“I will consider myself intimidated.” He winks at me.
I wink back, before glancing over to find Charlie scowling at me.
I’m pretty sure he’s grinding his teeth.
Maybe Project Way Cool isn’t a lost cause after all.
Chapter 12
Charlie
This is the worst fucking party I have ever been to in my life.
I have never been so irritated. I want to throttle Jessica.
Mitch and I are standing off to the side of the large patio area while the rest of the group mingles.
“You’re grinding your teeth again.” His tone is smug enough to irritate.
I forcibly unclench my jaw. “I don’t know what you mean.”
He chuckles. “She’s good, I’ll give her that.”
I grit out. “She’s not my concern.”
Today is a lesson in being careful what you wish for. I’d asked her to play it cool, and she overdelivered.
Jessica Moore hasn’t given me the time of day.
“Sure, she’s not.” His casual amusement makes me want to punch him.
I glance over to where she’s talking to Cole Montgomery. Again.
They’ve been like magnets, parting for short bursts of time, only to come back together. All day, I’ve been forced to watch them smile and laugh.
He wants her. It’s written all over him.
I’m so irrationally, infuriatingly jealous I’m sweating.
I hate the way I feel about her. The emotions she evokes in me are everything I stay away from and why I need to break the connection.
Her laugh floats across the air.
Or maybe the connection is all in my head.
I don’t fucking know anymore.
Cole crooks a finger and runs it over her bare skin, grinning down at her, all pleased with himself.
I turn away. I can’t watch this anymore.
I need to get away from her. Around her, I feel chaotic and explosive, and I don’t do that.
Not after my childhood.
When I’d been ripped from my shitty life in North Carolina and shown a different world, I’d sworn the cycle would die with me. It was the only thing I had control over. I have never once doubted my ability to remain detached.
Until Jessica showed up.
