Page 25 of Because of You
“Yeah, it would,” says Molly with a cunning smile that tells me she is also appreciating the exceedingly rare reminder that our very perfect Jules still lives among us common folks.
“That’s reason enough to catch a game this season. I bet Jeremy can get us tickets,” says Emma.
“I just bet he could. Maybe you should ask him,” I say to Emma with a sly smile, refraining from reminding her that Parker, Inc. owns fifteen seats at every game and we can literally always use those tickets if we want to.
She immediately looks away. I will make her admit she has a thing for Jeremy or die trying.
“Anyway, time for mayhem, girls,” I say, linking arms with Emma, who needs an extra shot of courage to get through the doors every year. “Let’s get in there.”
Chapter Seventeen
Ben
“So have you decided yet?”
Jordan’s fiancée Allie elbows me in the side. I am standing around a high-top table with Allie and Jordan during the cocktail hour of Jeremy’s gala. The room teems with athletes, press, and the most wealthy and well-known of the sports world, but Allie only seems interested in nagging me about whether Jeremy and I have decided on the Stonegate offer.
I throw Jordan a glare. “You promised you wouldn’t tell her.”
“I’m sorry! You should have known better—I can’t keep anything from her. She knew I had a secret as soon as I walked in the door the night you told me. I don’t know how she does it. It’s some witchy shit.”
“Fucking right it is,” says Allie. “I know everything there is to know about everything and none of you should forget it.”
“See? She’s spooky man. I don’t know what to tell you.”
“It’s fine.” I sigh. “Jeremy doesn’t care either way. It’s my choice, and I haven’t decided yet. We still have some time, and honestly, I’m just not sure.”
“What’s not to be sure about? It’s an amazing opportunity, and it will launch Fireside into the stratosphere.”
“I’m not sure I want to be launched into the stratosphere. I always wanted to have a neighborhood bar, somewhere that feels warm and familiar. We figured we would open another couple of locations somewhere, but this is not that. This is a whole other level, and I may not be ready to go there. I like where I am.”
“Look, I know it’s scary to think about stepping outside of your comfort zone, and youarePittsburgh, so I think it would be even harder for you. But this could be huge for you guys. And we’re here to support you—you know that,” says Allie, wrapping an arm around my shoulder.
“What she said,” says Jordan, kissing Allie on the cheek and grabbing a few glasses of champagne off the tray of a passing server that he hands to us.
“I appreciate the support, Al. I’ll let you know when…” I trail off as I see Hallie step into the room. My lungs promptly lose the capacity to breathe air. This is no cotton candy dress. She is wearing a floor-length red dress with tiny straps that dips low in the front and clings to every single curve of her body on the way down. On her feet are gold sandals with tall, thin heels that make her legs look miles long. When she walks, a side slit opens, giving me a glimpse of her toned leg all the way up to mid-thigh. Her hair falls down her back in soft brown waves, and her green eyes are smokey and mysterious looking. She is all woman and hot as fuck, and all the blood in my body rushes south so fast I get dizzy.
“When, what?” asks Allie.
“Huh?” I breathe, still not able to peel my eyes away from Hallie.
“Oh. My. God.” says Allie in a low voice.
That breaks my spell. I whip around to find her staring at me and Jordan staring at her.
“Hallie,” she declares and points at me. Jordan puts his head in his hands and groans.
“Hallie, what?” I ask her, trying to seem nonchalant even while the back of my neck starts to sweat.
“You. Hallie. You like her. You were looking at her just now like you wanted to devour her. It’s the way Jordan looks at me, but it’s the way you look at absolutely no one.”
I stare accusingly at Jordan.
Jordan throws both of his hands up and takes a step back. “I didn’t tell her! I swear!”
“You knew?” screeches Allie, staring at Jordan like she might punch him.
“Not really, I swear! Well, kind of. I sort of knew. A little. But no details. Seriously. I never actually knew if it was even true. And I never saw him look at her likethat.”
