Page 53 of Forever Wild
“Yes, you do. Deep down you do.”
I don’t know if he’s just trying to tell me Thor isn’t the right guy or if he’s insinuating that he isn’t either. Knowing Jack, both. Everything he says is a puzzle.
“You’re not interested anyway so it doesn’t concern you,” I snap. “Why are you here, Jack?”
His jaw clenches as he stares at me without answering.
“Jack Wyld!” Another fan calls out to him, and I take the opportunity to flee back to the table.
Thor gives me an apologetic smile, still so nice even as he’s about to end our date early.
“It seems like you two have some things to discuss so I went ahead and paid our check.”
“No, we’re all good,” I say. “Sorry about all that. Do you want to go somewhere else and grab another drink? I’m not really hungry anyway.”
“Uhh…” He glances at the bar and then back. “You seem like a cool girl, Everly. How about you call me in a few days if you’re still interested.”
My temper flares, but not at him, so I nod. “Yeah. I’ll do that.”
I head outside but don’t call a ride yet. When Jack exits, he looks around for me and his features relax the instant he spots me. Thenharden again as if he can’t quite decide if he’s relieved or angry. That makes two of us.
I turn toward him. “You don’t get to tell me who or what I want. I’m not the teenage kid you used to protect. I’m a grown-ass woman.”
“I know.”
“Do you? Because it’s a real asshole move showing up here and ruining my night after you already ruined my afternoon.”
“That’s not why I came here.”
“Really? Because so far nothing you say or do makes any sense.”
People in the parking lot are starting to stare. Not that I care, but he obviously does.
“Let’s talk on the way home,” he says.
“I’m not getting in the car with you.”
“Yes, you are.”
I arch a brow in defiance. I don’t even know why anymore. He just makes me so angry. Who the hell does he think he is, showing up here and ruining my date and then bossing me around?
“You can walk or we can test out how strong my knee is and I’ll carry you.”
“You wouldn’t dare,” I seethe.
“Wouldn’t I?”
He would, and god, why is that so hot?
“Whatever. You owe me a ride anyway.” I take off toward his SUV at a quick pace. He unlocks it before I get there.
“You look nice,” he says when we’re seated with the engine running. Cool air blasts through the vents.
“Are you sure you can notice things like that? What with your total and complete disinterest in me and all.”
“I never said I wasn’t interested. I said we weren’t happening.”
“You said you didn’t see me like that.” The words still pain me. I’m a goddamn catch.
