Page 44 of Trust

“Did you say anything to Ben?”

“No. I have no proof, and I tried to get him to wait a year or at least six more months before the wedding. He wouldn’t.”

His friend had really gone off the deep end. Not that Jakob didn’t believe in happily ever after. His siblings had met and married their soulmates, so he understood. But he agreed with Lani. There was something off.

He didn’t want to think about that anymore. He didn’t want to worry that his friend just screwed up his life, either.

“So, what do you want to do?”

“Truthfully?”

He nodded.

“I want to get out of this, get up, put on my comfy clothes, and watch something fun.”

“Want company? Or…we could go to my place. I’m sure we could find something for you and do a marathon of something. I’ll even watchGilmore Girls.”

“Why would I watch that?”

“It is always Jules’s go-to for comfort.”

“Oh. Well, not my thing.” She searched his gaze for a moment, and a smile spread across her face. Her lips curled, her eyes brightened, and Jakob felt he owned the world. “I saw that you really likedOnly Murders in the Building.”

For a moment, he was surprised. “Have you been reading my interviews?”

Heat filled her cheeks, and apparently, he loved when she blushed. “Maybe.”

“I have not watched the newest season.”

“I haven’t either. I’ve been too busy with the wedding and the invitational.”

He was trying not to get too excited. “Since you aren’t staying at the resort, do you want to go back to your place and change?”

She shook her head. The smile she sent him had his dick pressing against his zipper. Thank God they were sitting down, so he didn’t embarrass himself. She had rarely smiled at him over the years, but when she did, he felt like he was standing in the sunshine. It was oddly comforting and unsettling at the same moment. The panic he felt was all his own doing. He worried he would do something to get her to stop looking at him with that smile.

“I have clothes in the SUV since I stayed at the resort last night. I noticed that you didn’t book a room at the resort.”

He shrugged, not sure just how to explain it.

“It can look odd sometimes if I stay at a resort. Plus…” he let his voice trail off, not wanting to offend her.

“Plus, what?” Lani asked before using her chopsticks to scoop up some more noodles.

“I wanted to avoid people.”

She chewed her noodles and swallowed, her golden gaze locked onto his face.

“I didn’t realize we had so much in common. I mean, I love people. I get that parties are fun, and I like to get together with friends and family. It’s just that sometimes, I need a break.”

He nodded, feeling a little lighter. It was nice to be understood. “When everyone watches you, making one move can cause many issues. Jensen had issues with it to some extent. Especially during his years as a user.”

During those dark days, Jensen always caused problems for the family. Thankfully, he’d gotten sober, and their mother had hired Nic to be his sober companion. The rest was history.

“And everything your sister went through. That bastard Gregor should be in prison for what he did to her.”

“No, him being ostracized by everyone is better. He’s in prison of his own making.”

“True.”

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