Page 8 of Hard To Leave

“Oh,” she said, seeming a little disappointed but quickly recovered as she addressed Caden. “That’s okay. Hi, I’m Chloe. This is my friend, Carly.”

Caden gave her an appreciative once-over, his eyes lingering a bit longer than I liked. “Nice to meet you both,” he said, using that voice that I was all too familiar with. It was his ‘I’m interested’ voice. We would be having a chat later.

I shoved my hands into my pants pockets, wishing I didn’t have to leave. “I really wish I could stay and hang out with you. Can I at least get your number?” I asked, not wanting this conversation to end without there being a way for me to get in touch with her. I pulled my phone out, ready to program her number.

“Jack, dude. We’ve got ladies waiting.” Caden jerked his head sideways toward our table. Chloe followed his trail.

She gasped. “Oh my God; you’re on a date!” She straightened up, pinning me with a gaze that saidwhat the fuck. My cousin was dead.

“I’m sorry. I wish I wasn’t,” I said, hanging onto her stare, not wanting to break our connection. I wanted her to believe me, but there was no way I was going to be able to walk away without looking like a total douche. I knew she already thought I was a player, and this certainly didn’t help my case.

She waved her hand in the air like we were pesky mosquitoes and immediately dismissed us. “Please don’t let me keep you.” She turned to my cousin and forced a smile that I knew was fake. “It was nice meeting you, Caden.” She shot me an icy stare that had my balls shivering up. “Mr. Jenson, enjoy your evening.”

She turned around in her stool like she couldn’t get away from me fast enough. Our moment was gone. I didn’t get her number, and I was going to kick my cousin’s ass later when we got home.

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