Page 22 of The Mark (The Players 2)

My heart beat erratically in my chest. He was upset over me. Suddenly, I found myself struggling to hide a smile. “You’re ridiculous. Let’s go eat. We can talk over lunch.” Then I towed him behind me, but when I glanced over my shoulder, he didn’t look nearly as unhappy as he did when hearrived.

At the table the guys sat on one side of the booth, while the women sat on the other. I was on the inside, opposite Harry. He still seemed bothered so I reached out with my foot until I found his legs, then I hooked my ankle around one of his calves. He jumped at first as ifstartled.

Mr. George noticed. “You okay, Harry?” His brows quirked inconfusion.

Harry’s cheeks turned this adorable shade of pink. “Absolutely, I just rememberedsomething.”

“Was it that you like Laney touching you?” Kate snickered as she glanced under thetable.

For once, I didn’t correct her, but I did look away, unable to meet her eyes. Despite my embarrassment, I didn’t move my foot. Touching him felt right. I found it to be incredibly comforting and, obviously, he did too. Soon he was squeezing my ankle between his legs. For once, I wanted to take a really longlunch.

“What looks good to you, Laney?” Harry stared across the tableatme.

“Hm. I’m torn. I feel like I should have a salad. The southwestern chicken one looks good.” Isighed.

He rolled his eyes. “Let me guess. All the carbs last night weighing down on you like the guilty pleasure they were?” He chuckled at his owncleverness.

“Maybe. Force of habit.” I turned my attention back tothemenu.

“Force of habit?” He sounded confused and I was too shy toexplain.

“She was a dancer,” Kateexplained.

I whipped around to look at her, wondering what made her say such athing.

Instantly, she shrank down in the booth. “I mean, you have a dancer’s body.” Her eyes widened and she suddenly focused on her menu. “I was thinkingsteak.”

“For lunch?” Harryquestioned.

“I could use the iron,” she murmured as she studied the entrees. “Life is kicking my assthesedays.”

“I’ve got you, babe.” Mr. George reached across the table and rested his hand on herforearm.

Seriously, I normally hate PDA, but these two melted me every damn time. I couldn’t think about food. The whole focus of my attention was on how much I wanted that. I wanted to be loved and allow myself to love someone inreturn.

“What else?” Harry interrupted mymusings.

“Excuse me?” I shook my head, hoping to pull myselftogether.

“What was the other food you wanted? You said you were torn.” He smiled indulgentlyatme.

“Oh, the steak fajitas.” Igiggled.

“Perfect.” He turned to the waiter who had suddenly appeared for our order. “She’ll have the southwestern chicken salad. I’ll have the steak fajitas. And could we have two extra plates?” Harry grinned. Then he looked at me and explained. “We’ll share. This way you canhaveboth.”

“I love you,” I blurted out. All eyes were on me and I felt like a prime candidate for spontaneous human combustion. “It’s anexpression.”

“For now,” Kate murmuredknowingly.

“Not helping,” I hissed as I covered my face. There had to be some way for me to change the subject. I removed my hands and studied Harry. He was still there. He hadn’t climbed over Mr. George in a desperate attempt to exit stage right. He wasn’t avoiding my eyes. Instead, he seemed to be lost in thought while wearing a strange expression on his face. And since I’m so lousy with segues, and so good at word vomit, I asked, “Well, misery loves company. Why are youupset?”

11

Harry

The more Iknew about Laney, the more charmed I became. How the hell had someone like her stumbled into my path? What were the chances someone like her would actually be interested in a guy like me? Judging by her face, I had a shot. Her cheeks were pink and though I wanted to postpone the news weighing on me for as long as possible, I wanted to explain what was eating at me even more. Her grip on my calf tightened and the reassurance she provided gave me the confidence I needed to share. “It’s about Drew,” I began, once the waiter had taken Ty’s order for himself and Kate, thendisappeared.

“Is he doing okay? I know he’s still in the hospital.” She frowned. “Does he need to be…institutionalized?”

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