Page 36 of Whiskey Promises
"It was his idea."
I whip my head toward her, gaping at her in shock. "What?"
"It was his idea."
"I heard you the first time," I mutter, turning a dark look in Jareth's direction. He's chatting with my mom and dad now. My mom is laughing while Dad looks amused. And Jareth? He's still staring at me, as if taunting me to come and stop him.
I cannot believe moving the wedding here was his idea. Actually, scratch that. Icanbelieve it. The man is determined to…what? I'm not sure exactly. Ruin me? Possess me? Make me homicidal? I think all three might be true.
"He's driving me nuts."
"Because you like him."
I don't deny it. Instead, my shoulders bounce in a shrug. "Doesn't matter."
"Why not?" Nadia asks and then narrows her eyes at me. "And don't give me any crap about being in love with Connor because no one except Dad is buying that."
I smile despite myself, glancing over at my dad. "He said something about me and Connor?"
"He's been complaining nonstop about you and Connor," Nadia says with a little laugh. "Did Connor not tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"Dad made him go for a walk with him yesterday."
"He didn't," I groan.
"Oh, he did." Nadia's smile is savage. "Teo says he was asking Connor about his intentions before they even made it two steps."
"Oh my god." I tip my head back, staring up at the cloudless sky. "Our father is a crazy person."
Poor Connor. I owe him big time for this.
"Well…yeah." Laughter spills from Nadia's lips. "But you did it to yourself, baby sister. You're the one who decided to bring him with you."
"I panicked," I mutter.
"Because of Jareth."
It's not really a question, but I nod anyway, stealing another glance at the man in question. He's still laughing with my parents like they're old friends. I guess in a way, they are. He's been playing guitar in Nadia's band for a while.
He looks in my direction again, and our eyes meet. Like usual, I get sucked into his vortex. His expression heats, his eyes softening. He doesn't even hide that he's staring at me. He doesn't try to hide his dirty thoughts, either. They're written all over his face for everyone to see.
I narrow my eyes on him, trying to pretend I'm annoyed. The reality is a lot more complicated than that. I love the way he looks at me. I love that he doesn't care who sees it. I'm playing with fire, desperately trying to brand him onto my skin and keep from getting burned at the same time.
Why is life so fucking complicated?
I'm falling in love with Jareth Grayson. I think I was falling before I even left Los Angeles. And I still don't know what to do about it.
Let yourself fall, a little voice whispers.You know it's what you want.
I shiver, wrapping my arms around myself as I tear my gaze away from Jareth.
"He looks at you the same way Teo looks at me," Nadia says softly.
"He shouldn't be looking at me at all," I force myself to say. "I'm with Connor."
"Is that why you and Jareth were sneaking around in the middle of the night last night?"
