Page 179 of The Long Way Home

Parks looks over at her with her mouth open, a little amused, maybe a bit embarrassed.

“With me,” Julian answers for her. He bites down on the inside of his cheek. “I’d tell you to come join us, Taurs, but it sounds like you’ve got a lot going on already.”

Magnolia smacks him and frowns.

“Say you’re sorry.”

He rolls his eyes and then something happens that fucks with my head: Julian Haites presses his lips together and says it.

“I’m joking, Taurs. I’m sorry.”

Taura and Jonah sit back in their chairs, can’t believe it.

“Holy shit—” Taura stares at Parks. “How good in bed are you?”

Julian squashes a smile as Parks uses his hand to cover her face as though she’s embarrassed, as though she’s not fucking living for this.

I run my tongue over my teeth and she catches it.

“Hey Beej.” She gives me her best fake-warm smile. “How’s that weather today?”

Jordan glances at me, a bit confused, and raises her eyebrows waiting for my answer.

“Yeah, it’s a fine day—” I scratch my arm, shrug indifferent. “What about you? Fine over in Mayfair?”

“I’ve not been in Mayfair for nearly a week, but it’s rather pleasant in Knightsbridge.” She scratches her neck to flash me a hickey. “Hot,” she tacks on at the end, eyes ready to fight.

I swallow, act like she didn’t just put a knife in my stomach.

“Is that Knightsbridge?” Jordan asks. “Where we were for New Year’s?”

“Yes.” Magnolia nods.

“Oh, I like that.” Jordan turns and looks at me. “We could look for a place in Knightsbridge.”

Magnolia’s face falters, blinks a bunch of times.

“You’re moving from Park Lane?” She looks at me. “Together?”

I let it hang there. Watch her squirm. Half conceal a smirk but not all the way. I want Parks to see it, to see what I can still do to her. I look down at the sleeve of my jacket. I fucking miss shopping with her. Dressing yourself isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

“No.” Jordan laughs, shaking her head. “Me and my housemate.”

Parks swallows. “Oh.”

Her eyes drop; she looks embarrassed.

I keep staring over at her, happy to have made her feel like shit for a second.

Julian’s phone rings. He looks at it, looks at Parks.

“Be right back—”

He excuses himself, darting out of the restaurant quickly as the waiter brings over our drinks. Parks takes an extra long sip of hers.

Jonah watches her, bit of a frown on his face, and then picks it up and takes a swig of her juice.

“Phwoar—” Jo pulls his head back. “You want some juice with that vodka?”

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