Page 54 of Play For Keeps

Her expression turns more serious. “Jake, you’re sweet, but you really don’t have to do all this for me.”

There’s no one I’d rather do this for. Besides, it’s not that big of a deal. It’s breakfast and a little pampering. If her ex wasn’t such a fuck-face she would be used to days like this. “I know I don’t have to, but I want to.”

Everly’s brows tug together, her eyes on her napkin. I can tell she has something on her mind.

“What’s up, Ev. What are you thinking about?”

She cocks her head, looking at me like she’s debating what to say. “Have you dated much?”

“I haven’t.” I clear my throat. “I haven’t been interested. Too busy at work to. It’s been a big learning curve owning my own company.”

There are other reasons too, like the fact that I find it hard to let people in. Then there’s Jade, and the fact that I think I have been subconsciously waiting for her to come back from Italy. It’s probably stupid. She broke up with me, and everything after that was beyond my control, but I loved her— like, really loved her— and I wasn’t ready for things to end. But I can honestly say that for the first time in over two years, I haven’t really thought about Jade since meeting Ev.

“It’s impressive,” Everly says. “I mean, to own your own contracting company at your age.”

“Thanks,” I shrug. “It kinda just fell in my lap. I started off working there after college and eventually was given the opportunity to buy into the company. Last year, I bought my two partners out.”

“And are you happy?” her voice softens.

“I love what I do. I like building things. I like seeing a design come to life. So yeah, I’m happy.”

Everly smiles, her warm eyes searching mine. “Did you always want to work in home building?”

“If I told you what I wanted to do when I was a kid you would make fun of me.”

“Well, you have to tell me now.”

“I always thought it would be fun to be a weather man.”

Everly bursts out laughing. “Honestly, I think that’s cute. I think you’d make an awesome meteorologist.”

“Right,” I smirk. “That’s why you just busted a gut laughing.”

Our server arrives at our table with our meals, sliding the plates in front of us.

I try not to devour the plate of eggs in front of me like a wild animal, but my stomach is growling with how hungry I am. A sex all-nighter will do that to a guy.

“This is so good, Jake,” Everly says, taking a bite of her waffles and letting out a little moan. My eyes are fixed on her as she eats, the joy on her face. It’s official, I’ve lost my fucking mind.

“You are killing me,” I tell her. “You can’t moan like that.”

“Why? Is it giving you ideas?”

“Yes,” I admit, seeing how her eyes glimmer with amusement. “Ideas I can’t act on in a public restaurant.”

I shift in my seat. By the time I’m paying the bill, I’ve calmed down enough to thank Sam for everything.

“You ready for the next stop?” I ask her as we head out.

“Jake, you’ve already given me the best morning. You don’t need to do anything else. But, yes! I’m ready.”

EVERLY

The morning just kept getting better. After the best breakfast, the VIP treatment continued with a mani/pedi appointment at the cutest salon. The nail tech tried to get Jake to stay, offering him the massage chair next to mine to get a pedicure too, but there was no way he was sticking around. Jake is definitely not a mani/pedi guy. He politely thanked her then left, opting to get some work done at the coffee shop next door. Before he left, I saw him sneak his credit card to the girl at the desk.

“Your boyfriend is sweet,” she said after he’d left. I didn’t argue the label. She’s right. I can’t remember the last time I treated myself like this. Luxuries like the spa have not been in the budget for a while.

But it did make me wonder, what exactly are Jake and I? Back at the restaurant, he introduced me as his friend. It didn’t bother me considering everything between us literally happened less than 24 hours ago, but still, this thing between us feels like… more. I mean, do friends whisper filthy things to each other or have the kind of sex that Jake and I had last night? Definitely not the friends that I know.

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