Page 1 of Love Potion

ONE

JERRYN

Hangingout with my friends is the best. It’s amazing to be here in a home we built together, talking about our successful business and celebrating our resident head chef. I’m always astounded that we stayed close for so many years, and our bond is even stronger now.

I sit back in my chair, smiling and listening to the banter, occasionally glancing at Bane, the best of best friends. I don’t even know where I’d be right now without Bane. He catches my eye and winks, squeezing my thigh under the table. We’re excited about a write-up in a national magazine about Wren, our head chef at Moby’s. It’s nice to see him getting the recognition he deserves.

A loud buzzing noise breaks up the conversation, and as my pocket vibrates, I pull my phone out. I swipe the screen and when I see the source of the text, my emotions shift from surprise to confusion.

“What is it?” Bane asks.

“Um, it’s Alec.”

Bane’s face goes pale, like he just saw a ghost.

“Who’s Alec?” Lowen asks.

“This guy I knew.” I stare at my phone, chewing on my bottom lip. “He’s gonna be in New Onyx. Wants to stop by and say hi.” My stomach flutters as I look up at Bane. Why would Alec want to see me after all this time?

Bane’s jaw ticks. “Are you gonna let him?”

“I feel like we’re missing some history here, guys,” Indy says. “Care to enlighten us?”

“I went on a few dates with him,” I say. “But it wasn’t a match.”

“Why didn’t it work out?” Kit asks.

Great question. Why doesn’t it ever work out? Because I’m broken, that’s why, but the only person in this room who knows that is Bane, and I plan to keep it that way.

“We wanted different things.” I place my phone face down on the table. “Story of my life.”

Bane avoids my eyes, the way he always does when the subject of my dating debacles comes up.

“Bane?” Lowen nudges him. “You have opinions.”

“Alec is a dick,” Bane spits, then mutters, “Sorry, Jerr. I know you thought he was cool.”

I shrug. “It’s not that. He was more understanding than most.”

“Understanding about what?” Ridley asks.

I feel myself blushing a deep crimson red and shift in my seat. “Just some stuff.”

“Do you want to see him?” Salem asks, drawing Bane’s attention back to me.

I fidget with my napkin. Do I? I suppose I’m a little curious, but what’s the point? It’s not like I still have lingering feelings or anything, but I don’t want to be rude. “I guess I should since he’s coming all the way from Seattle. There’s a tech conference in the city.” I glance at Bane. “But it’s been years. I’m sure it’s just a friendly gesture because he knows I live here now.”

“He was jealous of me,” Bane says. “He didn’t like how close we are.”

“He was. I liked him, but it wasn’t anything major. It wouldn’t hurt to say hi, right?”

“Nope. I’m gonna get some water.” Bane stands abruptly and walks off.

I watch him go, frowning and looking down at my phone again.

“I’m just gonna ask,” Kit says. “Why aren’t you guys in a relationship by now?”

Stewart gently smacks Kit’s arm, whispering, “Babe.”

---