Page 27 of Crave

The waiter shows up and the ladies order practically the entire menu, but Sandy says nothing.

“Hold on.” I call the waiter over to our side of the table. “What do you want to eat, beautiful?” I swear she blushes at the endearment.

“We usually just share.”

“She likes meat.” The rest of the table snickers at Ebony’s announcement, much to Sandy’s embarrassment.

“Shut up, Ebby.”

“I got you covered, girl. I ordered you a steak while you were busy gazing into the eyes of this fine as fuck man,” Diana practically yells at the table.

JD nearly chokes on his beer and Sandy hides her face in her one free hand. I order a steak as well and the waiter quickly departs.

“I’ve been thinking of our kiss all week,” I whisper in her ear, while JD engages the rest of the table in conversation.

“It really wasn’t that great,” she whispers back, but I noticed that she’s relaxed her hand in mine and is no longer trying to pull it away.

“You’re the most beautiful liar I’ve ever met.” I reach over and grab her drink. She turns to face me, daring me to drink it. I take a slow sip of the orange liquid before setting it down. “That’s disgusting,” I say, and she laughs.

“Serves you right.”

I put a stray piece of hair behind her ear, and she reaches up to grab my hand to move it out of the way, but in the process, her eyes lock with mine and her hand stalls on mine.

“Hey, ladies, let’s go to the bar and get some more drinks,” I hear JD say, followed by the scraping sounds of chairs and retreating footsteps.

Without breaking eye contact, I put our intertwined hands to my lips and kiss the back of hers. She lets out a slow breath as she closes her eyes.

I lean in and gently kiss her lips. When she doesn’t pull away, I kiss her again.

“Stop, Jake. What are you doing?”

“Kissing a beautiful woman.” I lean in for another kiss, but she dodges me this time.

“You mean a judgmental bitch?”

“I’m sorry for saying that, but you wouldn’t even give me a chance to explain. You said some awful shit to me too, so I was angry.”

“What is there to explain? Answer me this. Are you in love with your brother’s wife?” she asks, looking at me directly in the eye.

“No,” I answer without hesitation.

“Were youeverin love with your brother’s wife?”

“That’s a long story, and something I’d rather not get into right here,” I say.

“That’s a yes or a no question. It’s not complicated at all.”

“It is complicated, but it’s not what you think. Give me the chance to explain.” I see the uncertainty in her eyes, but I can also feel her unwavering.

“Hey, lovebirds,” Ebony says, taking her seat. Behind them, JD is walking with a tray of cocktails and beers.

“So, Dee, are you going to take my boy out of his misery and go out with him? Do it as a favor for me because if you don’t, I’ll have to hear him bitch about it for all eternity.” JD hands me my beer and I smirk at him.

“And he’s treating us to this amazing dinner, Dee. Come one. Let’s all take a vote,” Diana says.

“You are not going to vote on whether or not I go out with Jake,” Sandy announces.

“Yes, we are! This is America, and it’s a democracy. All those who want Sandy to go out with Jake so that the sexy Dr. JD won’t have to hear him bitch for all eternity, raise your hand,” the very drunk birthday girl says. Everyone, with the exception of Sandy, raises their hand.

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