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“So let me get this straight.”Jon leans back in the large booth of the bar we’ve been sitting in for the past three hours, slowly getting trashed. It’s the final night in Whistler, and we allplanned to go out, have some drinks, and then turn in for an early night.

A couple of beers turned into a few, and from nowhere, two bottles of tequila appeared along with two brunettes and a blonde. I can’t say I’m surprised it’s played out this way, but I am shocked to see none of the girls sitting on Jensen’s lap.

“So, you’ve never fucked in public?” Jon announces.

Our starting forward, Jessie, takes a sip of his beer and shrugs. “Nope. We’re not all playboys.”

Jon shoots him a pointed glare. “Was.”

“Sorry, bro—was,” he replies and half winces.

My alcohol-hazed brain is half tuned into the conversation and half focused on the uncomfortable way Jensen is shifting in his seat, staring down at his phone. He’s been quieter than usual this entire week, and that’s not hard to notice since, normally, you can hear him from anywhere. But tonight, I can tell something is off, and as soon as the conversation turns to weddings, he looks like he’d rather be anywhere but here.

I’m sitting at the edge of the booth, so I grab my beer and walk around until I’m on Jensen’s side, taking a seat on the vacant chair beside him. I don’t think the brunette currently perched on our rookie defenseman’s cock will be needing it.

“What’s going on, buddy?”

I look down at his phone right when he swipes out the screen and closes down a picture of a blonde. I don’t get a good look at her, but I can tell he doesn’t want me to see.

“I just hate today.”

Confusion must be written all over my face. “What have you got against riding the gondolas and getting wasted with your friends?

He runs a hand through his glossy, black hair. “No, nottoday. The date. I fucking hate thedate.”

I definitely look confused. “July sixteenth?”

He pockets his phone and grabs another shot, downing it in one. “Yeah.”

I want to ask more, and just as I open my mouth to do exactly that, the brunette whose seat I stole decides she wants it back and slides onto my lap. Her blonde friend joins Jensen on his.

“He’s taken!” Jon shouts from across the table, tipping his glass at the chick running her nails over my chest. My best friend’s eyes are ablaze as he shouts again. “He’s fucking taken!”

“And I’m not in the mood,” Jensen adds, standing straight up from his chair, the blonde almost falling from his lap and onto the floor. “I’m calling it. I’ll see you in the morning.” He points to the rookie defenseman he’s been sharing a room with. “And I don’t want any unwelcome guests tonight.” He turns and strides off, thrusting the bar door open with a flat palm.

I want to go after him, but first I need to peel my very unwelcome visitor from my lap. The thought of any woman other than Luna touching me makes me feel nauseous. “He’s right. I’m taken.” A lie, but it’s a useful card to play, nonetheless.

She turns her head to me. “What? I thought you and that blonde influencer were history. She played away, right?”

Oh fuck off. I push my chair out and mimic Jensen’s earlier move as I stand to my feet and push her off me like her presence is burning my skin. She might as well be, as an unbearable sensation creeps through me, clawing at my insides. Shame, humiliation, anger, and irritation. “You know nothing about my life. Now get the fuck off me.” My voice is cutting and harsh as I spit out my response. I know I’ve overreacted, but there’s only so much I can take. That shit stings.

“Zach, man. You, okay?” I hear Jon call as I make for the exit as quickly as I can.

“Fine. I’m going back to the hotel too,” I reply over my shoulder. Then I’m heading back to the safety of Florida but mainly a pair of coffee-colored eyes.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

LUNA

Icheck my watch for the third time in as many minutes. I can’t wait for him to get home. This week has felt longer than the thirteen years that have passed since we left for college.

I’m sunbathing on the lounger Zach bought me, reading my latest romance book. Yes, I’m a romance girlie and proud. When I hear the rumble of an engine, I immediately know it’s the Uber dropping Zach off.

Don’t go crashing into his arms again, Luna. Play it cool this time.

The front door creaks open, closely followed by the roll of a suitcase across the tiled entrance. Quickly, I pop my earbuds in and flip to the audiobook, pretending like I haven’t been waiting to see him since the moment he walked out the door a week ago.

I’ve no idea where he is in the house or if he’s even spotted me out on the veranda since the blinds are drawn, but the hum of anticipation buzzing through my body senses his proximity.