One of my eyebrows arches. “Why do you care?”
“I’m making conversation.”
I glance around the room, buying time. “Have you finally run through all the women in town?”
He grins. “It’s like you don’t know me at all, G. I prefer the ones who are only here for vacation.”
“Of course you do.”
He shrugs. “At least I’m honest about it.”
“Oh, look at you owning your manwhore status.” I clap softly, tapping my fingertips against my palm.
“Don’t slut shame me. I’m single and I like to mingle.”
I roll my eyes. “Like you’ve ever felt shame a day in your life.”
Under the table, his thigh nudges mine. My pulse jumps. “You know I’d give up all the other women for you, G.”
My heart starts to race, even though I know Jordan doesn’t mean a word he’s saying. Prettily disguised bullshit flows from his lips whenever a single woman is in his proximity.
I pat his cheek. “Good thing you’ll never have to.”
No matter how much I wish he meant those words, I can’t let myself believe them. Letting myself fall for Jordan would be like handing him a handwritten invitation to break my heart.
CHAPTER 2
JORDAN
Ginger patting my cheek like I’m a harmless idiot and brushing off what I said stings more than I expect. I mask it with a grin, which is my go-to move, but the disappointment lingers. She didn’t even pause to consider I could be serious. Not that I blame her. I’ve earned my reputation—years of flirting and flings will do that. Still, I wish I could hit reset with her. Let her see me for once without the baggage and negative expectations. Let her just see… me.
“Do you want a drink?” I ask, already getting to my feet.
She sends me a cautious glance. “I should probably stick with water.”
“You should or you want to?”
She hesitates, and I can practically hear the gears turning in her mind. Ginger doesn’t let loose easily. Being in control is her comfort zone. I’ve seen her nurse one drink for an entire night more times than I can count. Many times, she won’t touch a drop at all.
“I rode with Willow…”
“Did I hear my name?” Willow asks, popping up like she’s been eavesdropping, which she probably has.
“Yeah. You’re my designated driver, so I’m going to have a pumpkin martini.”
“That’s a fabulous idea,” Nina chimes in. “I’ll get one too.”
I nod at Willow. “What would you like?”
“I’ll have a soda, please.”
I head to the bar and order their drinks, plus another round for my brothers and me. While I wait, I glance back at the table. Ginger’s laughing at something Willow said, but her posture hasn’t changed. She’s still too stiff and straight, like she’s posing for a portrait and can’t relax. I don’t know why it hits me in the chest, but it does. She always looks like she’s bracing for something.
When I return, Ginger watches me with a coolly assessing gaze as I pass out the drinks and retake my seat.
“Thank you, but you didn’t have to,” she says.
“I know. I wanted to.”
