Page 25 of My End
Boone was back, and the whole house had turned into a stiff, polite shell of itself.
I glanced around the dining room again and traced the thick molding along the ceiling with my eyes.
Footsteps echoed just outside the hallway, and I expected Adam to return. Instead, it was Jake.
My breath caught for half a second. His eyes locked on mine as he stepped through the doorway and lingered a beat too long before shifting to scan the room.
“You joining us for dinner?” I asked, my voice light, teasing. My gaze flicked to the third place setting.
Jake shook his head. “Just making sure everything’s good in here.”
I tilted my head. “Did you get a promotion? No more night shift?”
He smirked, and one corner of his mouth lifted. “Luck seemed to have favored me this afternoon. Boone requested me.”
A soft smile tugged at my lips. “I always knew Boone had good taste.”
The air between us crackled like static. Having Jake nearby would make this whole charade of a dinner more bearable.
Another pair of footsteps drew our attention. Adam reappeared with a tall glass of sangria and a grin. “Two of my favorite people,” he said as he set the drink down in front of me.
I laughed and shook my head. Jake didn’t say anything. Just stood a little straighter instead. See? Even he was acting all rigid now that Boone was back.
Adam turned to Jake. “Can I get you anything?”
Jake shook his head. “Just checking the room before Mr. Boone and his guest come in.”
Adam nodded. “Sounds good. First course will be out in three.”
Jake pressed a finger to the small earpiece in his right ear. “Mr. Boone is on the way now, so three minutes will be perfect.”
Adam gave a thumbs-up and disappeared through the swinging kitchen door again.
Jake moved to stand in the entryway, just beside the door, and his posture was professional, and his arms relaxed but ready. Thirty seconds later, a shadow passed the threshold, and Boone strolled in like he owned the world.
I stood quickly and forced a smile. “Boone,” I called. “It’s good to see you.”
He returned the smile and moved in to kiss my cheek. His cologne was sharp and expensive, and clung to the air even after he stepped away.
“I’m glad you’re here,” he said smoothly.
Boone stepped aside, and another man followed him in. Tall, trim, and wearing a perfectly tailored navy suit that probably cost more than my entire wardrobe. His hair was a shade too dark to be natural, and it was styled meticulously. His skin was smooth, but almost too smooth. There was something off about his smile, like it had been practiced in the mirror.
Boone gestured between us. “This is one of my associates, Craig Gibbs. Tilly.”
Craig stepped forward and extended his hand. I took it and instantly regretted it.
His hand was soft, damp with lotion, and he squeezed like he was afraid to crush a grape. My spine straightened, but I forced a polite smile.
“I’ve heard your name in the news,” I said and gently pulled my hand back.
Craig’s eyes sparkled, and his voice dipped into something… flirty. “I’m assuming it was all good, Tilly.”
“It was,” I replied coolly.
“Let’s sit,” Boone said.
Craig moved to pull my chair out. I held back a grimace as he helped me sit. His hand hovered a little too long at my back, and I stiffened. There was something in the way he looked at me that screamed entitlement. Like he assumed he could have whatever he wanted.
