Page 15 of Insatiable Hunger

“Hi, dear. How are you?”

“I’m okay.” Running a hand over my face, I grab the menu in front of me, eyes perusing over it. “How are you?”

“Great,” she replies cheerfully. “Where were you last night? Zeke mentioned you didn’t come home.”

Snapping my gaze to hers, I school my features to keep from rolling my eyes.Of course, he noticed I didn’t come home.“I stayed at Katie’s.”

“That sounds like fun. How is Katie? I haven’t seen her in a few weeks.”

“She’s good. Been busy with her photography.”

“How’s work going?”

Her question sets my nervous system on high alert. “What?”

“With Zeke, as his social media whatever.” Her hand twirls in front of her at her inability to find the right word. “You’ve started already, yes?”

“Oh, uh…” This lie would be a whole hell of a lot easier if Zeke and I were on speaking terms. Actually, it would be much easier if he bothered to loop me in on this at all before he opened his big fucking mouth. I have no idea what he’s told her. “Yeah, I started Monday. It’s been, uh, okay.”

“That’s wonderful, honey. I’m so happy to see you two working together.”

Again, it’s a real effort to not roll my eyes or scoff.

“How are your friends from college?” she asks, taking a sip from her mimosa. “Have you spoken to them since being back?”

“Yeah, we’ve talked a few times. One of them lives in Atlanta now, and we talked about him possibly coming down here for the fourth.”

“Well, that would be fun. There’s plenty of room for them at the house too.”

I nod, not really feeling like partaking in this conversation. I feel bad. It’s not her fault I’m in such a bad mood.

Her eyes soften as she watches me. “What’s going on with you today?”

“Nothing. I’m sorry.” Feeling like I need to give her some sort of an excuse, I add, “I just don’t feel well.”

The server comes—a kid who looks like he can’t be over the age of sixteen—and takes our order. By the time I leave, I’m thankful I set up that date with Jay tonight. Lord knows it’ll help keep my mind off shit I shouldn’t be thinking about.

Chapter Nine

Elias Carnell

Jay: Hey. I’m pulling up out front.

Me: Okay, I’m coming down.

Grabbing my keys and my wallet, I pocket them along with my phone before jogging down the stairs. I’m cutting it dangerously close to the time Zeke gets home from work, and while pissing him off is fun most of the time, I’m not in the mood for it today and don’t feel like having him give me shit for going out again. So, leaving quickly before he arrives is the smartest move.

Jay’s lime green car is impossible to miss, as is his bright white smile I can barely see through his semi-tinted windows. He really is so fucking cute. Opening the passenger door, the sensual beat ofIntuitionby GESS and the fresh, tropical scent of his car freshener hit me as I slide into the seat.

“Hey,” I say with a small smirk. “Thanks for picking me up.”

It’s clear he just came from the office. He’s got on navy-blue slacks and a white button-down with the sleeves rolled up his tan, strong forearms. “My pleasure,” he purrs. “You hungry?”

Gaze dipping down to his flirty grin as I buckle my seatbelt, I reply, “Starving.”

He takes us to a fancy new steakhouse in town. The parking lot is packed, and the inside is bustling with waitstaff and guests all around. Up at the hostess stand, he says to them, “Reservation for two under Jordan, please.”

He made reservations.Why does that make my insides do a flip-flop?

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