Jessica shifts next to me, her legs crossing and uncrossing with all her restless energy. I silently beg her not to add anything, and thankfully, she appears content to stay quiet for once.
Ryder’s strong jaw sets in a hard line.
We engage in a staring contest that goes on for a long time before Sophie pulls his arm. “All right, let’s take the testosterone down a few notches.”
We mutually concede to each other with a nod.
I play with my empty bottle and contemplate the exit.
I equally want to get the hell out of here and talk to her. After the last few days, I’m tired enough to be dull-witted, so I have no idea how to make that conversation happen under the watchful eye of my friend group.
I decide it’s time to cut my losses. I stand. “Well, this seems like a family thing, so I’m going to take off.”
And then, because she cannot help herself, she launches off the stool. “Me too.”
I’m going to throttle her. I turn, looking down into her face. She’s so beautiful and infuriating. “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
“What? If you’re going, I’m not going to sit here—” her white-blue eyes flash as she jerks a hand in their direction “—with them all by myself.”
“Have you reconsidered your move?” She’s exasperating. I want to shut her up so badly. “Because I’m not looking forward to your constant chaos.”
She taps the toe of her shoe. “Yeah, right, like I’m going to design my whole life around your feelings.”
I open my mouth to say god only knows what, but I catch Sam watching me from across the bar, wearing a smirk I want to wipe off his face. I clamp my jaw shut.
Now is not the time to engage her.
“Well, I can’t say it’s been a great time, but I am going to be on my way.” I glance down at Jessica and force the word from my throat. “Alone.”
She glares at me like I’m her reprimanding father. “Believe me, this is nothing personal.”
Ryder shakes his head at me. “Why don’t we all head out together?”
Fantastic.
I’m so lucky to have this infuriating woman in my life.
Every. Fucking. Day.
Chapter 7
Jessica
I clutch at the lavender floral quilt where my sister and I sit on my childhood bed. “We all awkwardly walked to the parking lot, and Ryder followed me in his car. I had no choice but to turn in the direction of home, which was in the opposite direction the sheriff was going. So we didn’t talk.”
Hailey’s hair is pulled off her pretty face in a high pony that swings as she shakes her head. “I told you. If you’d listened to me and taken a few days to think about it, you wouldn’t be in this situation.”
I grit my teeth in frustration. “What did you expect me to do? I was trying to clear the situation off my plate so I could move on to other things.”
Hailey blinks, before her blue eyes widen. “Oh my god.”
“What?” My heart starts to pound furiously in my chest.
She swirls her index finger over my face. “You like him.”
“No! I don’t. He’s good lay, that’s all. My body hasn’t caught on to the idea that he’s off-limits yet. That’s why it’s so important to talk to him and set boundaries.”
“I don’t think so. He…flusters you.”