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ButI’vegot to stop reading into our interactions.Instead,Icommit myself to moving forward until those moments between us are forgotten.Iclimb out of the pool and stand with my back to him whileItowel myself off.
I’mabout to head for the stairs when he calls out to me.
“Whereare you going?” he asks whenI’veturned to him.
Iglance atBeau.Didn’the mention toDevonthatIwas going out tonight? “Toget ready to go out withCassieand the others.”
“Where?”
Whydoes it matter?Isabelle’sbrow crinkles like she’s wondering the same thing as her gaze bounces betweenDevonand me.
Igive him the name of the bar, and he nods. “Justbe careful.Andif you need a ride, make sure you call one of us.”
“Okay,”Isay, slightly taken aback.Whydoes he suddenly sound like my father?
Assoon asI’mback inside,Ijump in the shower, wash my hair, and do the full beautification routine.Becausewhy not?I’mgoing out with the wives and fiancées ofFractured, and every one of them is gorgeous in her own way.Idon’t want to show up looking like a shabby tagalong.
Afterputting my makeup on,Iget changed into a cute red dressIbrought from home.It’sdefinitely more bar wear than club wear, but still has a little bit of sexy, with a cutout at the back and a short skirt that flirts with my thighs.
Finishedoff with a strappy pair of heels,Iwon’t look too out of place with the other women.I’mjust checking my phone for the time when there’s a knock at my door.
“Comein.”
Thedoor swings open, andDevon’swide shoulders fill the doorway.Hiseyes roam over me, leaving a trail of fire along my skin that’s hard to ignore. “Youlook… nice.”
Nice?Iguess compared toIsabellethat about sums it up. “Thanks.”
“Doyou need a lift?”
“Cassie’ssending a car for me.”
Henods but doesn’t speak, and we stare at each other for a moment.
“How’sIsabelle?”Isay, then cringe inside.Thatwas a terrible way to show thatI’mnot jealous.
Hisexpression remains neutral. “She’sgood.SheinvitedBeauand me out to a party tonight.”
Myribs compress hard around my lungs, butIforce myself to not react outwardly. “I’msure you’ll have fun.”
“Yeah.”
Tensionshimmers in the air between us, andI’mnot sure what he wants from me, since it’s clear he’s standing by his statement from the other night.Hedoesn’t want anything more.Andhe’s going out withIsabelle, so he won’t be sitting at home pining over me.No, he definitely won’t be pining.He’llhave women draped all over him the minute he steps foot into that party.
I’msuddenly exhausted.Thiswhole thing is confusing and emotionally draining and isn’t going anywhere.AndI’mtired of it.Afterthe last few years, it’s too much.
Ipaste a bright smile on my face and walk toward him, forcing him to move out of my way soIcan pass.Fora moment,Ithink he won’t, thatI’llend up pressed against him again.Then, just before we collide, he steps back to allow me through.ButbeforeIcan get away, he grips my upper arm.
“Shae.”Hisvoice is a rough murmur.
Iturn, my body already reacting to his touch, even thoughIwill it not to.
Heexamines me, his jaw working. “RememberwhatIsaid.Callme if you want to come home early.Orif you need anything.Okay?”
Thatwasn’t exactly what he said before, though.Hesaidcall one of us, notcall me.
Irefuse to read anything more into it.Tryingvaliantly to ignore the way my nipples are pushing against the thin material of my dress,Inod and tug my arm free.
Foranother moment, we stand there, regarding each other in silence.ThenIsay, “Havea good time tonight,Devon.”There’sa slight choke to my voice.
