Page 64 of Speak from the Heart

“Got plenty of them,” Ethan mutters under his breath, but his face tightens as he speaks. He lifts his beer to his lips, and adds, “Most of them are trouble, though.”

I know what Ethan means, but then I glance at Emily, and I disagree. Some women are worth it. Even if you only have them for a little while.

“What happened now?” Pam interjects. She and Ethan are good friends even though she’s older than him. I’d kick his ass if he tried anything with my sister.

“Got caught with my cookie in the jar.”

“Don’t you mean hand in the—” Pam begins, but when Ethan tweaks an eyebrow at her, she groans his name in disgust.

“Yeah, it wasn’t pretty,” he mutters, his face focused on the table. “But she was,” he adds with a wink directed at Emily. Maybe being here wasn’t such a good idea, after all. I want to be alone with Emily, soaking up everything about her, but I also promised Tricia—who isn’t even here yet—that I’d come.

“I recommend the burger,” I say to her. I figure by the time we finish eating, it will have been enough of an appearance, and we can get back to her place. Our shower was too quick, and I want to take my time with her. My dick strains in my jeans as I recall the spread of her thighs, how slick she gets for me, and her soft sounds. She purrs.

“I think it’s the only burger in town,” Ethan mumbles, interrupting my thoughts.

“We can’t all be a famous chef,” Pam teases him.

“Not famous,” Ethan corrects. “Not yet.”

The conversation shifts to Emily questioning Ethan about what he does and where he works, which then leads to the faraway destinations she’s been to and the world-renowned restaurants she’s experienced. It’s a bit of a reality check that she’s bigger than this small town. It’s not that I didn’t already realize it, but it hits harder as I listen to her talk about these places.

“Here’s to not-yet-famous people,” she eventually says. She lifts her gin and tonic and taps it against Ethan’s beer. Ethan’s face breaks into a huge grin, and I take a swallow of my drink. I see Emily is falling for Ethan’s charms.

I whisper in her ear, “You might have a little drool . . .” I reach over, dabbing at her lips, but she grips my wrist.

“Very funny,” she says, picking up on my insinuation that she’s attracted to Ethan. “You’re the only one I drool over.” Within seconds, she’s turning pink and giggling, and I can’t get over how cute she is. I place a hand on her cheek and lean in for a kiss, right in front of everyone.

I dismiss the gasp from my sister.

I ignore the guffawing from my brother at the end of the table.

But I cannot overlook the gruffness of a male voice that says, “So that’s how it is?”

Emily breaks away from my lips and turns to look up at Gabe Carpenter, who is standing at her other side. He’s glaring down at her, but as far as I’m concerned, he has no business even being in the same room as her.

“Go away, Gabe,” I say, not caring what he thinks. Emily’s hand comes to my thigh as she peers up at him.

“Gabe.” Her terse voice reminds me he hit on her when she went to his office for her grandmother’s will reading.

“He always gets the girl,” Gabe sneers, his eyes still focused on Emily. “But don’t worry, I’ll be right next door when you need me.”

Fuck him. I stand, pushing back my seat. Emily turns her attention to me, looping her hand in my waistband, and I want to bellow at Gabe. See this? She’s touching me, asshat.

“Always willing to be next in line, aren’t you?” I seethe with the memory of what Gabe did with Debbie. “Doesn’t it get old, always taking my sloppy seconds?”

Emily’s voice hitches, and I don’t mean her. I’d never give her up to him.

“Oh, they aren’t sloppy,” Gabe says, his voice even as his eyes narrow on me.

“Jess, maybe we should go,” Emily says quietly. I know I’m making a scene, but I’m sick of protecting Gabe and his precious reputation as being a good guy in the community. People see that he takes care of his parents, always visits them, their late-in-life blessing. They all think he’s so wonderful, but I know the truth: he’s entitled and unworthy.

“I’m not going anywhere. Gabe’s leaving.”

“So will she, eventually.” Gabe nods, implying Emily. I’m circling Emily’s seat when she stands, trying to insert herself between us. She faces me and puts her hands on my chest. She calls my name, but I’m in a rage.

“What’s your problem?” I snap at him. He took my wife away from her child. What more does he want?

“Jess, calm down,” Emily says as Tom steps up behind Gabe, ready to pull him back before I punch him.