Page 49 of Playing a Player (Sweet Cravings 1)

"Well, a little heads up would have been nice," Rory said.

"I'm sorry." Rory seemed on edge tonight. He wasn't his usual calm, collected, self. But he was still sexy as hell. He looked cute when he was brooding. It actually seemed like he was jealous. He was probably just still uncomfortable from the shower incident, though. And he should have been. I still couldn't believe I had actually done that.

"Oh. Is he picking you up? Do we get to meet him?" Jackson asked. "I think we're all a little curious about what type of guys you usually date." He smiled at me.

"No, I'm meeting him at a restaurant downtown in a bit."

"He sounds like a dick," Rory said.

Connor pushed Rory's shoulder. "Chill, man." He had whispered it, but I still heard him.

Chill? Chill from what? "It's actually the guy I met at the bar the other night, Rory. Did you tell your friends about my awesome wingman skills?"

Rory laughed. But it wasn't his normal, cheery laugh. It was short and forced. "Yeah, you were okay."

"What? I was awesome! The last time I saw Rory that night, he was making out with the girl I introduced him to. And he didn't come home that night...so I can only assume that meant my services were a success."

Connor laughed. "You're awfully cocky. Next time Jackson and I will have to come check out your skills."

"And I'm extremely picky," Jackson said.

"I think I can handle it. I'm pretty much a pro now."

Rory laughed. This time it was his normal, captivating laugh. Whatever had been bothering him didn't seem like an issue anymore.

"Okay, well, I should probably head out. Sorry again, guys."

"Have fun, Keira," Jackson said.

"Don't play strip poker without me!" I said as I walked over to the door.

All three of them laughed as I closed the door behind me. Now I just needed to find something to do for a few hours.

***

I sat down in my favorite ice cream shop with a huge bowl of forbidden chocolate. My appetite had finally returned after reading in the park until it grew too dark to see. And this ice cream was the best. I needed to go on dates with myself more often.

I stared out the window, watching the people walk past on the sidewalk. Ice cream and people watching would definitely occupy me long enough. I wondered if they'd still be playing poker when I got home. It was silly, but I kind of wanted to play. I liked hanging out with them.

Rory and Connor appeared at the window of the ice cream shop.

Wait. What?

Rory turned and looked through the window as they walked by.

Shit! I quickly ducked down. Please don't see me. I got down on my hands and knees underneath the table. A few of the other patrons laughed. Shut up!

There was a ding as the ice cream shop's door opened, alerting the people at the counter that a new customer had arrived.

Please don't be Rory. Please oh please.

I saw two pairs of men's sneakers slowly approaching me. Shit! Maybe I can crawl by them. I'd be out of the door in no time if they were just heading to the counter.

"I could have sworn I saw her," Rory said.

Oh God, it's them. I felt my cheeks turn crimson. I cringed as one of the pairs of shoes stopped right in front of me. The familiar scent of cinnamon entered my nose. I had never noticed how big Rory's feet were before. Maybe that old saying about penis size and shoe sizes being correlated was actually true.

"Keira?" Rory said.

---