Page 445 of Now and Forever

I know he is referring more to my answer to his question about taking our relationship to another level, than actually coming over. It’s been a year since I’ve been in a relationship and Jared fits the bill for the kind of guy that I usually go for. I did want to make things work with him before I left for Greece . . . before Drake and I happened.

I know Drake and I won’t last. The past is just too much of a cloud to make things easy for us. Besides, he just broke up with Shannon. Drake isn’t the forever after type; he may want me now, but that will wear off. Men like Drake always want variety. So, that leaves me with one option and that is to stop this thing with Drake before I decide things with Jared.

I’ve been seeing Jared for ten weeks now, on and off with casual dates here and there. I like Jared. “How about tomorrow night? You get to pick.”

“That’s my girl. I’ll pick you up around seven?”

I smile. Yeah, I’m making the right decision. “Seven it is. See you!” I hang up the phone and stride toward our table.

Silently, I sit across from Drake. Each movement is being studied and analyzed. I take a lengthy sip of my water.

“Was that Jared?” Drake shoots the question directly.

I bite the inside of my cheek before I nod my head. Why is he so nosy, anyway?

“What did he want?” he presses on.

“We spoke for a bit. This and that.” Vague? Yeah, very much so.

Drake glares at me. “This and that? Did you tell him that you’re with me now? That you’re not an available woman?” he asks through gritted teeth.

That certainly amps up my temper. “I am nobody’s woman. Yet.”

His nostrils flare as his jaws lock together. “You better watch it, Lil. I don’t want to make a scene to prove a point.”

I’m sure.

The waiter brings our food. I’ve already lost my appetite, so I barely pick at my food. Drake doesn’t seem too keen on his, either. Cussing, he pushes his plate aside, gets up and places twice the amount of our bill on the table.

“Outside, Lil. We need to talk. NOW,” Drake bites out before he leaves the restaurant, his face is dark with anger.

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