Page 111 of Puck and Prejudice

JACKSON

I’m feeling pretty smug as I head to the hotel bar, but that vanishes when I see Izzie sandwiched between Grayson and Frederico, completely at ease. I’ve known the guys for a long time, and I can tell from miles away when they’re being extra charming.

Fuckers.

I’m supposed to pretend I don’t like seeing Izzie there, but now that I’m annoyed with my friends, my scowl is genuine.

Frederico is the first to notice my approach. “Hey, Darcy’s here.”

Izzie looks in my direction, and bang, my heart takes off, pounding so hard it feels like there’s a stampede happening in my chest.

“What isshedoing here?” I ask.

Izzie’s spine becomes tense. “Excuse me?”

“Geez, Jacks, will you relax?” Grayson takes a sip of his drink.

“Izzie came a day early, and we just ran into each other,” Frederico replies.

“Why are you giving him an explanation?” She turns to my friends. “He doesn’t own the bar.”

I narrow my eyes. “If you’re here to pester me about the damn Sevillanas, you’ve wasted your time.”

She snorts. “As if I care if you crash and burn at the reception.”

The corners of my lips twitch up, and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to prevent a smile. Luckily, Grayson and Frederico aren’t looking at me.

Izzie’s annoyed expression doesn’t waver. She’s better at pretending than I am.

“Oh darling, you wish I’d make a fool out of myself. That won’t happen.”

“Okay, let’s get Jackson a drink, STAT.” Grayson signals the bartender. “Another IPA for my friend here.”

The plan was to have a drink at the bar and then head over to the restaurant. But that means watching my friends flirt with Izzie. They’d never go after her, but they know their antics would annoy the fuck out of me.

“I don’t want a drink. Can we head to the restaurant?”

Frederico shrugs. “I’m good to go. How about you, Izzie?”

She’s drinking some kind of martini, either chocolate or expresso. The glass is almost empty, and she finishes the drink before replying, “Sure. I’m ready.”

“Wait—you invited her to join us?” I raise my voice on purpose, earning a few curious glances. Maybe I should take the theatrics down a notch.

Grayson stares me down. “Yes, Jackson. We invited Izzie. Stop being such a child.”

If this wasn’t a ruse, I’d take offense. My friends’ reactions to my antics are amusing as fuck though. But my enjoyment vanishes when Izzie stands up and Grayson and Frederico check her out. I want to punch them both in the throat for ogling my girlfriend.

“You two go on ahead. I’d like a word with Izzie…alone,” I say.

They trade a look, then both glance at Izzie. “Are you okay with that?” Grayson asks.

Jesus. When the hell did they turn into her bodyguards?

“Yes, it’s fine.”

Grayson gives me a warning glance that tells me I should behave. I keep my expression neutral.

“What did you want to talk to me about?” Izzie asks when they’re gone.

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