Page 54 of Keep Me Never
In front ofme.
I’m sitting right here, and it doesn’t even matter.
He knows nothing of who I am, what we are to each other. For all he knows, she’s mine, something I would think would have crossed his mind when he spawned into our night like a fucking fairy-tale twist. Had this guy been three seconds later that night in San Jose, he’d have likely walked in to find my mouth on hers, but even though he didn’t, she was still in my arms. The implication had to have been clear that she wasn’t his to have.
And again today, when they found us on campus together.Couples do that—wait for each other and walk around side by side. He should have at least wondered, shouldn’t he have?
Annoyance has my brows furrowing because I realize the answer to my own questions instantly.
I am a nonconcern to him.
He doesn’t see me as an issue.
He sees me as nothing because I am of no threat to him. Why would I be? I’m but a kid in his eyes. My twenty-one years of age mean nothing to this man who is probably about a decade older, give or take a year or two.
I’m a college kid and he’s CEO or some shit at a billion-dollar company. He’s sophisticated and charming, and I’m exhausted and a living fucking stress case.
The waiter delivers the check, and my pulse pounds harder as Prescott casually pulls it close, blindly signing the receipt with his attention still focused on the blond between us. Because he doesn’t need to worry about the cost. He has his life figured out, and oh how seamlessly she would fit right in.
“You should come with me, Paige,” he reiterates. “I think you’ll love it.”
I know she will.
It’s time for me to go.
“Wait, what?”
My head yanks up, and I freeze when I find all three staring at me. Shit.
I clear my throat. Guess I was thinking a little too loudly.
I focus on her, taking in the small frown that’s formed on her face. “I forgot I have to run by the house before practice later, and I won’t have time after my next class.” Lie.
She’s already pushing her plate away, but I stand quickly, waving my phone around.
“Stay. I can call a car.”
Those little creases on her forehead deepen, and something else slips over her features. “Chase.” She says my name slowly,softly. Almost as if she can sense where my mind has gone. “I’ll come with you” is what she says, but it sounds very much likeI want to come with you.
My smile is as reassuring as I can manage, and I shake my head. “Stay.”You shouldn’t want to come with me.“You have time.”
I can tell she wants to protest, her palms already pressing at the tabletop as if to push herself to her feet. “I saw some fancy desserts on the way in. Maybe they even have some strawberryshortcakeyou can taste test.”
Her lips twitch, despite the concern in her eyes, but she’s no longer trying to stand, so I turn to the others at the table.
“It was nice to officially meet you, Mr. Randolph. Thank you for the invitation today.”
“You as well, son, and anytime.” He gazes at me, his expression almost searching. “A friend of Paige’s is a friend of mine.”
Friend, friend, friend.
“Prescott.” I turn to him. “Thanks for lunch. It was unnecessary but appreciated.”
The man nods. “It was good to see you again, Chase.”
I can’t say the same, my guy.
I tip my chin at both men, and then I turn and walk away, pretending I don’t feel the weight of her gaze growing heavier with every step.
