Page 72 of Third Chances (Men of Manhattan 2)

"No. You're the guy who's made billions with technological innovations, James. You're a marketing genius. Everyone loves you. Why are you beating yourself up about this?"

"I just don't feel good tonight." He ran the back of his hand across his forehead.

I hadn't realized how sweaty he was.

"I need to talk to her. I just want to make sure she's okay."

"Penny's okay. Mason talked to her a few hours ago. She's fine."

He nodded. "But why won't you let me talk to her?"

"You just can't tonight, okay? You can talk to her in the morning."

He wiped the sweat off his forehead again. "Please?" His hands shook slightly as he lifted up the glass of water.

Jesus Christ. I looked over at Matt. How much shit did he give him? "Not tonight, James. You can't talk to her when you're high."

"I told you I didn't take anything. I wouldn't take anything. I have something to lose now."

"I know. Someone slipped you something." I didn't want to throw Matt under the bus.

"I knew it." James suddenly seemed full of energy. "She drugged me." He pointed to Kristen.

Kristen laughed awkwardly and looked around the table. "No?"

James laughed. "Oh my God, she drugged me."

"I really didn't."

"I'm not going to sleep with you, Kristen Dwyer. You can give me all the drugs in the world. I will. Never. Cheat. On. Penny."

"I didn't drug you," Kristen said defensively.

"Liar!" he shouted and stood up.

"Whoa, buddy, okay," I said as I grabbed his shoulder. "Um..." I looked over at Daphne and silently cursed. There goes my night. "How about you and I go back to the room?"

James frowned. "I'm really hungry."

"Yeah, I know, me too. Mason, can you tell them to send our food up to our room?"

"Of course. Is he okay?" He glanced at James and then at Kristen.

"He'll be fine. You can talk to your brother about that one."

"What the fuck did you do, Matt?" Mason said.

"I didn't think..."

"She drugged me, right?" James asked, cutting Matt off.

"No, she didn't." I put my arm on his back. "Let's head up, okay?"

"Who drugged me?" He put his arm around my shoulders. He was bigger than me, but I could easily support his weight.

"Don't worry about it." I looked down at Daphne. Concerned was etched across her face. She didn't know James. But she seemed to care so deeply. Who was this girl? "I'm so sorry, Daphne."

"Do you want my help? I can come with you."

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