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“What?”

“What usual?”

My brow furrows.

“The whole time we were together, you were with me, or you were working.”

“No.” I do things. I did things.

“Yeah.” She nods. “Maybe not working at Oddball. But you were always making dinner for Ariel, or helping Holden with his homework, or cleaning up your dad’s place.”

“Holden never did his homework.”

Her expression softens. “You know what I mean.” She takes another sip. “I always thought you’d be a good dad.”

What the fuck? I stare into her eyes, trying to figure out what she means, but I don’t get there.

“You, uh… sorry. I think I’m a little drunk.” Her laugh is messy. “Diego and I talk about it. We’re not trying yet. But in a few years.”

“Congratulations.”

“Do you still want that?”

“Yeah.”

Her eyes go to Skye. “Does she?”

“I don’t think that’s any of your business.” Yeah, Skye and I sometimes discuss our future. She’s pretty sure she wants a family, but not a hundred percent. She’d be a good mom. Open, loving, just tough enough to keep kids in line.

“Sure, yeah…” She takes another sip. “You… You know… it’s funny. You look at her the way I always wanted you to look at me?”

“I look at her like I love her.”

“Yeah. Right. And you do make a lovely couple. Such a contrast, you know? Her being so soft. You being so hard.”

I’m not letting her make it an insult. “Skye’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

Jealousy streaks Mack’s expression. She must be drunk because she’s doing nothing to hide it. “Yeah.” She forces a smile. “I’m just… I’m so glad you’re happy. I didn’t think you’d have that. I didn’t think you’d move on.”

“Thanks.” I’m not sure there’s any actual well-wishing in there, but I’m not giving her the satisfaction of taking offense.

“And, well… I get that we had a rough landing. I don’t expect you to like me. Or love me. Or forgive me even. But I hope you can. I hope we can all be friends again.”

“Yeah.”

“I… uh… I guess someone should go talk to them, huh?”

“Why?”

Her eyes meet mine. It’s all there, in her hazel eyes. Because of how we ended. Because I don’t trust him. How could you?

Or maybe I’m projecting.

How can she trust him? How can he trust her?

How can anyone trust anyone else?

How can you give someone your heart? Show them exactly where they can press to hurt you the most?

“I just…” She pushes herself up. “I really am happy for you, Forest.”

“Thanks.”

“I don’t know if you want to be here for this or not, but if you do… it would be really nice. I want you and Skye here. If you can handle being here.”

“Yeah.”

“I, uh…” She takes a step backward. Trips on her heels. (They are red). Catches herself. “Excuse me.”

“Wait.”

She freezes, deer in headlights.

I stand. Move around the table. Offer her my arm. “I’ll take you home.”

“I’m fine.”

My brow knits. She’s not fine. She’s drunk. Very drunk. But she’s right. I’m not her keeper. And, honestly, I don’t want to be her keeper. Not anymore. “Make sure you call a cab.” I nod goodbye. Cross the room to the bar.

Skye is still laughing.

Diego is still looking at her like she’s the funniest person he’s ever met.

She probably is. She’s certainly the funniest person I know.

“Hey.” She looks up at me with a hazy smile. “I think…” She holds up her glass. “I think I’ve had a few too many.”

“Want me to take you home?” I ask.

“Yeah…” She swallows her last sip. Sets her glass on the bar. Shoots Diego a smile. “Thanks for the drink.”

“My pleasure.” He takes her hand. Leans in. Presses his lips to her cheek.

She turns bright red. “You… uh… Good night.”

He nods good night. Turns to me. “I guess I should take my girl home too.”

“Yeah.” I swallow my hatred. “Take care.”

He offers me an apologetic smile.

I ignore it. Help Skye out of her chair. Lead her to her parent’s table, wish them goodbye, whisk her to my car.

She looks up at me with fuzzy eyes. “Are you okay?” Her fingers curl around my wrist. “What can I do?”

Fuck me. Distract me. Convince me I’m capable of loving someone else. Convince me you don’t want Diego. That you really do want me. “Don’t fight me about driving you home.”

She shakes her head. “Not with them there.”

“You can go to my place, but you’re going straight to bed.”

“To your bed?” Her wink is heady. Like she’s demanding I fuck her in my bed.

But that’s just Skye getting caught up in her ruse.

She’s a great actor, even if she doesn’t realize it.

Chapter Fifteen

Skye

“Drink.” Forest pushes a glass of water into my hand.

I shoot him a really look as I take it. “Do I need to hydrate after a few glasses of wine?”

“A few?”

“Judgy much.” I am thirsty. So thirsty. My mouth is bone dry. My throat too. But I need to make him sweat it.


Tags: Crystal Kaswell Romance