Page 55 of Her Possessive Daddies

"Let's just say college was... very enlightening." I hold her gaze a beat too long. "But that's ancient history."

Mindy squeezes my thigh under the table. Right. Focus.

"What about you?" I direct my attention back to Abbie. "Any skeletons in your closet?"

"Nothing as interesting as whatever you're not telling me about Corey."

Christ, she's quick. Sharp. The way she reads between lines, catches subtle shifts. No wonder Corey's wrapped around her finger.

"Bartending must give you plenty of practice reading people," I say.

"You'd be surprised what drunk people reveal." She takes a sip of wine. "Though some are harder to crack than others." She meets my gaze with a leveling stare that makes my blood boil.

Is she... flirting? No. Can't be. But there's something in her tone, the way she holds me captive with those eyes.

I drain my beer. Need something stronger if I'm going to survive this dinner without completely losing my mind over someone else’s girl.

Mindy's hand slides higher up my thigh. Her perfume wafts over, too sweet, too strong. Nothing like the subtle scent of spice and cherry something coming from across the table.

"We still headed for Aspen this weekend?" Mindy traces circles on my leg. "I want to..."

"Mhmm." The words wash over me as Abbie fidgets with her hair. The simple gesture catches the light, making her skin glow.

"You're not even listening." Mindy's irritated voice cuts through my haze.

"Sorry, what?"

Corey's eyes narrow slightly. Shit. He catches everything - always has. Twenty years of friendship means he reads me like a book. His arm tightens around Abbie's shoulders.

"I was asking about the cabin." Mindy's lips purse. "Our plans for Aspen?"

"Right." I force my attention to her face. "We should be good to go."

Abbie's laugh interrupts my half-assed planning. The sound hits me in the gut, pure and genuine. She's leaning into Corey, eyes bright with mirth at something he whispered.

My beer bottle's empty again. When did that happen?

"Donovan?"

"Sorry. Got distracted thinking about work." The lie tastes bitter in my mouth. "What were you saying about this weekend?"

Corey's watching me now, his expression unreadable. He knows. Of course he knows. I'm being too obvious, staring at his girl like some lovesick teenager.

I'm better than this. Should be better than this.

"Actually." Mindy stands, grabbing her purse. "I think I'm getting a headache. Would you mind taking me home?"

Fuck yes. Maybe distance will clear my head.

"Of course." I slide out of the booth, careful not to look at Abbie. "Sorry to cut dinner short."

"Feel better," Abbie calls after us.

Her voice follows me out the door like a ghost.

The drive to Mindy's place stretches into uncomfortable silence. Her perfume fills the car, cloying and suffocating. Nothing like the subtle cherry scent that still lingers in my mind.

"I thought we were going to your place?" Mindy's voice cuts through my thoughts.

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