Page 62 of Kismet

My gaze shifts to his left. A woman who could be his twin stands beside him, with a giant of a man in a leather cut and a flannel beside her. Must be his sister, but no clue who the guy is.

“It’s all good.” I offer a fake smile before bending down and grabbing my phone, which thankfully isn’t cracked or broken. It’s so fucking packed in here, it easily could’ve gotten stepped on.

When I stand up, the woman beside him is looking quizzically at me. She smiles genuinely before looking at Stone and clearing her throat, clearly wanting an introduction.Great.This should be fun.

“Cash, this is my sister, Molly, and her husband, Julian. Guys, this is Cash. He’s, uh. He’s a new professor at the university.”

“Hey, y’all. It’s nice to meet you,” I offer politely. Desperately wanting to get the fuck out of here.

“Cash!” his sister booms. “It’ssonice to meet you too!” She’s chipper as fuck, her eyes practically sparkling as she takes me in. Her husband says nothing, just nods his head at me with a smirk on his face. They’re both looking at me like they know a secret I’m not privy to. Which makes me wonder if Stone ever told them about us.

Not that it fucking matters.

“What can I get you, hun?” Spinning around, I see the bartender looking at me.

Shit, what did they want again? “Uh, can I get a Crown and Coke, two vodka crans, and an IPA?”

“Sure thing, doll. And you guys?”

“Oh, we aren’t togeth—” I’m cut off mid-sentence by Stone’s deep, gruff voice.

“Put it all on one tab. I got it.”

I whip my head around, meeting his gaze. “No. That’s not necessary. I got it.”

“Cash, it’s not a big deal.” He peers over my shoulder to the bartender. “Add two whiskeys on the rocks and another vodka cran to that, please.”

Un-fucking-believable.Why is this happening?! Now I have to sit here with all three of them while the bartender makes a whole damn tray of drinks. This is just fucking great.

“So, Cash,” Molly starts. “How are you liking Texas so far?”

Stone coughs as my gaze flies to him.How the fuck would she know I’m new to Texas?Unless… is he talking about me to her?!

No. Why would he?

But how else would she know?

“I’m liking it. The university is great, and it’s nice being back in Texas.”

“Oh, are you from here?”

“Dallas, actually. Lived there until I was in middle school.”

“Where’d you live after that?” The smile on her face is genuine, but she’s not as slick as she thinks she is.

“Molly…” Stone warns.

“What? I’m just making conversation.”

“It’s fine,” I reply. “Washington State. I attended Washington State University before moving here.”

Her face lights up, looking between Stone and me. “You know, Stone here used to be a professor there. Small world.”

I look at Stone, whose face is void of any emotion, and I can feel my blood pressure rising, and the need to flee is almost overwhelming. Molly probably means no harm, but fuck, that comment makes my blood boil.

“Yup. That was a long time ago. He left, though.” Turning my back on them, I’m happy to see the bartender has our drinks. I somehow manage to grab all four and speed walk back to the table without spilling anything.

The blood is whooshing in my ears, and it’s definitely too fucking crowded in here. I need to get some air. Smoke. Do something other than be in this bar withhim.

---