“What’s going on?” Nash asked.
Pushing past the three, I said, “Nothing. Nothing at all.”
Blake had yet to see me, and he seemed to be playing the part of Raine’s doting boyfriend well. At least, I thought he was playing a part. Maybe it was more wishful thinking on my part. First Rose. Now Raine. I honestly didn’t know why I was surprised. Maybe I was his little project.
When he pulled out Raine’s seat for her to sit, I watched them closely. Raine lifted her face for a kiss, and Blake hesitated. Then he smiled and kissed her cheek. I didn’t want to let myself believe it was an act like my father thought, but I felt a sense of relief when he didn’t kiss her on the lips.
Rich pulled my chair out, and I sat down. When he sat down next to me, he leaned in. “Tell me you didn’t, Morgan.”
Reaching for the glass of wine, I drank half of it before I answered. “I did.”
He groaned next to me. “A onetime thing?”
I shook my head.
“Shit. Nash doesn’t know?”
“No.”
It was then that Blake looked over at our table and our gazes met. He smiled, then he slid his glance over to Rich, and his smile faded.
“Oh great. He thinks I’m your date.”
“Then let him think it,” I said, trying to ignore the sickness in my stomach.
“You’re playing a dangerous game, Morgan.”
Turning to look at him, I grinned. Chewing on my lower lip, I replied, “I know, but it was a no-strings arrangement.”
“Then why do you both look miserable? And why does he look like he wants to rip my damn head off now?” he asked in a hushed voice.
I shrugged. “I was confused and told him I needed time. He either changed his mind or is angry with me.”
Rich took a drink of his wine. Blake still watched us, but I tried to keep my eyes anywhere but on him. It was just my luck that my seat provided a direct sightline to his table and him.
“I’m going to go with angry. I’m a man, and I know that look. I’ve given guys that look. He is telling me to back the fuck off his girl.”
Rolling my eyes, I looked at Rich. “Seriously? I doubt it.”
“Yes, seriously. We told your entire family we were here as friends, but as far as that man is concerned, we’re here together.”
“You have a girlfriend!”
“He doesn’t know that.”
Glancing back over to Blake, I felt my chest squeeze with jealousy that Raine was sitting next to Blake. Feeling his presence so close to her. That should have been me. He should have been sitting next to me.
“Better watch out, Morgan. I think you’re falling in love,” Rich whispered against my ear.
I felt Kaelynn hit me on the side of my leg. Not daring to look at Blake, I turned and looked at Kaelynn. She was fuming.
“I don’t know what is going on, but Nash will catch on with the way you’re staring over there. You’re swooning over Blake and sending Raine daggers at the same time.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Really? And Rick leaning over whispering in your ear? You’re supposed to be here as friends,” she hissed.
She was right. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and I felt like a fool. Why was I trying to make Blake jealous? He didn’t care if I was here on a date. He’d probably blown me off because he had already had plans to be here with Raine. Suddenly, I felt like an idiot, and not just a fool.