words stir up memories that I’d rather forget. She knows full well the truth, that we were never together in the way she implies.

In fact, I’m fairly certain she was involved with half the team at the time. As for me, I’ve always been more of a one-woman kind of guy. One at a time, anyway.

Now, it’s just one and only. And it’s all the time if I can have it my way.

“Anyway, it was nice to see you guys,” Cassidy says with a fake smile. “Daddy’s waiting in the car, so I better get going.”

“Good to meet you,” Jade offers politely, her voice laced with a touch of relief.

“Yeah.” Cassidy smirks, her words tinged with an undercurrent of bitterness. “It was great meeting you, Jane.”

I wince inwardly as she walks away, her absence leaving an uncomfortable silence in its wake.

“Well then.” Jade clears her throat, her tone a mix of curiosity and caution as she raises a brow.

Shannon steps in to apologize on behalf of her friend. “Sorry, she’s not usually that ... spiteful.”

“Nah, I get it,” Jade says, waving off her concern. “It’s always hard to see your ex with someone new.”

“She’s not actually my ex,” I say, frustration seeping into my voice, my tone defensive. I want to set the record straight, to ensure that Jade understands the truth.

Jade’s response is measured, her gaze steady as it meets mine. “Well, she definitely lived with Shan. So, I guess that makes her an ex-roommate, at the very least.”

Shannon chimes in, attempting to shed some light on the situation. “Yeah, she’s probably just a little jealous.”

Jade’s eyes flicker toward me, seeking confirmation. “I’m assuming you didn’t have a great breakup?”

I protest once more, my words carrying an undercurrent of exasperation. “We weren’t together.”

Jade’s voice falls to a mumble. “Okay.”

I lock eyes with her, desperate to bridge the gap. “Jade ...”

She turns toward the street, a hint of tension in her stance. “Look, Ace just pulled up. We should really get going.”

My spine stiffens at the thought of any lingering tension between us. “Are we fighting?”

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