Page 58 of Cougar

“Good luck,” I say. He shoots me a wink and jerks his chin to Lisa before leaving.

“He’s such a hottie,” Lisa says. “I didn’t realize you guys were close. Considering your fallout with Liz and all that.”

“It’s not his fault his sister’s a bitch. Our families are still close, and we were neighbors for years.”

My phone vibrates on the table. I lift it to see a text from Jay.

Jay: Heading home.

“Well that was fast,” I murmur.

“What?” Bass asks.

Me: Come to Mac’s and hang out with us.Alex and Dylan are playing tonight.

Jay: On my way. Will u order me a burger and fries? Pls.

Me: Got it.

“Jay’s coming. She wants a burger and fries.”

A look of concern crosses Bass’s features as he flips open his menu and begins to scan it. I spot Harper at one of the nearby tables and wave to get her attention. Harper makes her way over to our table with a friendly smile. “Hey, Emerson,” she greets. “You want another glass of wine?”

“Yes, please, and….” I gesture to Bass.

“Two Mac’s Specials, medium, with fries,” he adds before passing her the menu.

Harper’s eyes widen and I laugh. “One of those is for Jay,” I tell her.

She snorts a soft laugh. “Oh, okay.”

“And I’ll have a margarita on the rocks,” Lisa chimes in.

Harper nods. “It’ll be a few minutes on the food, but I’ll have Will bring your drinks right over.”

Just as Harper returns to the table with our food, Jay walks in with a tall, good-looking boy trailing behind her.

“Harper, do you know who that boy is?” I jerk my chin. Bass turns in his seat and Harper looks over her shoulder just as the boy throws his arm over Jay’s shoulders, pulling her into a side hug. He dips his head to her ear and Jay smiles.

“That’s Grayson Martinez,” she tells me.

Jay scans the packed room, seeking us out. I raise my hand to get her attention, but Dylan gets to her first and points her in the direction of our table.

“Martinez?” My gaze flicks to Bass, but his attention is laser focused on the boy jogging up the stairs to the game room on the second floor.

“Grayson graduated last year, but his brother, Evan, is in our class.”

“Hi, Harper,” Jay chirps as she takes the empty seat Cam just vacated.

“Hey, Jay,” Harper replies. “I brought you a bottled water. You want anything else?”

“No thanks, I’m good.” She picks up a couple of fries and shoves them in her mouth.

“All right, I gotta get back to work. I’ll see you later, Jay.”

“Thanks, Harper,” I say.

Jay covers her mouth with her hand and mumbles a “See you later” before Harper drifts over to the next table.

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