Page 62 of The Dating Ban
I tell myself not to overthink it. But now, every time she so much as shifts, I notice it. The way her thigh just barely presses against mine. The way the water moves around her, sending little ripples against me. The way the fragrance of whatever coconut-scented thing she uses is way too distracting this close.
Across from me, Geoff is still watching with that insufferable grin.
And that’s when it clicks. He’s doing this on purpose. He left the seat next to Ivy free for me because apparently, he is now in the bloody matchmaking business.
I narrow my eyes at him in warning, but he just looks delighted with himself, like he knows exactly what he’s doing.
I had been clear. We are just friends. But of course, Geoff had decided that my words meant absolutely nothing.
Before I can give him another warning look, Jasper, sitting miserably on a patio chair, lets out a loud, exaggerated sigh.
“Enjoying my hot tub without me,” he says dramatically. “Truly, this is betrayal of the highest order.”
“You invited us,” I remind him, stretching my left arm along the edge of the tub.
He scowls. “I take it back. You should all be suffering in solidarity with me.”
Geoff snorts. “I did my suffering at the hospital, thanks. You were very needy for a grown man.”
Jasper levels a glare at him. “I was literally injured.”
“You still made me get you a snack whilst waiting.”
“I hadn’t eaten in hours!” he grumbles. “I was in pain. In fact, I’m hungry again. Someone else should be feeding me.”
I smirk. “What do you want? A bib and a spoon?”
Christa chuckles, while Lucy, still floating between us, giggles. “Uncle Jasper, you should have yogurt,” she declares. “Daddy always says yogurt is good when you don’t feel well.”
“Want me to feed you some yoghurt?” I chuckle.
Jasper curses under his breath, rubbing his face with his good hand trying to hide that he is giving me a very clear one finger salute. “I can feel my dignity evaporating.”
Geoff smirks. “You had dignity?”
Jasper glares. “You’re so lucky my arm is broken.”
“Ignore him,” Geoff says to Christa, “Jasper’s the baby in the family.”
“Should have known he is the third child. They always are attention seekers,” Christa winks. Jasper’s protest is drowned out by mine and Geoff’s laughs; he just sinks lower in his chair pretending to ignore us whilst scrolling on his phone.
“So, Christa, what does a man have to do to woo you?” Geoff wiggles his eyebrows.
“You have to be called Alex and be my fiancé,” she flashes her engagement ring at him with a smug smile, dashing any hopes he may have had. Geoff is a constant flirt, so you never know if he is really interested in a woman or just toying with her.
“Ah, bad timing on my side,” he winks at her.
“Definitely wrong time,” she says dryly.
Geoff grins. “So you’re saying that in another life—”
“Nope.”
“Not even a little curious?”
“Not even a little.”
Jasper and I share a look. Then, in perfect sync, we both turn to Geoff.
