Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

“He was worried.”

“He’s always worried.”

“When it’s about you, yeah. Why do you figure it is you tie him in knots?”

“Why am I standing here when I could be going through security?”

“‘Cause I’ll call Ryan and get him on your plane if you leave.”

Yeah, he will. Somehow, he’ll defy the laws of physics to do it.

I stare into Dean’s mischievous blue eyes. “Weren’t you with Kristen?”

“Yeah, I was with Kristen. At the party. Talking. I am capable.”

“You like her?”

“She’s fun. And hot. But not like that, no. I’m not gonna fuck some chick who screwed over my brother.”

“She didn’t—”

“The friend of my enemy is my enemy.”

“Still. Ryan wouldn’t care.”

“I have standards.”

“You do?” My voice isn’t quite teasing. It’s more confused. But I can’t help it. The world is a confusing mess at the moment.

“You think I’m gonna leave when one of you two might need me?”

“Yeah… Of course.”

He shrugs. “Yeah. Guess I would.” His voice is effortless, but it does nothing to hide the concern in his expression.

Fuck, Dean is struggling to bullshit.

This must be tragic.

It feels all wrong. But standing here, talking to him, is enough to make me forget. I’m wrapped up in Dean’s stupidity instead of in my loneliness.

Right now, it feels like it’s going to be okay.

As soon as I say goodbye…

“There’s plenty of hot chicks here. I’ll bang one back at the hotel. Tell you all about it tomorrow morning.”

“Tomorrow morning?”

“Take you back to the hotel—”

I shake my head.

“All right. Tuesday at work.”

I press my lips together.

“Leigh. A bet is a bet.”