Page 18 of Your Place or Mine

The air around me shifted so fast, I swore Melanie winced.

“You’reLydia.”

She nodded slowly, eyes narrowing just slightly. “Is… that a problem?”

Drew picked that moment to arrive, two plates balanced effortlessly in his hands. “Got a bacon burger with sweet potato fries, and one mushroom melt with house chips. Enjoy, ladies.” Then he glanced between us and raised a brow. “Everything cool over here?”

“Cool as a January frost,” I said, sliding from the chair before either could say a word.

“Callum,” Lydia said, starting to stand.

“No need,” I said. “I’ve said what I needed to say.”

Melanie looked between us. “Whatjusthappened?”

“I should’ve figured it out sooner,” I muttered, returning to the bar.

Drew caught up to me before I made it behind the counter. “What the hell, man?”

“You could’ve told me.”

“Ithoughtshe told you. You were all up in arms earlier. I figured you put two and two together.”

I didn’t respond. Just grabbed a rag and started wiping down a section of the bar that didn’t need wiping.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Lydia sit back down slowly, brows drawn tight, lips pressed together like she was chewing on whatever just happened.

I hated that look.

Because it meant I’d made her feel like the enemy, and I wasn’t even sure she was one yet.

But I also hated surprises.

And being dragged into charm offensives.

And beingblindsided.

So yeah…I was pissed.

At her.

At myself.

At the whole damn situation.

And yet… I kept glancing back at her table.

Because no matter how much I hated the circumstances, there was something about her I couldn’t stop watching.

Which only pissed me off more.

Chapter Six

Lydia

I waited until Melanie was distracted with her burger and sweet potato fries before I slipped out of the booth.

“Where are you going?” she whispered with her mouth full.

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