Page 49 of The Other Room

“Matt!” I gasped and almost dropped the bottle. Luckily my nimble fingers regained control before it hit the ground.

“Hey, Jo,” he said with a smile.

Startled by his sudden appearance, I struggled for a second to respond. “Sorry. You just startled me. I didn’t see you come in.”

My gaze slid to Jenna’s, and a knowing smirk lifted her red lips.

“Yeah. I needed something to eat, so I thought I’d come in here and grab a bite.”

“Yeah. Good, uh... good idea. I’ll grab you a menu.”

“No need. Pork Torta all the way! Best sandwich ever.”

“Good choice!” Hanson called as he raced past. “Pork Tortas all the way!”

“Got it. Yeah.” I stood there holding the beer, my mind still churning to catch up.

Why did he have to look so good? I stared at him for a few moments too long. After he caught me gawking, I dropped my gaze down. Then I noticed the beer still in my hand, and realized I had no idea where it belonged.

I looked up from the bottle clutched tight in my hands and started scanning the bar hoping a familiar face would remind me who’d ordered it.

“Jo?” Jenna asked, shaking me back to my senses. “You okay?”

“Huh? Yeah.” My gaze darted to Matt for a second, and I felt heat rush into my cheeks.

Oh shit. That’s not good.

Aware of the feelings written across my face, I shot a look to Jenna. When our eyes met, I saw it... that look in her eye that confirmed I could deny it until my face turned blue, but she knew.

Her eyes narrowed as a smirk lifted one side of her lips.

Oh, yeah. She definitely knew.

Please don’t say anything, Jenna, I pleaded with my eyes.

It was bad enough Jenna knew the secret I’d been hiding, even from myself, but now I could only hope Matt hadn’t caught onto the reason I’d suddenly come undone.

Jenna and I locked in a silent standoff, and I pleaded with her again, a soft shake of my head begging for her silence.

“You okay, Jo?” Matt asked, glancing between the two of us.

“Yep.” I forced a smile, spinning on my heel to stalk down the bar with this beer hoping I remembered where it went before I got to the end. And hoping by the time I had to go back by Matt these feelings would be back under control... or at least they would be off my freaking face. I swiped an ice cube from the bin as I hurried past and pressed it to my scalding cheek.

CHAPTER TWELVE

MATT

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What the hell? Jo looked like she’d seen a ghost when she’d seen me sitting here.

“So,” Jenna said, and I turned to see her grinning at me. “How’s it going?”

“Um, good I guess. And you?”

“Good. Very good,” she answered, and trouble brewed in her eyes.

I furrowed my brow while she stared at me, her hand propped under her chin as her smile lifted one corner of her lips.