AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A quick trip to the bar, and I get beers for Lu and myself.
Yep, she’s a beer kinda girl—who would’ve known?
Lu, you are winning my heart one day at a time.
“You look like a sophisticated banker,” Tito says as I greet him and Becky at the table.
I assume it’s a compliment, though Becky’s condescending gaze says she’s not impressed. This girl needs to cool it.
Tito looks different tonight. Jewelry on his wrists, a pendant around his neck pointing super-low south down his open chest, clad in a low-cut fashion jumper. I don’t remember any girl in my life who’s given me more heated glances than Tito. Not glances, no—he’s eating me up like Pac-Man.
“How’s your day, Jace? Your job?” Becky asks, starting the interrogation.
Tito flirts.
Becky inspects me.
Lu just smiles and sways to the music. She loves music. I love watching her. If only I didn’t constantly feel Becky’s eyes on me or get bombarded with her questions. They areallcurious about me. It’s teamwork, I realize.
Becky narrows her eyes on me like she’s trying to uncover my secret.Good luck.
“So, sweetie, tell us more about yourself.”
Here we go again. I’m still waiting for Roey to show up—he can deflect her attention.
“Ohio born,” I say, though I’ve already told her this the last time at the condo. “Four years in the army. Now, California. Sales.” I try to be concise for the dozenth time.
Tito arches a brow. “How was the army?”
I shrug. “Is there a way to answer that question in one sentence?”
“Where are your parents? Ohio?”
I didn’t want to bring it up, but now there’s no point in lying. “I don’t have any. I grew up in the system.”
There’s a strange silence for a moment, and I smile at Lu, though there’s so much pity in her eyes that I regret bringing this up.
“Sorry,” she says.
“Property of the state, huh?” Tito murmurs, his gaze on me softening.
“It’s alright.” I chuckle. “Many people lose their parents. I just didn’t have any.”
I think even Becky eased back on her bitchiness.
This is not a sensitive topic for me. Most people don’t get upset about not having a sibling. Some of us don’t have parents, and we don’t know what it’s like to have them. I never used my past as a pity card, but obviously, some people think it is.
“Girlfriend?” Becky’s eyes study me over the rim of her Martini glass as she takes a sip.
“No.”
“Boyfriend?” Of course, the question comes from Tito.
“No.”
His eyes narrow on me with that seductive glint as he drawls, “You don’t try, you don’t know.”
I hold his gaze for a moment, trying to hold back laughter. His flirting is endearing. “No,” I mouth. I need another beer ASAP.
