Pretend You're Mine (Inked Hearts 3)

Dean nods true that.

I roll my eyes.

“Am I most guys?” Ryan asks.

“No, but you are a man,” I say.

“I don’t hug people.”

“Most people aren’t naked women.”

Ryan’s nose scrunches with distaste. “Kristen’s as cute as that dancer was.”

She beams. “Thanks, Ryan. I think.”

“Didn’t hug her,” he says.

She nods yeah, that is weird. She looks up at Dean isn’t he weird?

Dean laughs. “You have no idea.”

“But.” I bite my lip. Where the hell am I going with this? Ryan doesn’t like touching. I know that. Of course he doesn’t want a lap dance from a stranger. But he… and I… and… “You hug me.”

“You’re my girlfriend.” He plays into our ruse.

I don’t. “But there’s a reason—”

“It’s different with you, Leigh.”

“Why?”

“You know why.”

“Damn,” Dean interrupts. “Look who the cat dragged in.” He waves to Boat Shoes and Penny as they walk past security.

He smiles, completely at home.

Her eyes go wide with surprise. But the good kind of surprise.

She pulls him closer. Leads him to our table.

Iris dismounts from Walker’s lap, but she stays pressed against him. Her eyes meet mine. She offers me that same are you okay? Look.

I nod. I am. Maybe. Sort of.

“I’m going to powder my nose.” She pushes herself up. Her eyes find mine. “Join me?”

And leave Ryan alone with the ex from hell?

No fucking way.

“I’ll be right there,” I say.

Iris’s eyes narrow no, now.

I wave her away.

She frowns, but she does leave.