Page 84 of Give Me Love

“Never better.” I smile and he sucks his lip ring into his mouth. Man, that’s sexy.

I like Shawn. I like Shawn’s lips and his fluffy hair. I reach up and run my hand through it, which makes him grin.

I feel absolutely nothing for him, and that makes him gold. No worries, no stress.

I see Claire and Austin behind us laughing and carrying on. Those two are the best. My family. I should really open up to them more. What’s the point in keeping all this stuff inside of me, anyway? My childhood was scary. My mother ran off and my stepfather ma—. My thoughts are shut off when I see Bryce at the bar.

What the fuck is he doing here?

Shit, shit, shit. I was just starting to have carefree fun.

I exhale and look around Shawn trying to get Claire’s attention.

“What are you doing?” Shawn asks me.

“Trying to get Claire,” I reply, likeduh.

He laughs. “Why not just walk over to her then?”

I laugh, too. “That’s not a bad idea.” With my shoes in one hand and his in my other, we make our way over to my best friends. “Claire we’ve got company.”

Everyone looks at me. Damn, I thought I whispered that to only her. Whew, no more drinks for me. This birthday girl is toasted.

I look to the bar, and when I do my eyes connect with his. Drunk and lazy meets fierce cool blues. They dart down to where Shawn and my hands are linked, and I see his jaw twitch.

I hope he is jealous, the jackass. Serves him right walking in that restaurant with another woman. Leaving me the other night pissed off because he spilled his deepest secrets. I didn’t ask for that shit. He told it willingly. I hold on to Shawn’s hand tighter.

“How in the world did he find us here?” Claire asks.

“Who’s he?” Shawn cuts in.

I wave a dismissive hand toward the bar. “Just a friend.”

“He isn’t looking at you like he’s just your friend.” Shawn removes his hand from mine. I look at him in shock. The traitor. Is he scared of Bryce? He’s a grown man for heaven’s sake.

I sneak another look at the bar, but Bryce isn’t there and Claire clears her throat just as Austin says, “What’s up, man?”

I turn behind me, and there he is. I look around a little too obviously. “Where’s your date?”

“With Jace,” he says, his eyes darting to Shawn.

“Who’syour date?” I ask.

His attention turns to me. “A friend of Jace’s.”

I cross my arms and lift a brow. “So, you don’t know her?”

“I know her enough.”What the hell does that mean?

Blue eyes like sapphire diamonds look towards my date again.

“I’m Shawn,” my traitor says.

“Bryce.” Cool and easy brings his drink to his lips. His presence is both welcome and unwelcome, and honestly the welcome is winning.

Dammit.

My heart stomps it’s foot in frustration.

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