Page 277 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 5
“Daphne would care.”
“Fine, she might care a little. But she’d understand that you needed me.”
That was true. “It’s not easy, you know. Being the seventh wheel.”
“You’re not the seventh wheel. And if you’re actually looking for a girlfriend, I can help.” He lowered his eyebrows as he staredat me. “I didn’t realize you were ready. We’ve never really talked about…”
“I’m not ready.” I wasn’t going to have this conversation twice today. “I have no idea why Tanner brought those girls here. I’m not interested in anything but a one-night stand.”
“Oh.” Rob nodded. “Okay. Well, good. That makes me feel better. Well, not better for you. I’m sorry, man.”
“It’s fine. Really.”
“If you want to talk about it…”
“I really don’t,” I said. “You know what would make tonight great? If no one brought up my love life again.”
Rob laughed. “You know what would make tonight great for me? If you just told Tanner that you and I are besties.”
“You’re both my friends. Can’t you try not to be jealous and get along?”
“I’m not jealous. I’m protective. That shady guy is definitely up to something on Tuesday nights. And I’m going to find out what it is.”
“Until then…be nice?”
“Fine.” He put his arm around my shoulders. “I’ll be nice to your back-up best friend.”
“Not a great start.” We made our way back over to the table.
“So you and Penny are solid then?” Tanner asked. He was leaning forward a little too far on the table. It looked like he was running an interrogation. “You’re absolutely sure of that?”
James frowned. “I’m positive.”
What was Tanner doing? Everyone was out of control tonight.
“Interesting,” Tanner said. “The last time I saw her she seemed kind of…I don’t know…off.”
“I don’t think you’ve been around my wife enough to know if she’soff.”
“Who wants another round?” I asked, trying to distract my friends before we all got into a brawl like we were dumb high schoolers again.
Matchmaker - Chapter 9
Sunday
I opened my eyes and blinked. The blonde hair strewn across the pillow next to me slowly came into focus. And for just a second. One stupid second. I thought it was Brooklyn. I reached out to touch her, and then my hand froze an inch away from her face. I felt like I was going to be sick.
I closed my eyes and turned away from…Georgia. I think.After my friends had left the bar last night, I’d gone back over to her. I wasn’t looking for true love. But I didn’t want to go home alone again. A fun night in a hotel with some random chick usually made me feel better.
But not when I mistook her for a ghost the next morning. My heart was beating too fast. I was having trouble catching my breath. I climbed out of bed too quickly, pulling on the sheet, startling her awake.
“Matt?” she said groggily.
Shit.
“Where are you going?” She sat up in bed, hugging the sheets to her chest.
I tried to ignore her as I pulled on my pants and looked for my shirt.There it is.I picked it up off a chair and finished getting dressed.
