Page 25 of Now to Forever

“Oh,” Dean says, seemingly stumped by this answer.

My eyes ping around the room, desperation clawing at my chest as the familiar restaurant suddenly makes me claustrophobic. The door opens and my head turns as if pulled by a string. Ford walks in . . . with Anna. His eyes meet mine and hold, and it feels tangible. Like an actual rope forms between us that I could grip onto and pull myself toward him on. Anna gestures to the bar and he turns back to her, cutting our tie and walking with his hand on the small of her back. He’s in jeans and a T-shirt, she’s wearing an oversized cream-colored cardigan over a floor-length, casual, striped dress. Her blonde highlighted hair bounces as she laughs at something he says then they slide into two open stools. She’s disgustingly perfect, and I feel personally victimized by how good they look together. The whole scene makes my throat barricade itself closed and refuse to let oxygen enter my lungs. All the while, oblivious Dean continues. Something about estimating the number of house fires caused by leaf burning.

“Let’s sit at the bar,” I blurt, already sliding out of the booth. “The drinks will come faster.” He looks at the bar as if he’s considering the logistics of this decision as I smooth my dress. It’s black and fitted and was chosen before I knew Dean was a mathlete.Along with the stilettos. And the expensive lingerie. “And the number of drinks I have is directly proportional to the probability of me putting out.”

I pulled that line out of my ass and it does what I need it to.

He chokes on his sherry and his face goes red. “Wow. Okay. Bar it is.”

No longer in control of my body, I beeline it to the bar, taking the stool next to Ford, pushing the one next to me out for Dean with the toe of my shoe.

“Scotty,” Ford says, amused smile on his face when I look at him. “Didn’t know you were here.”

“I could say the same.” I raise my eyebrows. “Anna.”

She smiles, but it’s not friendly. More like she’s hoping I have a stroke.

“Who’s your friend?” Ford asks.

Dean sits on the stool next to me and adjusts his glasses before extending a hand toward Ford. “Dean Simmons. New math teacher at Ledger High.”

Ford introduces himself and they shake hands across me. “This is Anna.”

Dean waves and she smiles. “My son is in your class. Miles McIntire?”

“Ah!” Dean says, excited look on his face. “He’s an algebraic wizard!”

She smiles, proud and wide like a doting mother. “He just loves your class!”

They fall into conversation across Ford and I, animated as they careen toward one another.

Ford and I both lean back in our seats to give them space to talk. I sip my whiskey and look at him.

“So.”

“So.” His lips twitch as he gestures toward Dean with his chin, leaning in slightly and using a low voice to ask, “A math teacher, huh?”

I fight a smile. “Seems to get Anna all hot and bothered.”

He chuckles and sucks a piece of ice from his glass, chewing it with a lazy smile. “I remember math homework getting you all hot and bothered.”

His blue eyes are hot; he’s flirting.

“That wasn’t the math, Golden Boy.”

“I know.”

In the background, the sounds of Ben making drinks, hums of laughter and conversation from nearby tables, and even the math-motivated conversation happening across us seem to silence. As if an invisible volume knob lowered everything but our conversation.

I say nothing, busying my mouth by taking another sip.

“He your sure thing tonight?” Ford asks so only I can hear him.

I don’t shy away from the challenge nor the sexy edge in his voice.

“If I say yes?”

He’s quiet but doesn’t look away. On the contrary, he leans closer, our arms fully touching, his mouth at my ear. “I’d tell you I’d rather he not be.”

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