Page 58 of Where You Left Me

“I hate to break it to ya, Rosalie, but you’realwayssupposed to be a paying customer,” Ben says.

Nico throws his arm around Rosie’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, pretty lady, I’ve got your drinks covered tonight.”

Rosie plucks Nico’s cowboy hat from his head and stuffs it on her own. “My hero.” She holds it while pushing up on tiptoes to give him a kiss on the cheek.

Seeing Rosie like this is still something I’m getting used to. But mostly, I’m happy for her. Even if I did wish she saved all this cutesy shit when they were alone.

“Since you’re both off tonight, we thought we could finally all hang out. Shoot some pool, play some cornhole?” Maverick says.

“Sounds fun?” Mia replies in question, glancing at me.

It’s strange how she’s only been back in my life for a few weeks and already, we’re like a couple again. She’s checking to see if this is how I want to spend our only evening off together. I love my friends, but they can’t compete with a naked Mia in my bed. Or in my shower. Or my truck. Or really, anywhere, I’m not picky.

But I can tell she wants me to say yes. While I’ve been hanging out with these guys for years, she’s been missing them. I give Mia a nod and she grins.

“Just what I wanted to do on my night off, hang out where I work,” I grumble.

“Don’t be such a grump, it’ll be fun,” Mia assures me, flashing me a smile.

It’s the kind of smile that causes my breath to hitch. A smile that forces me to smile along with her. And a smile that teases me and makes my imagination run wild with sexual fantasies.

“Hey, hey, hey,” A man’s voice greets at the open doorway. Designated Dean steps inside The Pines.

“And now it’s a party,” Rosie whoops.

Dean makes his way around our group, giving hugs and fist bumps. He’s been out of town for the last few weeks. He stops in front of Mia and his jaw drops.

“Mia Cappella? Holy shit.”

“Hey, Dean. It’s good to see you,” she says and goes in for a hug.

Jealousy snakes up my back. Nothing ever happened between Mia and Dean as far as I can recall. But Dean did have a thing for her when we were teenagers. And the fact that he is now dating my ex-girlfriend, does make me wary. I have yet to see the two of them together since I heard the rumor, but itdoesn’t surprise me after how well they got along at Gigi’s cabin last New Year’s.

Dean puts his hands on his hips, his gaze raking over Mia’s body from head to toe and back up again. “How’ve you been?”

“So, Dean? Where’s Sabrina tonight?” I interrupt, glaring at him and stepping closer.

“Uhh,” he drawls out, scratching at the back of his neck. “I think she might be by later.”

“It’s true then, guess you don’t mind my sloppy seconds,” I bite out, my nostrils flaring.

He takes a stance in front of me, puffing out his chest. “I’d have one hell of a time trying to find anyone in this town to date that wasn’t your sloppy seconds,” he quips back, a smug grin on his face.

I clench my teeth until my jaw pops. Honestly, I didn’t think Designated Dean had it in him to wrangle with me. But I’m ready. I’ve got no problem punching that shit-eating grin off his pretty boy face.

“That’s enough,” Maverick grumbles, coming in between the two of us. “We’re here to have a good time. So, for Mia’s sake, we’re all gonna get along. Got it?” His brows lift in question first at me, then at Dean.

We both nod. Maverick is right. I shouldn’t have beef with Dean. I’m the one who broke up with Sabrina after all. And I’m with Mia now.

Shit. Mia.

I slide a weary glance in her direction and her expression causes my gut to tighten. She’s upset. Or sad. I’m not sure which. But either one is not okay. And I’m to blame.

“Great. Now that that’s settled, it’s summer and it’s hot outside. It’s time to get a margarita made up in my face,” Rosie says, walking backward toward the bar.

“I’m on it,” Nico heads that way too.

“You read my mind.” Cammie follows, turning to Mia on her way. “You in?”

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