“Hey.” I pull Bella to a stop. “Want to go meet up with all the guys? They’re listening to a live band at some bar.”
“Yes. Please, God, get me out of here.”
ME: Bella and I are on our way. I’m gonna call an Uber. Shoot me the name of the bar or the address.
“I’ve been ready to leave for two hours. I can’t believe they’re still shopping.” Bella lets out an exasperated breath as she takes a seat next to me to wait for the Uber. “I’m not a shopper. Never have been. Even when I was a teenager. I prefer to browse online. I only buy what I need, when I need it. I’ve never seen the point in owning twenty pairs of flip flops or twelve pairs of the same-color jeans.”
“Me either, though I do have a bit of a purse fetish,” I admit, letting out a giggle at the thought of Bella getting a glimpse of my purse collection. Every color, every size, every style is represented. I have one for any occasion. Literally.
My phone chimes with a notification of the Uber’s arrival just as Courtney calls our names. Pretending not to hear her, I slide into the car, Bella hot on my heels, but we’re not quick enough. Our attempts to evade Teegan and Courtney for the rest of the day have failed.
When they find out we’re headed to meet the guys, they invite themselves along.
When we arrive, they lead the way into the bar.
When Jace offers to grab drinks for us, they’re the first two to speak up.
It’s the Teegan and Courtney show.
All I can do is roll my eyes at their childish behavior. I’m not going to fight with them. It’s not worth my time. Plus, I’ve already won the game.
If I really wanted to be a bitch, I’d rub that in their smug faces. But that’s not me. Not how I want to be.
Then Teegan pulls Jace into the seat next to her and begins to slowly run her fingertip up and down Jace’s arms. His eyes are locked on mine, but he doesn’t push her away. I know why. That doesn’t mean I’m not irate.
“She’s doing it on purpose.”
I’d been so focused on Teegan and Jace I hadn’t heard Lennon sit down next to me.
“I’m aware,” I reply, averting my eyes and taking a sip of the drink Jace placed in front of me.
“Jealousy doesn’t look good on you, Presley,” Lennon notes, relaxing back in his chair and clasping his hands behind his head.
“It doesn’t look good on anyone,” I retort, finally making eye contact with him.
I haven’t seen him since Monday night, and until this very moment, I didn’t realize how much I’d missed him. The way he looks at me. The effect he has on my body.
Yes, I want Jace, but that doesn’t mean I’m blind. Lennon is attractive and sweet and going to make someone very happy one day. If Jace weren’t here, that someone could have been me.
“You look tired,” I say as the lights dim around us.
“I am.” Lennon breaks eye contact, looking over my shoulder toward the stage.
Before I can ask him why, the lead singer introduces the band and the strum of an electric guitar vibrates off the walls.
Tomorrow. We can talk tomorrow, I think to myself as I make an effort to avoid looking in Jace’s direction and enjoy myself.