Page 95 of One Touch

I could see myself, years down the road, running into her in town and forcing myself to smile. Seeing some other man’s arm around her shoulders and willing my heart to stop pounding against my ribs and force myself to be happy for her.

Fucking schmuck.

I huffed out an exasperated breath.Great. I’m already jealous of a fictional man.

Fresh memories of Kate flooded my mind—the way her laugh buried itself into my bones, the way her eyes sparkled when she looked at me. I didn’t want to let her go, but I couldn’t ask her to give up her family and life in Michigan to follow me back to Chicago. I had nothing to offer her but late nights waiting up for me in a fancy penthouse when she deserved to blossom in her coastal hometown.

I closed my eyes and tried to calm my racing thoughts. I couldn’t stay in my cold, heartless house on the dune and stew all night. I pulled my phone from my pocket and dialed my best friend.

Duke answered on the third ring. “What’s up?”

“You up for a drink?”

“Out of little sisters to prey on?” Duke’s voice was stern, but laced with the subtle humor I had missed.

“Very funny,” I shot back. “Ms. Bug agreed to help Kate with some after-hours research at the library.”

“The Grudge in thirty?”

“Meet you there.” I slipped the phone back into my pocket and bundled up against the dipping December temperatures.

A beer with Duke would be just the easy, familiar way to pass the time that I needed to dislodge the spike that had wedged between my ribs.

As expected, the Grudge was nearly empty. I scanned the room, looking for Duke. I spotted him at the far end of the bar, accepting two beers from the server. I made my way over and took a seat beside him.

“Hey, man. How’s it going?” Duke asked, turning to face me.

“Fine. Good,” I replied, then took a sip of my drink. “Just needed to get out of the house for a bit.”

Duke nodded. “I hear you. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery.”

We sat in comfortable silence, sipping our drinks and watching the other patrons.

I sat straighter when I spotted Kate across the room, talking to JP King.

My heart skipped a beat as I watched them, trying to discern the nature of their conversation. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, but I saw him make a comment that made Kate’s face contort in disgust as she stood.

Before I could even think, I was on my feet, storming over to them.

“What did you say to her?” I demanded, my fists clenched at my sides.

JP King sneered at me, sizing me up. “Who are you?”

Prick.

He knew damn well who I was, and a hit of jealousy and possessiveness burned through me. “I’m her boyfriend, asshole,” I growled, standing tall and proud.

“The fuck is this?” Duke stood next to me, simmering with anger. “Katie? What are you doing here with him?”

“It’s nothing,” Kate huffed as she corrected the strap of her purse on her shoulder. “I was just leaving.”

JP stood tall, smoothing a hand over his pressed shirt. An air of arrogance and confidence radiated off him. “Think about what I said. That money would pay a lot of bills at Haven Pines.”

Duke took a step forward. “What did you say?”

JP raised his hands. “We were talking business.”

“Any business you have with her, you have with me.” Duke crossed his arms as Kate rolled her eyes at her overprotective older brother.

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