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Sitting at the table is none other than the man who has overtaken my thoughts. Victor smugly leaned back in his chair with a shit-eating grin. It’s kind of cute or sexy. Shit. Lock it up, Collins! I need to remember that he is a local ass-chaser.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I chastise him.
That wasn’t what he was expecting. Not even close. “What?”
“Collins. Calm down.” Lawson pumps his palms up and down, gesturing for me to relax.
“Double date,” Massey says sweetly.
“You set this up?” I want to be livid, but she has no clue what happened last night.
“Free beer, free beer, free beer,” she repeats. “I’ll throw in the breakfast platter from Leo’s tomorrow.”
God, does she think I am that easy to persuade? Beer, dinner, and breakfast?
“Deal,” I say quicker than I can think.
Massey is right. I am that much of a sucker to sit through for food. Leo’s breakfast platter is the absolute bomb. I may be a small woman, but I’ll eat myself sick for that platter of eggs, sausage, hash browns, scrapple, spam, fresh fruit, and a biscuit. That’s a happy dance kinda meal.
I stiffly sit next to the peacock of a man with a sexy smile and try to steady myself.
“So, this isn’t awkward at all,” Massey interjects, cutting the tension in the air.
“Feels like I’m on one of those serial killer documentaries. I promised her free beer and food, and in return, you never find her body,” I laugh.
“Yeah, feed ‘em to the sharks!” Lawson throws his arms in the air. I love how he will match my energy no matter where we are.
Massey is wheezing next to Lawson, all while making a stabbing gesture with her hands.
“What is wrong with you guys?” Victor looks on with concern.
I laugh even harder at his disgust. “Oh, Ivy League.”
“You are making tonight so weird.” Massey stares at Victor. “I did this because you asked, but you need to relax. You are so wound up!”
“You asked for this?” I sit back in my chair, shocked it was him.
“You won’t return any of my calls or texts.” He says matter-of-fact.
He’s not wrong. My phone had been ringing off the hook with notifications. I ended up turning it off and turning into an armadillo with my feelings. I’m still trying to assess what is wrong with me and our situation. Situation?
“Victor, you are lucky to even be in the same room with her.” Lawson’s attempt at humor slightly overshadows his warning. He’s trying to keep things light while establishing some sort of protectiveness. I can appreciate that my brother is still looking out for me.
“If we are spending the evening talking truth, that right there is the truth.” Massey clasps her hands together, agreeing with Lawson.
“Shut up!” I slink down in my chair and blush. No one has complimented me like this before, so I don’t know how to handle it.
I feel Victor’s hand rub against my thigh under the table. The blush I originally had was spreading like wildfire. He keeps his face neutral and takes in the warning from my brother and Massey. I’m not used to this kind of attention.
“The only reason we are sitting at this table together, bro, is because my girlfriend asked.” Lawson drops a bomb that neither Massey nor I were ready for.
Massey’s flushed face and eyes glisten at the notation. Lawson hasn’t ever been this forward and staked claim to anyone. Mostly he’s just happy to be in the company of whoever has gained his attention. This is a massive step.
“Girlfriend?” Massey whispers softly.
“Problem?” Lawson’s body relaxes at the sound of her voice. His hand reaches around the back of her chair and pulls her closer to him.
She melts into his side with the biggest blush I’ve ever seen. “No, no problem.”
