Page 88 of Not That Impossible

“Snap out of it.” I grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “Adam, Ray can make his own choices. He’s a grown man. He is Liam’s age. I’m sure he’s done the dating-app thing before. And even if he hasn’t—” I stared deep into Adam’s eyes, “—you can’t just make him bend to your will.”

He stared back into my eyes. “I fucking can,” he said.

“You are so creepy sometimes.”

He gave me a feral smile. “Yeah. Has he gone yet?”

“Yes.”

Adam slumped bonelessly in his seat. “I’m adjusting my plan,” he said. “Ray should have jumped me by now.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “I’m going to lose it if I see him on a date, Jasper,” he said.

“You’ll be fine,” I said.

He was, mostly.

I was the one who lost it.

We saw Ray on a date two days later.

With Liam.

19

Iwas waiting to be served at the bar when Liam came in.

It was a Thursday night and The Lion was loud, hot, and busy. I hadn’t been out for weeks. Post-work classes at the gym were always popular and, by the time I’d done three in a row, got home, and showered, I didn’t have the energy left for more socialising.

For once my schedule had lined up with Adam’s and he’d suggested meeting for a pint like the wild and crazy youngsters that we were, rather than hanging out at the coffee shop all the time. What the hell, I thought. Why not?

And then Liam came in.

I saw his reflection in the mirror over the bar. He was wearing a deep burgundy sweater, dark indigo jeans, and he had a hint of gingery stubble. He’d done something to his sandy blond hair. He looked great.

I turned to face him, and gave a hesitant wave.

Liam blushed.

It was faint, but it was a blush. It wasn’t an I’m-getting-annoyed-with-you-Jasper kind of blush, either. He looked uncomfortable.

I cocked my head. What was—

“Jasper, hey,” Lenny said behind the bar. “Jas. Wake up, come on. I haven’t got all night. Drinks.”

I collected the drinks and paid. Liam moved on. I looked around for him as I went to sit with Adam and a couple of mates. I set our drinks down on the table, still looking for Liam, and eventually spotted him over in the restaurant area.

That should have made me suspicious, straight away. Nice clothes, did something with his hair, sitting in the restaurant area like the last time I saw him on a date.

But I wasn’t suspicious at all.

Instead, I sat there staring at him. He was studying his phone, resting stone face in place. As I watched, he scowled and started typing.

God, I even liked his scowls.

“What are you smiling about?” Adam said, nudging me and taking a swig of beer.

I shook my head and didn’t say anything.

So.

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