Page 37 of A Taste of Trouble

Briget was in the middle of a nasty divorce. Her jackass ex-husband was fighting for full custody of their son, Nathan. She was a mess.

“She's having some trouble. Jerk-off didn't bring Nathan home. I had to drive out to London the other night.”

“Is she all right?” Brian asked. Concern fell over all of their faces.

“Not really, but she will be.” He hated the predicament Briget was in, and if he were a violent man, her ex-husband would be feeling the effects of his fist. But that would only make things worse for his sister. Instead, he offered his ear, and his time, whenever she needed it.

“So that's why you've been acting weird?” Miles asked, the tone of his voice indicating he didn't quite believe that was the reason.

And he was exactly right.

“I…” How did he tell them? Where did he start? Jake took a sip of his beer for extra courage. “I've been keeping something from you guys.”

Tony's face hardened. “Really?”

He knew Tony wouldn't like the fact that Jake had lied. Tony was the most honest person he knew. His parents had screwed him over big when he was a child, and when he finally wised up, it had solidified Tony's belief in honesty. Even if it hurt the people he loved. And Tony expected no less from his friends.

Jake had never lied about the women he dated. He just didn't know how he felt about Liv and wasn't prepared to answer questions, let alone subject her to off-color comments from his friends.

“I'm sorry, dude. I just…” Jake took another sip from his bottle of beer. “She's been a little tough to shake.”

“She?” Tony leaned in closer, lowering his voice. “So, you're dating someone?”

“Tough to shake?” Miles asked. “She's, like, stalking you?”

“No, nothing like that.” Although it could be said that he was stalking her, but there was no need to get into the pesky details. “I've seen her a few times now.”

“You're dating?” Tony questioned. “As in dating?” His eyebrows raised in surprise. “As in dinner and movies and talking?” He wasn't surprised his friend found it so hard to believe. Jake wasn't one for getting in too deep into relationships.

“Not exactly. We're supposed to go on a date, but…she's gotten under my skin.” He looked around before he finished his thought. “The worst part is that she's a mission. Shelton is going to give me the Vice President spot if I can get this girl to meet up with him.”

“The VP spot?” Brian finally spoke up. “A worthwhile mission.” If anyone understood the need to find success in your occupation, it would be Brian. “Why does he want to meet her?”

Despite the tactics being a little shady, Shelton had given a valid reason. It also wasn't in his best interest to argue with the man who could give him exactly what he needed. “He wants her as a client, and she's already rejected an offer.” He took another drink then rubbed his hand over his face.

“But…” Tony hung on to the word as if waiting for Jake to finish the sentence for him. He just didn't know if he could admit it. “She's become more than a mission?”

Jake nodded, unable to say the one word that took over his brain: yes. It was more than her good looks and smokin' hot body that grabbed him. Despite their attempts to keep things purely

casual, she was different. Special.

“Christ, Jake. You've got a soap opera going on in your life.” Miles sat back and crossed his arms over his chest.

“It feels like it.” Jake turned and faced straight ahead, unable to look his friends in the eye. “There's something else.” If he was being honest, he might as well be completely honest. “The girl is Liv.” Recognition hadn't registered in their faces. “Liv? The bartender from here.”

“Holy shit,” Miles muttered.

“How was she?” Tony asked, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

Jake had to get the conversation back on track. “Will you focus?”

Tony raised his hands in defense.

He should have known his friends—namely Tony—would want the sex details first. But surprisingly, he didn't have any details to share. “And we haven't…we didn't…I'm asking for advice.”

“The great Jake Miller asking us for advice…” Tony smirked. “The teacher becomes the student.”

He didn't have to say anymore. They stared at him, eyes wide, mouths open. If they had been mid-sip, their beer would have leaked out of the sides of their mouths onto the floor.

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