Page 118 of Lost Trust

Dammit, that woman is driving me insane.

I scrub a hand over my face as I make my way to the bar, needing something to take the edge off. Unfortunately, being the designated driver means I’m stuck with beer. I could use something a hell of a lot stronger right now, but a rule is a rule.

Two-beer minimum for the DD.

After that, I’m cut off.

I lean against the bar and wait for the bartender when a warm body presses into my side.

A grin tugs at my mouth.

Finally.

I slowly turn, expecting to find Marina has followed me, looking up at me with those green eyes and that wicked little smile.

Instead, I find Charli’s friend Elise. A girl I’ve hooked up with before.

She smiles up at me, and for half a second, I consider playing along. Elise is a nice girl. She’s attractive, fun, and usually exactly the kind of distraction I’d welcome.

Except I don’t want a distraction. Not tonight. Not when Rina has been taking up way too much space in my head for weeks. It wouldn’t be fair to either of them.

“Hey,” Elise says, leaning closer.

“Hey.” I give her a polite smile. “Good to see you.”

Her fingers skim my arm. “You disappeared after the wedding.”

“Yeah, well …”

I glance toward the dance floor. Marina is still out there somewhere.

“I’m taking it easy this summer.”

Elise studies me for a second, probably sensing the brush-off. I hate that I’m disappointing her, but I’m not going to lead her on.

“All summer?” she asks.

“Yeah,” I say gently, “I think so.”

She straightens and gives me a small, understanding smile. “Got it.”

She slips away, and I let out a breath.

“Damn.” Micah sidles up beside me, chuckling.

“What?”

He shakes his head. “That was hard to watch.”

The bartender sets a beer in front of me and a whiskey in front of Micah. I pick the bottle up and take a long swallow.

The cold beer does absolutely nothing to cool the heat still crawling under my skin.

Then Harleigh barrels into me. “I need another drink.”

She wedges herself between us and plants both elbows on the bar.

I glance down at her. “You sure about that?”