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Every tiny hair on the back of my neck stands. A shiver runs down my spine, and my nipples go painfully hard. I fight the urge to cross my arms over my chest, and I bring my elbows in, holding the stick between my laced fingers instead. Drag a slow breath in. Gosh. I didn’t expect my body to react like this.

Lynn narrows her eyes at him. “What did you say? It was about me, wasn’t it?”

Jake stands next to me now. Barely an inch between us. He smells so good, like fresh laundry and sunshine. I want to bury my face into his chest and inhale deeply. Instead, I hold myself stone-still. He studies the table and then glances at Lynn. A corner of his mouth tips up. “I said you’re a hustler.”

She shrugs. “I’ve been called worse.”

I sink one of her balls and miss my next shot. Jake is out, so it’s Lynn’s turn again.

She sinks the rest of mine, and the game is over. She saunters back to the bartender. “Can we have three menus? Our friend here”—she tilts her head toward Jake—“is buying tonight.”

I mouthsorryto Jake.

The bartender’s gaze never leaves Lynn. “My shift is done for the day, but I can grab you a booth if you want?”

She rewards him with a smile. “Sure, we’d love that.”

The three of us settle into a half-circle booth, with me in the middle and Jake and Lynn on either end. Not five minutes later, Lynn excuses herself, and two minutes after that, I get a text message from her.

Lynn:Enjoy your dinner. Ask Jake for a ride. I took your key fob.

“What the heck.”

Jake shifts closer to me. “Is everything okay?”

“That little scheming thief. I’m going to kill her.”

He frowns. “Who?”

“Lynn. She took my car.”

His frown deepens. “She left without you. Why?”

Lynn:And don’t worry about me drinking. I didn’t even finish half of it. I’m good, I swear.

Because in her mind, she’s doing me a favor by leaving us alone together. I look at the bar, and Marcus is nowhere to be seen. “Where’s the bartender?”

Me:JFC, Lynn! Did you leave with the bartender? There’s a serial killer out there. What are you doing?

Lynn:I’m fine. I’ll be safe, I promise.

I’m typing an angry message back to her when my phone vibrates again, and a string of emojis comes through. A taco, eggplant, tongue, the peace sign, water drops, and multiple flames. I delete my typed text and send her a dozen knife emojis instead.

“I can’t believe she did this. I’m going to switch her coffee to decaf.”

His hand gently wraps around my wrist. It’s warm and comforting like it belongs there. Like his touch belongs on my skin. “You didn’t answer my question. Why did she leave you behind and not say anything?”

My face heats. Hopefully, Jake won’t notice it in the dim lights. “Lynn’s a jokester.”

“That’s not funny. And not safe either. How does she expect you to get back to your place?”

“She believes I’ll be safe with you, and you’ll give me a ride.”

His hand is still wrapped around my wrist. His thumb moves once, twice in a gentle caress. The tender touch reverberates up my arm and into the back of my neck, where chills dance on my skin. I squeeze my thighs together and make a conscious effort to keep my breathing even. The booth works like a cocoon, isolating us from the rest of the place. He’s so close, his gaze so intense. My body leans into him without my permission. My lips part and—

A waitress stops with menus. Jake releases my wrist and shifts a few inches away from me. I take a menu and keep my gaze fixed on it. The waitress rattles the specials. I don’t hear a thing she’s saying. Jesus, what was I about to do? Kiss him? This is insanity.

“Thanks. We’ll need a few minutes.” His voice reaches me as if from a distance.