Page 131 of Can't Always Get What You Want

“Yup.”

“With your knees touching.”

“Oh my God—Gio.” I force out a laugh that sounds totally unhinged. “Don’t be weird!”

“I’m not being weird. You’re being weird.”

“I’m being generous. And kind. By bringing you food.”

“Have you ordered anything yet?”

“I was about to.” Which technically, isn’t a lie. I grab a menu and thrust it between us. “See?”

My brother’s stare bores into my soul.

I pray he’s not doing that twin thing where he can read my mind, too.

Shit.

SHIT, SHIT DOUBLE SHIT.

Luca jumps in—finally—with the calm of a man who’s been through actual playoff pressure. “I was here first. Nova sat down while she waited for her order. We were just talking.”

Gio’s gaze shifts to Luca, narrowing like a laser. “Talking.”

“Yup,” Luca says smoothly. “About hockey. I get excited after a win. I was telling her about that second goal. The Skaggs fake.”

He had told me that; right after I wanted to crawl into his lap and lick the sweat off his neck like my margarita glass.

No one moves.

Gio shifts his weight and crosses his arms. His takeout bag rustles ominously. “So, you were already here when she walked in?”

Luca nods. “Yup.”

“At the bar?”

“Yup.”

“By yourself.”

My non-date nods again. “Watching the game recap on the TV behind the bar like a loser. Single and alone.”

Jesus Christ.

Way to stab me in the heart, knife twisting me in the gut.

I laugh obnoxiously, smacking him on the back.

Gio is still watching us like we’re about to burst into flames. “You two just seem awfully cozy for two people who randomly ran into each other.”

My brother is like a dog with a bone, bearing down. “Cozy? Look around you.”

People everywhere. Packed house. Tables full. Waitstaff bobbing and weaving like they're in a combat zone.

“So many open seats,” I continue, gesturing around theatrically. “Clearly I hadsomany options.”

Luca adds with an expressionless shrug, “I was here. She walked in. Happy coincidence. End of story.”

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