Page 52 of Forever Wild
He comes to a stop next to our table and his stare burns into me. I can feel the way he notices my hair, my makeup, even the way I’m dressed. I put a lot of effort into my appearance tonight. Thirty seconds ago, I would have said it was for Thor’s benefit. But the way Jack looks at me, I wonder if deep down I was waiting for this exact moment. His dark eyes finally flick up to meet mine.
“Oh my god, Jack Wyld!” Thor’s excitement breaks the moment. “I am such a huge fan.”
Almost lazily, Jack’s gaze slides over to him. “Thanks.”
“I’m Thor.” My date stands and extends a hand. If he has any clue what’s going on, I can’t tell.
A muscle in Jack’s cheek flexes as he shakes Thor’s hand and he says, “Can we have a minute?”
“That’s not necessary,” I interject. I already know Thor will do anything Jack asks of him. With his big, kind eyes, he looks from me to Jack. I have to give Thor some credit because he doesn’t leave.
“Fine,” Jack relents. “Then, do you mind if I join you?”
“Yeah, of course.” Thor looks around frantically. “Here. Take my chair. I’ll get another.”
I want to roll my eyes, but instead sigh and lift one elbow onto the table.
“Thanks, Thor.” A smug smile pulls at his lips as Jack drags thechair over to the side of the table and takes a seat.
“What are you doing here?” I ask him.
His happy little façade slips and the serious and intense gaze that is far more familiar appears. “You know what I'm doing here.”
“Do I?” I bat my lashes innocently.
Thor returns with the chair. As he takes a seat, he stares between us like he’s trying to figure out what the hell is going on. That makes two of us.
“How do you two know each other?” Thor asks.
“We’refriends.” I enunciate the last word very clearly and that muscle in Jack’s cheek jumps again.
“That’s awesome.” Thor’s smile falters slightly. “That was a tough end to last season, but you look great and I heard you were going to be back ready to go by camp.”
The discomfort that immediately takes hold of Jack makes a rush of sympathy temporarily erase my annoyance at him for ambushing my date.
Before Jack can reply, I say, “Excuse me. I’m going to grab another drink at the bar.”
Both of them eye the not yet empty glass in front of me so I swallow it in one gulp, then proceed across the restaurant to the bar.
I haven’t even ordered yet when Jack joins me.
I glare at him, not that it has any effect on him.
“Your date looks like he’s five seconds from running.”
“Don’t act like you care.”
“You and I can’t happen.”
“You came all the way here tonight, ruined my date, just to tell me you aren’t interested? How sweet. You really know how to make a girl feel special.” I step closer to him and his throat works with a swallow.
“Dammit, Ev. You know I’m right.”
I break his gaze to glance over at the table. Thor is flagging down the server in a clear signal for the check. “Perfect. Now you’ve ruined my dinner too.”
Jack’s voice softens. “If he scares that easily, then he’s not the right guy for you.”
“I don’t care about therightguy,” I whisper-shout.
