Page 32 of Just Forever

The dude stands with his elbow on the bar, leaning against it casually. He’s very close to Lake.

Lake says something, and the guy laughs. He leans closer and says something to Lake, and my husband tilts his head to the side, lips twitching.

Objectively speaking, the guy is good-looking. Dressed in a pair of faded dark blue jeans, boots, and a black V-neck T-shirt, he looks casual and relaxed.

And clearly interested, judging by the way he keeps checking Lake out.

Something twists in my gut.

For a moment, I think it’s jealousy. It’s the logical conclusion, I think. But then, I’m dead certain Lake’s not interested.

It’s stupid.

But the sour twist still remains.

Fuck it.

I get up so abruptly Rachel and Kelly jerk around to look at me in unison.

“I’ll go see about those drinks.” I stride toward the bar without waiting for a reply.

A voice in the back of my head says I shouldn’t, but I’m not really in the mood to listen to reason. Instead, I stop next to Lake, and he turns his head to look at me.

His brows knit into a puzzled frown for a moment.

“Need any help with those?” I nod toward the drinks on the bar.

The frown smooths out, replaced by a curious look.

“Sure. Sawyer went to the bathroom, but I guess there’s a line.”

“He’ll figure out where we went.”

Lake doesn’t stand up, though. He just looks at me and something like understanding dawns in his eyes.

To my surprise, he looks amused more than anything else before he grabs three drinks and turns around.

“Nice meeting you, Wyatt,” he throws over his shoulder. I fumble to get the last two drinks and follow Lake back to our table.

Lake slides the drinks onto the table and straightens up. “It’s hot as hell in here,” he calls over the guy who’s on the stage, butchering Adele. “I’m gonna take a quick breather.”

With those words, he heads to the door. I just stare for a moment before I go after him. I catch him at the door and follow him outside. He keeps walking, heading away from the bar before he glances around, slips around the corner of the building, and stops under an awning. He leans his back against the wall behind him and looks at me.

I feel like an idiot.

I should’ve played it cool and not acted like a caveman trying to… What? Stake my claim? That’s not us. Never has been.

Lake takes my hand and pulls me toward him. The toes of my shoes are against the toes of his shoes.

“What’s wrong?” he asks.

I don’t know why I do it, but I try to evade the question.

“Why do you think something’s wrong?”

He presses his thumb against the bridge of my nose. “You’re frowning. Youwerefrowning, too. And you’re still frowning.”

I blow out a breath. I don’t know what the fuck is wrong with me. Lake was never going to take that guy up on his offer, and I know it, so why the fuck do I feel so off balance about that whole encounter?

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