Page 36 of Ink Wars

She searches my face to see if I’m lying, but she won’t find the lie through my smile. “Fine, but I think you’re playing a dangerous game.”

I stand up and smack her leg. “You worry too much. How about we order dinner here tonight? That way you don’t need to go home and eat alone.”

She smiles as she kicks off her heels, pulling her legs up onto the couch. “I’d love that.”

For the next hour and a half, we talk and eat. I’ve been so involved with Corbin that I didn’t realize just how much I was missing my friends. I need to figure out a way to have them and Corbin.

“I have a blind date tomorrow,” Fay says.

I groan as I toss the rest of my Chinese food into the trash. “Again? Why do you keep letting people at work set you up?”

“Hey, I could meet my prince charming,” she says, sipping her water.

I laugh as I get my station ready for a client. “Sweetie, do you really think that’s how it’s gonna happen? What ever happened to going out and meeting someone? Or going out with someone you work with or a friend or something?”

“You’re one to talk. When was the last time you went out on a date?” she asks.

I could answer her and say I feel like I’m on a date every night, but I don’t do that. It would just stir the pot.

“Yeah, well you’re the one actively looking, not me,” I say.

The door opens and I expect to see my next client, but it’s Harry, Corbin’s friend.

“Hey, Leah. I wanted to extend an invite to you–” he glances over at Fay and winks before continuing. “And your friends to our private party tomorrow.”

I lift an eyebrow as he smiles. “And does Corbin know about this invite?” I ask.

I know deep down that he wouldn’t care if I was there, but he would care if other guys started to flirt and that’s what worries me. I don’t need him acting like a jealous boyfriend in front of all of our friends.

“Course he knows. I wouldn’t do anything like that behind his back,” he says.

“We can’t make it,” Fay says, shrugging.

I jerk my head to her, just as Harry lifts an eyebrow. “Oh yeah? Why’s that?” he questions.

“We have plans,” she says.

“I don’t have plans. Ayra definitely doesn’t have plans. Only you have plans that should be canceled,” I say.

I don’t know why I’m even pushing for it because it’s probably a horrible idea, but there’s something enticing about going. The excitement of possibly doing something with Corbin and the dangerous game of getting caught.

“What plans do you have?” Harry asks, crossing his massive arms.

She doesn’t say anything, just stares at the floor, squeezing her hands together.

I sigh, shaking my head. “She has a blind date.”

He chuckles and she lifts her eyes toward him. “Sorry, but blind dates are for ugly people.”

She stands up and puts her hands on her hips. “That’s a horrible thing to say.”

He glances at me before looking back at her. “It’s true. You go on a blind date when you can’t get a date. I’m gonna take a guess that you have a long line of guys trying to get with you, so why the fuck would you settle for a blind date?”

I smile at his slight flirting, not at all surprised that he would find Fay attractive. She’s gorgeous, she just always goes after the wrong guys. Harry would probably rock her world.

“I have standards,” she says.

“Christ, Fay,” I say, covering my face.

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