Page 29 of Love Felt Like This

I’ve learned two things tonight: Beverly is a snapshot of everything kind in the world, and Beau is the biggest asshole alive. I knew he’d cheated on someone while on his first tour, but this is that someone? He’s a damn idiot.

Beau’s pale-blue eyes widen in shock. “Girlfriend?”

Oh, right. That.

Jimmy hates that sometimes I just say things. It gets me into trouble. But I feel a little zip of pleasure when Beau’s mouth starts to open and close like that of a gutted fish.

“Yeah, for a while now,” I confirm, simply because it makes his eye twitch.

“That’s…news,” Beau says. His gaze jerks to Beverly. “Big news, I’d say.”

I follow his line of sight to her. But when I meet her green eyes, she’s focused on me instead.

Beverly wears her expressions like a human cartoon. Even if I hadn’t heard her say We dated, her wide eyes and little breathy scoff at his lie told me everything I needed to know. Now she looks like she’s in shock.

Friends, my ass.

She didn’t seem angry. She looked surprised. Hurt.

I shift uncomfortably in my seat, crossing one ankle over the other knee.

Maybe I shouldn’t have lied. I don’t know her relationship with Beau. But I didn’t like that he walked up to our table so confidently. I didn’t like that he felt comfortable putting her down in front of someone else, despite having no relationship with me, like she was trash beneath our expensive rock star boots. No wonder she doesn’t trust musicians.

Beverly swallows, looking down at her lap, then back up to me. She cocks her head to the side in question, as if to ask Well? Now what do we do?

“Sorry, baby,” I say. “You know I’m a possessive man.”

Her cheeks flush pink. It’s pretty.

Beverly is undeniably an attractive woman. The long eyelashes. The soft blond hair and bouncy bangs. Those familiar green eyes that sparkle despite the dark restaurant and the lines underneath, betraying a lack of sleep.

You and me both.

Yet she has a gentle curve to her face—in her lips, jaw, and down to her slender neck. She’s soft. But I can also tell that behind it there’s strength, a determination to succeed and to do it her way, the way she feels is right.

“Yes,” she says slowly. “That’s right. That’s definitely…um, what you are. Possessive. Always have been.” Adding with wide, expressive eyes, a pointed “Baby.”

The corner of my mouth tilts up.

Well, she’s not that soft.

“One of my many flaws,” I agree.

“Many,” she emphasizes. It sounds more tense than playful. There’s enough uneasiness to make my smile fall and my stomach twist.

I turn in the booth toward Beau, clearing my throat. “So, I need you to apologize to Beverly.”

Beau folds his arms across his chest, squinting. “This is…Wow, you’re serious?”

“Yes, I’m serious that I need to hear that apology.”

“No, I mean…huh. You’re dating.” He points a finger between us. “You two. Her.”

My jaw tightens again. I don’t like how he says that.

Beau scoffs out a laugh and shakes his head. “This is just—”

Suddenly, a bright light flashes, illuminating the booth and blinding me. I blink through the spots, only to be greeted by another.