Page 190 of Those Who Are Bound

Elliott

Elliottwasgoingtofire him.

Wrenching back in her chair, she was shocked that she was inches—seconds—away from kissing Jonah. She looked to the other party at the table, wondering where their objections were at the near-display of PDA. They weren’t there. Mom, Dad, kid, and the woman were gone. The others had left or were in the process of leaving, too.

It’d been a short conversation, hadn’t it? Or had she and Jonah gotten lost eye-fucking one another? An activity, by the way, she should not be participating in; having thrown her girlfriend card back in his face and shown him the door.

Killion scooted his chair back. “I’m starving. That was not food for a virile man, let’s just say.”

Lucy slapped his arm. “Their restaurant is delightful.”

“Good, let them delight others. I want pizza. Lucy’s buying. Jonah, you in?”

Lucy answered, “You never have to ask Jonah twice when it comes to pizza.”

“I’m in,” Jonah confirmed, his glowing regard still focused on Elliott.

“Awesome. C’mon, boss.” Her chair was jerked backward.

“Killion!” she protested. But it at least broke the intense connection between her and Jonah, so she was a little grateful for it. She was still firing him, though… next week, maybe. After the wedding. And the cleanup.

As Jonah stood, Lucy came up to him and wrapped her arms around him. “A real hug! I missed you!”

Jonah kissed the top of her head before tucking her under his arm. It was an easy embrace for friends as they headed toward the stairs. Elliott watched them go, the sensation of being replaced chilling her as she observed them in conversation.

That washerspot, tucked under his arm, snuggled up against him. If things had been different, that’s where she would be right now, pressed against his long, strong body, his arm wrapped around her. A rush of resentment for Lucy swept through her before she realized that this was how it was supposed to be: this was her own design.

Killion knocked her with his shoulder, breaking up her thoughts. “You look jealous.”

“I do not.”

“Mm-hmm. C’mon, I might not pump your ’nads like he does, but I got you.” He threw his arm over her shoulder, and they followed Jonah and Lucy up the stairs.

The pizza was good; the conversation was light. Jonah talked about his trip, the climbing, the weather, not going too deep with it. Lucy told him about the wedding that upcoming weekend between their friends. They all leaned in at one point so Killion could send a picture to his mother.

Afterward, on the sidewalk outside, Lucy grabbed Killion’s arm. “Run over to that fancy hardware store with me real quick before they close. I want to look at some of their outdoor lanterns.”

“You’ll pay a fortune,” Killion said in barely disguised horror. But he let her tug at him anyway. He asked Jonah and Elliott as he exaggerated being dragged away, “You two good? I have to go watch Lucy drop a bag for a lamp. Thanks again for coming tonight!”

“Stop being so dramatic.” Lucy turned and pointed at Jonah. “You and me. Coffee tomorrow morning.”

Jonah nodded. “I’ll see you there. Good night.”

Killion’s parting shot was, “Tell him about the nightmares.”

Definitely fired.

A warm flush worked over her that had nothing to do with the evening heat or the low simmer that being around Jonah kept her on. No, it was a mixture of mortification and flash fury.

“Nightmares?” Jonah looked from their retreating backs to her, concerned.

She jerked her chin up defensively. “It’s nothing.”

Reaching out, he grasped her elbow, giving her a patronizing look. He steered them in the direction of the parking garage near the church.

“It isn’t nothing if Killion was compelled to mention it. How does he know you’re having nightmares?”

Elliott looked into the darkened shop windows as they passed. Their images were mirrored back to her against the panes, but her focus was drawn to him. It was how she could stare at him without being obvious. “It isn’t anything you need to bother yourself with. You don’t need to abide by the boyfriend contract anymore.” She’d meant for it to be funny, but his image in the glass grimaced.

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