Page 55 of Phishing for Love
He taps his temple, as if to say,But it’s what I was thinking about all along.
In the bewildering imbalance of the moment, I’m left staring openmouthed at him as he pushes to his feet.
“Enjoy yourcomfortableevening,” Aaron says quietly, looking over my shoulder, his expression unreadable. Then he’s gone before I can say anything else.
“Tess!”
I swivel in my seat at the sound of my name.
Sofia and Kenzie spill into Kelly’s, laughing and giggling, a tumble of color and energy, and I swear I can smell their perfume from here.
Nathan is right behind them, a sweet smile lighting up his tired face when he sees me. He looks like a man who could use a drink and a hug.
I wave them over and shove Aaron out of my mind. To be safe, I build a wall around this fickle mind of mine, the tallest, thickest wall my imagination can construct.
“Hi, babe.” Nathan pulls me close and kisses me thoroughly.
Simply.
Straightforwardly.
I wind my arms around his neck, and light a fire to those words, burning them to ashes.
But all the while he’s kissing me, my only thought is, my walls aren’t strong enough. They need to be higher, thicker, topped with razor wire. Whatever I can think of to fortify them in order to make sure there’s no way they can ever be breached.
CHAPTER TWELVE
[GROUP CHAT]
Kenzie:How’s the head this morning?
Tess:I will never have another shooter again in my life.
Kenzie:I did warn you.
Tess:Why didn’t you stop me?
Sofia:Because you would have taken out her eye. You were a woman on a mission last night.
Kenzie:Hmm, a mission to forget a certain man?
Tess:I was having fun with Nathan.
Sofia:You know who wasn’t having fun? Aaron.
Tess:What do you mean?
Sofia:You didn’t see the look on his face when Nathan kissed you.
Tess:Aaron wasn’t there. He left.
Sofia:Only after the kiss.
Kenzie:It’s true.
Sofia:He looked like he just lost something.
Tess:Aaron can look however he likes. Nathan’s my boyfriend.
