Page 102 of Fairy Tale Lies
And Cindy had promised Greta would be there tonight.
I owe the woman. Big time.
Jacob scanned the crowd, spotting Greta by the bar with some strait-laced guy. His hand was resting on the small of her back. The urge to rip the man’s arm off was fierce.
Cindy hadn’t mentioned Greta was coming here with a date. Jacob couldn’t help noticing the guy was her perfect match, dressed in pressed khakis and a polo shirt. He glanced at his worn jeans and faded gray shirt. He hadn’t even bothered to tuck it in, leaving the top two buttons open and rolling the sleeves, exposing the ink on his arm and collar. Bluntly stated, he was the polar opposite of the other man.
Doesn’t matter.
The other guy might look like Greta’s match. However, even from across the room Jacob could tell there was no spark in her eyes. She wasn’t attracted to him.
Thank God.
The two might appear picture-perfect, but she was Jacob’s heart and soul. The tricky part would be convincing her of this.
Lucky for him, he had nothing to lose and everything to gain. And he was willing to do whatever it took to win her back.
~ * ~
Greta clenched her hands together, trying to hide the tremors. She peered past Thomas and saw Jacob snaking through the throngs of people, his gaze boring into her.
His steely stare and determined stride told her he was ready for a confrontation. Trepidation shivered down her spine.
She understoodwhatwas happening just not thewhy. What could he possibly have to say after all this time? And why bother? He’d moved on. What did he care if she did the same?
Stopping in front of her and ignoring Thomas, Jacob said, “I need to talk to you.”
Not a question, a demand. It annoyed her. He’d broken her heart and now wanted to order her around. No. She was done letting her weak heart dictate her life.
“Why? I have nothing to say to you.” Her voice was calm and steady. Her heart pounded loud enough to compete with the music’s drums.
“Then I’ll talk.”
“I’m busy right now.” Greta stared pointedly over her shoulder at Thomas, who appeared mildly alarmed.
Jacob’s face flushed, and a vein throbbed in his neck. He was furious.
Not her problem.
He swallowed, keeping his laser gaze on her. “Five minutes. Please, don’t make me beg.”
She stared at him, stunned. Jacob didn’t beg. For anything. Fight and shout, yes, but not beg.
Forgetting that she’d refused to talk with him, or that she was sitting with Thomas, Greta scooted off her bar stool.
“Listen, buddy, she already told you, she isn’t interested in talking to you.” Thomas sounded annoyed and anxious.
Greta understood. Jacob only had a couple of inches on the other man, but way more muscle and a definite don’t mess-with-me aura. Thomas probably didn’t revel in the chance of getting beat up for a woman he just met. She appreciated his chivalry.
Twisting around, she rested a hand on his. Jacob tensed at the gesture. Too bad, if he didn’t like it. He was lucky for the five minutes she was going to give him. “I’m sorry Thomas. I should speak with him.”
“Are you sure?” He glanced at Jacob.
“Yes. He’d never hurt me. At least not physically.” She walked past Jacob, holding her head high. “Come on. Let’s talk outside.”
She shouldered through the crowd. The bouncer at the main door opened it as she approached, and Greta stormed through, not bothering to check if Jacob was following. She held tight to her resentment, afraid to meet his eyes. If she did, her anger might dissolve and turn into pitiful hope.
“What? What do you want?” The door clicked shut, abruptly cutting off the music, and her voice echoed down the mostly empty street.
