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I give him an exasperated look. "I'm going to assume that you're kidding. Seventy-three people have bid and it's up to twelve-thousand right now."
He smirks. "I thought that might bring in some big bucks."
I whistle. "Whew. I'll have to find a venue big enough for you, Charlotte, and your ego."
He throws his head back with laughter. "Charlotte would agree with you, but she loves it."
"Oh, I know she does," I snicker. "You are saving me a plate of everything, right?"
"Of course. I hear I have to redeem myself anyway, from what you ate at the restaurant Zek and Jer took you to."
For some reason, it surprises me that they told him about that. About a date that was right before our demise. That night was so good, so right, and now here we are, awkward silences and tense looks.
"Yeah, they told me you recommended the place. It was beautiful, especially the view."
"I'm sure if you tell them that, they'll take you right back."
I only hum and one of Jackson's sous chefs calls for him. Using the moment to myself to get my mind off that date and the restaurant, I resolve not to give Jeremiah and Ezekiel anymore of my attention tonight. That's all blown to shit though, when I walk out of the kitchen and see a woman bending over Jeremiah, her mouth near his ear. He shakes his head and angles his body to put space between them but that doesn't stop jealousy and possessiveness from rushing through me.
Before I've even fully realized what I'm doing, my feet are eating up the distance between us. Sophie sees me first, her lips curving up into a smirk. I narrow my eyes as I continue. Ezekiel notices me next, his brows rising at what I'm sure is a determined look. Determined to get Jeremiah away from this woman.
"One little date won't hurt," the woman practically purrs.
"It would definitely end up with you getting hurt," I say through gritted teeth, with the fakest smile on my face.
Her eyes widen as she straightens. "Oh, I didn't realize..."
"Nor were you concerned."
"Come on, Lexa, let's dance."
Jeremiah stands and pulls on my hand until I have no choice but to follow. I continue glaring at the woman, who has the audacity to roll her eyes before she begins walking away, until we reach the dance floor between the tables, right before the stage. Jeremiah puts his hands on my cheeks until my eyes are staring into his.
"Don't let her ruin your night, Lexa," he says low. "Or make you act in a way that will hurt your career later on."
I arch a brow at him. "You mean to tell me if someone hit on me in your gym, you wouldn't want to beat his face in?"
He grins. "Yes, but that's different."
"Oh, is it?"
"No, but..." He shrugs. "Well, here we are, so can I have this dance?"
I finally focus on the song being played, a slow song. Swallowing, I nod. His hands slide down my neck, over my arms, and settle on my hips as my arms wrap around his neck. It's the closest we've been since I closed the door in his face. We begin swaying to the song, my cheek against his chest, his lips kissing my hair. Neither of us speak at first. My eyes are closed, savoring the moment, while I inhale the scent that is uniquely him. Then he speaks, his chest rumbling beneath my cheek.
"God, I've missed holding you."
"I've missed it, too. Especially late at night."
"Hmm. Then, I'm wondering why I haven't been receiving late night invitations when this loneliness took over."
"Jeremiah, you know why."
"I love you, Lexa, so if you think I'm just going to give up and let you slip away from me, you're wrong. I'll be damned if I don't have you for the rest of my life."
I squeeze my eyes shut tightly, determined for the tears to stay behind my closed lids.
"And you know I love you. You know I want the same." As scary as that is to admit to someone who I am sure I won't get to spend the rest of my life with. "But it has to be you, me, and Ezekiel. We both know it can't be any other way. I love you both. I won't choose, and I won't make you choose between me and your brother."
