Page 63 of Fake Dating Daxton Hawk
Mina stands from the table, adjusting the blood-splattered belt of her zombie nurse costume. “Okay, let’s take a ten-minute break while I make us some refreshments. Daxton, will you help me in the kitchen?”
“Real subtle,” Jordan mutters.
“I’d love to help.” I place my napkin on the table.
Jordan cringes, giving me an apologetic smile. “Sorry in advance if she says anything harsh.”
“Everything will be fine.” I follow Mina to the kitchen, leaving behind the hum of group chatter.
Like the rest of this apartment, the kitchen is nice, with marble bench tops, gourmet appliances, and an island counter. Mina places a set of crystal glasses on a tray and grabs cocktail ingredients from the fridge.
Before mixing any drinks, she folds her arms and faces me. “All right, motherfucker.” Her words are stern, impersonating the police officer, but she can’t hold character and laughs. “What are your intentions with Jordan?”
I lean back against the counter and tuck my hands into my pockets. “Ah, the classic best friend interrogating the guy. Jordan is special. I like her a lot.”
“Okay, but why? She told me about that first date you two had. You said Jordan isn’t your type. What changed between you two?”
I rub the back of my neck in contemplation, deciding to speak as much of the truth as I can. “We talked. That’s as simple as it is. Things just clicked and I realized how much I like her. She isexactlymy type. We talk all the time—when I’m in New York, when I’m out of town. I got to know her and I love what I see.”
“And has she explained who Steel is?”
Shit. I should have known this topic would come up. “Yeah.”
“But has she told you she’s in love with him and how upset she’s been by his absence?”
I sigh, the fun of this party being wiped away at the reminder that I’m in over my head with Jordan. “Yes.”
“And what do you think of all that? You’re pursuing a girl who is in love with another man.”
“I’m hoping she likes reality better than fantasy.”
“But you’repayingfor her. That’s not healthy if you both like each other—”
“I know.” I cringe while speaking the words. “Jordan and I haven’t had a chance to discuss the money situation yet. Things between us have happened kind of fast. But I plan to take her on a real date sometime soon. I want to call Jordan my girlfriend and know that none of it is fake or based on money. Things are just… complicated between us at the moment.”
“Well, sort them out, because damn… Jordan is happy tonight. I don’t think I’veeverseen her this happy around a guy.”
Seriously?
Hearing Jordan’s closest friend admit such a thing brings a smile to my lips and spreads warmth through my chest.
Mina points to the dining room with her thumb. “Okay, come on, let’s get back to the party.”
I nod at the empty drink glasses in front of her. “What about the refreshments?”
She grins. “You know as well as everyone else at the party that this visit to the kitchen was never about refreshments.”
ChapterThirty
Jordan
I can’t stop fidgeting and sending nervous glances toward the kitchen the entire time Daxton and Mina are gone. The group has dispersed from the dining table with the men chatting in Zac’s office, leaving me and Verena to our own conversation on the living room couch.
“What’s taking Mina so long?”
“Calm down,” Verena tells me. “They haven’t even been gone for five minutes.”
“Okay, but what do you think is happening in there? What could they possibly be talking about?”
