Page 18 of Worth the Risk

He doesn’t ask any further questions, and I’m glad. The last thing I want is to get into it about Beth or James.

The conversation in our group flows easily, although Amber is quiet. She probably thinks I don’t notice her glancing between Leo and me.Does she like him? Have they been together?

Stop it.I will not overthink and overanalyze things.

As we enjoy our drinks, I learn Leo and Nash met while attending New York University and have been friends ever since. Nash will be permanently living in Philly in a couple of weeks, where he was offered a job that allows him to be closer to his family.

While everyone is talking, Leo takes the opportunity to rub and caress my knee. He keeps it PG this time, though. Eventually, he links our fingers together and lays our connected hands on his lap.

Leo and Nash also tell us stories from their college days. Leo is animated and funny while sharing some of their wilder shenanigans I’m sure could have had them arrested as they were most likely illegal.

“So, wait—” I interrupt, “You streaked naked through campus on some childish dare?”

“Kylie, when a dare is thrown a man’s way, he accepts it.” Leo laughs. “Besides, I was more than a little drunk that night, so it didn’t occur to me to back down. I’m damn lucky I didn’t lose my dick. It was twenty degrees outside, and I thought for sure it would freeze and break off.”

Thank goodness that didn’t happen. I felt his erection. It would have been a sin.

Focus, Kylie.

We’re laughing when I notice someone has stopped by our table. It’s James, and he has a fading bruise on his left cheek.Oh, this night just keeps getting better.I swear I can’t get away from him or Beth.

“May I please talk to you for a moment, Kylie?” he asks.

Leo tenses.

“That is not a good idea, James,” I reply. It’s over, and he needs to let it go. There’s nothing more to say.

“I think I deserve to at least talk to you,” he says as his eyes dart between Leo and me.

“If it’s a conversation you want, go find Beth. She’s here, you know. She was in the bathroom last I saw her. I’m sure she’ll chat with you all you want.”

He ignores my comment and stares at Leo with an angry expression on his face. The atmosphere quickly becomes tense.I don’t want another fight to break out between these two.

Leo picks that precise moment to unlock our hands, put his arm around my shoulder, and smirk at James.

James doesn’t miss it, and he glowers.

“Listen to the lady. I suggest you move along… unless you want another beat down,” Leo threatens.

“Wow, looks like you moved on quickly. Guess I never really knew you.” James sneers at me.

“We haven’t been together in over five months. Let it go. I have,” I say, still hearing Beth’s words in my head.I might be taking it out on him.

He stands frozen for a moment, hurt and anger emanating from him before he storms off.

For a few moments, our table is silent, no one quite knowing what to say.

Awkward.

Amber flees the unease by going to the bathroom.

Leo breaks the silence. “What did you ever see in that guy? I’m not sure if you are aware of this, but you’re out of his league.”

I shrug, unsure how to answer that, but I issue Leo a smile of thanks.

“Damn straight she is,” Sierra chimes in.

We laugh and drink cheerfully until Amber joins us again. There must have been a long line to the bathroom because several songs have come and gone since she left.

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