Page 41 of After All This Time

"It's a love-hate relationship," he replies with a devilish grin, his eyes never leaving hers.

"It's mostly hate," she counters, crossing her arms but unable to hide the hint of a smile.

Tobias leans in, raising his eyebrows. "It seems like you're protesting a bit too much, Jennifer."

"You're lucky I love your best friend."

The flirty banter isn't a thing between us.

Well, it wasn't until tonight when, for the briefest moment, he decided to try it out in a way I was absolutely not prepared for.

"Here they are," Harry says, drawing my attention.

I turn, and there’s Tessa, her fingers laced with a man who looks like the universe’s apology gift to every woman who’s ever suffered through bad dates and guys whose idea of personality begins and ends with a gym selfie and a protein shake.

Tessa's grin is blinding, like she's just casually won at life, and honestly? She might have. If there's a God, He's clearly decided Tessa is His favorite, and the truth is, she's so nice that she probably deserves it.

For a solid, humiliating moment, I'm frozen. I feel like a walking, talking goldfish—staring wide-eyed, mouth slightly open, and with absolutely no dignity left in my body.

A soft chuckle rumbles from Tobias beside me, and before I can gather myself, he leans in close, his breath brushing against my ear. The shudder is immediate, like a live wire sparking beneath my skin.

"You might wanna collect your jaw," he murmurs.

I snap my gaze to him, and he's right there—too close, eyes dancing with a hint of mischief that feels dangerously tempting. Instinct kicks in, and I shove him back, but he's already laughing.

"Don't worry. I don't know anyone who hasn't had that reaction to him."

"Finally! Where have you two been? Actually, don't answer that," Jen says, her eyebrow arching with a look that suggests she knows exactly what they've been up to—or, at least, what anyone in their right mind would be doing if they had this particular man at their disposal.

"Mills, this is Tessa's professor, Zane." Tobias's introduction draws my eyes back up to the man in question. The dark gray of his shirt does criminal things for his shoulders, and when thoseamber eyes lock onto mine, I forget every word in the English language.

"You're such an ass," Tessa snaps at Tobias, rolling her eyes, though the grin tugging at her lips betrays her.

Zane's gaze shifts back to me, and he smiles—a slow, easy smile that has absolutely no business being that attractive.

"It's good to meet you, Amelia."

Oh hell. Even his voice is hot.

"You too," I say, the words tumbling out before I can think.

You too?

I mentally cringe.

"How are you settling into Chicago?" Zane asks, still holding my gaze like he's genuinely interested in my answer.

"It's definitely different, but I like it here."

Jen's voice cuts in suddenly, "When do you start your dancing job?"

"Thursday," I reply, nodding as I glance around the table. "I've been making the most of my free time, trying to enjoy these last few days before I forget what it's like to actually have any."

Before anyone can respond, Tobias’s voice slices through the chatter, and all eyes turn to him.

"First round's on me. Everyone having their usual?" he asks, and the group gives an enthusiastic yes. "Mills? Want to come help me?" He slides out of the booth, extending a hand toward me, which I take as he helps me up and guides me out while Zane and Tessa take our seats.

At the far end of the room, we reach the bar where a woman waits behind the counter. She's impossible to miss. Bright, bleach-blonde hair is scraped back into a high ponytail, with tattoos that run down both arms. And then there's the silver lip piercing that adds to her edgy look—it's like she just woke up hot.

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