Page 62 of Jake

“Not a problem. We owe you one, so let us know if there’s anything else we can do for you,” Jake told her. “Evan, you have a ride?”

Evan nodded. “I’m calling a car when I leave.”

“Excellent. I hate to rush, but we have some missed time to make up for.” He looked down at Lauren.

She couldn’t hide her blush. He’d practically told them both that they were going to go have sex.

“Have a good night.” Evan waved.

Jake pulled her away from them and back into the lobby. “I want to kiss you right now, but I don’t think I’ll be able to stop once I start.”

“I don’t think I’d let you stop,” she admitted.

“Wait here,” he told her, stepping back into the dining room and pulling his phone out.

He was only gone a minute before he came back with a grin. “We are going to walk. Evan will bring my car home.”

“Walking seems faster,” she agreed.

Lauren laughed as Jake pulled her out of the restaurant and down the sidewalk.

“It’s faster,” Jake confirmed.

Chapter Twenty

“You!” a familiar voice yelled just a few steps away from the restaurant.

Jake gripped her hand solidly as he turned toward Cade’s father. The man was stomping toward him, clearly angry.

He pulled his arm back so Lauren was tucked behind him, sheltered from whatever nonsense was about to happen. She resisted but did finally go, at least mostly, behind him.

“What have you put Cade up to?” he demanded as he caught up to them.

“I have no idea what you mean,” Jake said calmly.

“If it wasn’t you, then it was her.” One fat finger jammed out, pointing behind him at Lauren.

Of course she didn’t stay behind him. She stepped boldly next to Jake and stood tall.

“I also have no idea what you mean.”

“You do. You couldn’t get with Cade so you settled for Jake, huh?”

Jake’s jaw ticked as he attempted to keep his calm demeanor in place. He didn’t want to start a shouting match in the middle of the street with Mr. Hawkins.

“I told him you were a whore,” he said to Lauren. “I told you too.” He faced Jake again.

“Mr. Hawkins, I can assure you that I have nothing to do with whatever is going on between you and Cade and neither does she.” It seemed to come out at least mostly calm, his voice raising a bit on the last.

“You might be telling the truth about you, but I know women like her, always looking to move to the next man willing to foot her bills. Did you know she’s living with my daughter? Just like her mother, a whore looking for her next free ride.” He huffed, out of breath.

“Excuse you,” Lauren started. “I am staying with a friend because she offered, and it has nothing to do with you. I work my ass off for Cade, again nothing to do with you, but I do earn my salary.”

“I’ll be you earn it with my son. Probably earning it with him too.” He pointed at Jake.

As that happened, Jake pulled out his phone and sent a quick text to Evan, telling him to come outside. They weren’t far from the restaurant entrance, so they’d be easy to spot.

“You will cease to say anything else about her or to her,” Jake said through gritted teeth.

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