Page 25 of The Little Black Book

“So, what? You’ll give this bitch a bite of your food, but not me?”

Zoey’s gasp rattles in my ears as my hackles rise. Madison glares at me, daring me to contradict what she said, and I can’t believe I ever thought we had a connection. I know she didn’t act like this when we dated before, but then again, she didn’t have cause to be jealous.

“You need to apologize to Zoey,” I say through clenched teeth.

Madison’s eyes widen then narrow. Her chair slides back with an obnoxious screech, and she pushes herself up with a huff.

“Lose my number, asshole,” she growls, then stalks away.

“I’m sorry,” Zoey says as I pick my now-cold food up and move back to my seat beside her.

“Why are you apologizing?” I ask. “She was the one being rude.”

“I know––and she’s obviously not the one for you––but I didn’t help matters by laughing. I couldn’t help it, though. I knew exactly what you were thinking when you tried to show off your arms, and it just burst right out of me.”

“Oh, you mean that obnoxious snort?” I ask, my tone light and teasing.

“I didnotsnort,” she sniffs, picking up a fry from her plate and nibbling the end.

I open my mouth and snort so loud, several nearby patrons look in our direction. Zoey blushes and reaches out, smacking me on the arm.

“Stop it,” she says, barely containing her laughter.

I snort again, and she buries her red face in her hands. Chuckling, I pick up what’s left of my sandwich and take a big bite.

“You’re an ass,” she says when she realizes I’m done teasing her, then sobers. “But thanks for sticking up for me.”

“No thanks needed. I don’t need that kind of negativity in my life, and I don’t like games.”

“Aren’t we playing one now?” she asks, cocking her head.

“Maybe,” I admit, “but our intentions are good. If we succeed, whoever I end up with will be happy, too.”

She nods thoughtfully, then shrugs. We finish our food, and I pay the tab for both our meals. We walk out ofJonathon’stogether, pausing to say goodbye before heading to our cars.

“On to the next?” she asks, and I nod.

“On to the next.”

Chapter9

I’m No Benedict Arnold

Zoey

“God, Sophie, this lasagna is so good.”

“Don’t look at me. Jared made it.”

“Shit, maybe I should make my move. I could use a man who can cook like this for me all the time.”

“Don’t think I won’t cut you, Ava.”

I laugh as the conversation flows around me. We’re seated around Sophie and Jared’s dinner table, with Sam and I on one side, Ava and Zeke on the other, and our hosts at each end. I look at my twin to see his unsmiling face, and emotion hitches in my chest.

I convinced him to come, thinking a night out would be good for him. He’s turned into a bit of a hermit, staying home all the time to get to bed early so he can be up at four to get the donut shop prepped for opening. At least, that’s his excuse.

He just hasn’t been the same since things ended with his last girlfriend ten months ago. He was in love with her and wanted to marry her. But when he proposed, she freaked out. Said she was too young to get married, and though she cared for Zeke, she didn’t love him enough to give him that commitment. He was crushed, and he still hasn’t recovered from the heartbreak.

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