Page 41 of The Moment They Can't Forget

“Who is that guy with your brothers?” Lil asked as they headed to the bar.

“Sawyer’s friend JD Hopper.”

“He’s hot.”

He was, but she wasn’t agreeing. JD’s eyes were on her as they walked to where he and her brothers sat. His shirt was a button down in pale blue, and his jeans black tonight. Dragging her eyes from him, she smiled at her brothers.

“Hey there, baby girl,” Sawyer said. “Hey, Lil. You ladies want a drink?”

They ordered, and Zoe introduced her friend to JD. He got off his stool and shook the hand Lil held out. Deciding she’d put some distance between her and JD, she moved down the bar and took the seat next to Ryder.

“Where have you been?” he asked.

“We had a meal at the diner because Lil wanted to experience all the places I’ve told her about.”

“Nice. I’ll pump her for information about why you left Chicago,” Ryder said.

Rolling her eyes, she told Lil she was going to play pool. Her friend waved her away, as she was talking to JD. He was her type, Zoe realized, and that did not make her feel jealous at all.

“I’ll play next,” she said to the Hyland brothers when Zoe reached the tables. Jett racked the balls and handed her a cue.

She’d grown up with these guys and liked their company. Friends, she thought, they were everywhere in this town. Soon Lil joined her, and they all played the next game.

“Don’t blow a vent stack,” Jett said to Lucas when he missed a shot.

“Holy floor flange,” Lucas replied with a straight face.

“My dad is a plumber, so I know what you’re talking about.” Lil smirked.

“No way?” Lucas said, looking six shades of impressed.

“Way. So I know the difference between a backwater valve and ball check valve.” Lil then sank the ball she’d just lined up.

Both Hyland brothers looked awed.

“That shot looks tricky. Let me help you with it, Zoe, and annoy your brothers at the same time,” Jett said. He then put his arms around her. She elbowed him in the ribs, making him wince.

“I’m getting another round of drinks. Back soon,” Zoe said when the game finished. Avoiding her brothers and JD who were still at the bar talking, she used the bathroom. When she was done, she stepped to the open door at the end of the hall and inhaled a lungful of sweet Lyntacky night air.

You just didn’t get air like this in Chicago. It was funny how Zoe was remembering all the things she’d forgotten about this place.Before she could turn and head back to the bar, a hand pushed her out the door and slammed it behind her.

“What—”

She felt someone turn her and press her back to the side of the building. The kiss that followed was hard, and she knew instantly whose lips were on hers.

“JD—”

“Shut up.” His words were hoarse as they both came up for air. “Watching you let Jett put his hands on you?—”

“No, we’re friends. It’s not like that. And we’re not?—”

“I know. The hell of it is, I still got angry,” he whispered against her lips. “What we shared that night, Zoe, it can’t have been that good.”

Her hands went to his hair. “It can’t have been,” she whispered.

His lips were softer this time. Tasting, exploring her mouth. Their tongues twined, and she wanted more. The heat from his palm made her shiver as he stroked under her shirt, once, twice. She could feel the hard ridge of his erection and wanted it inside her again. Ached for him.

“Christ.” The breath hissed from his throat, and then he rested his forehead on hers, his big hands gripping her waist. “We have to stop.”

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