“Everyone’s eyes will be focused there.” He glares at my sweater, making me laugh at the pout that has formed on his lips. I grab my bag, pushing out the front door before I grab Nathan to pull him into my place. I knew if I didn’t get us out of my apartment, one thing would lead to another, and we wouldn’t be attending any holiday party. Was that glare because he was jealous thinking that other men would be looking at my goods? I hope so. It’s a terrible thing to hope, but I do.
He grabs my hand as we make our way toward his car. Okay. That’s a small sign that he doesn’t want to leave what happened between us at the cabin. Yet it could just be a habit. I don’t correct it as he opens the door for me, and we’re on our way.
“When will you head back to the cabin?” I find myself asking. I look out the window, not wanting to show all the emotions playing on my face. Do I even want this job if it comes at the cost of heartbreak? No, I don’t think I would, but I also have no idea what Nathan sees us as. He might not believe in monogamy.
“Soon” is all he says. I steal a peek at him, but his eyes are on the road. When our building comes into view, my stomach starts to turn. Why did I think a holiday party would be fun again?
“Love.” His hand grabs mine, and my heart turns over as it always does when he calls me love. He’s done it a handful of times now. “Something is wrong. Tell me what it is.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not. I can feel it.” His eyebrows pull together like he’s thinking over his own words. The valet it looks like they hired is opening the driver side door before I can say anything in response. I pull my hand away to get out of the car. When he comes around, he tries to make a grab for me, but I move.
“Nathan,” I say under my breath. I can see the frustration on his face. His hands are clenched into fists at his sides. When we finally enter the party, it’s already in full swing. I hardly recognize the place with all the lights and Christmas decorations. I’m actually a little surprised how many people are here. I only know a handful of them.
Nathan gets swallowed up by people like he’s a rockstar as soon as we walk in. I guess around here he kind of is. My insecurities start to eat at me. I chew on my bottom lip as I stand off to the side and watch as everyone else mingles. My eye catches the girl I saw last week who was hitting on Nathan outside of the bakery. She gave him her card and made it perfectly clear that she wanted him.
Did he invite her here? He’s looking down at her while she talks, and her hands are very animated. I don’t like how close they keep getting to him. One more inch and she’d be touching him. I also don’t like the fact that I’m not next to him with his arm wrapped around me. I turn around to head to the bathroom but run right into Jack. He catches me before I can fall on my butt and make a fool out of myself.
“Cute sweater.” He smirks down at me as his eyes eat me up.
“Thanks.” I glance back over my shoulder, unable to help myself.
“I wouldn't do that if I were you,” Jack says, drawing my attention back to him. “He’s really your boss. You’ll end up fired, and he’ll end up with a new girl.”
“What do you mean?” I try to play coy.
“I just mean if you’re looking for a little fun, I’m your guy.” He steps closer. “We’re in different departments. It would be fine.” He reaches up, running his finger down my jaw. “I can show you how much better I am in bed than Amherst.”
I take a step back. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say again. He rolls his eyes.
“Men talk, Kayla. Even men like Amherst.”
“He wouldn't,” I blurt out. His eyebrows lift. I don’t know if that look means I just gave myself away or Amherst told him everything.
“Besides, he’s already on to the next.” He looks over to where Nathan is. “Let's get a drink.” He reaches for my arm and starts to pull me along. I go with him because my mind is absent of any other thought than to get away from Nathan. As for my heart, well, that’s broken.SeventeenDr. Nathan AmherstI can pinpoint the exact moment when instinct started overtaking reason. It was when Kayla first walked through my door. I used to be all science and facts, and now I’m all emotion. That’s what drives me from the overly talkative former student all the way across the room to the doorway that Kayla is being dragged through. That’s why my fist comes up and connects with Jack’s jaw. That’s what drives me to take the man to the ground. Jack’s own hand flies up and glides next to my cheek.