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Would I sleep with Jack Morgan? Every time the thought has crossed my mind, I’ve pushed it away. Determined that it could only make my life even more complicated than it already is.

As I finish up with the cream, Jack closes his eyes and then reopens them. “Tyler’s a fucking idiot.”

“I thought you’d already worked that one out,” I say, screwing the cap back on the cream and tossing it back into my bag.

Jack doesn’t move from his position, and when I find his eyes again, his gaze drops to my mouth once more.

“On Saturday, will you kiss me?” The question is out before I can stop it.

His dimple pops. “Would that be a problem? It would be kind of weird if I didn’t.”

“It’s not a problem.” I shake my head slowly. “I just want to make sure I’m prepared, is all.”

I can’t deny the shot of need as it races through me. I want him to suggest we practice right now.

“Kendra,” Jack starts, “do you w?—”

His phone buzzes several times in the pocket of his pants, and we break eye contact.

“It’s Darcy. Mum must’ve already told her about us since Jon witnessed my confrontation with Tyler and hauled us into his office for an explanation.” He smiles as he scrolls to read the rest of the message. “She wants to know who Kendra Hart is and when she gets to meet her.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

KENDRA

From the outside, I look like I’m wearing an expensive designer dress and I have my shit together. On the inside, it’s anything but.

Sitting next to me in the executive SUV he booked to take us to the gala, Jack looks as calm as can be in his black tux and bow tie. He also looks hot as fuck with his hair styled back and clean-shaven jawline—the punch from Tyler nowhere near as visible as it was three days ago.

“What’s on your mind, Hart?” Jack’s gaze drops from me to my twisting hands as they rest in my lap.

I stare out of my passenger window, Brooklyn passing us by in a flash of street and car headlights. Up until the past couple of days, so much about tonight has centered around my ex-boyfriend—when he’ll see us at the gala, how he’ll react when he does, if he’ll be with another girl. And now that the night has finally rolled around, Tyler is no longer the reason why I’m nervous.

“Yeah, I’m good,” I reply quietly.

“You don’t even have to speak to him, you know?” Jack’s voice is as soft as mine.

I want to tell him it’s not the thought of seeing Tyler that’s got me all twisted up. I couldn’t care less if he turns up alone or with three supermodels on his arm. I couldn’t care less if he tries to speak to me or even launches his drink in my face.

When Jack suggested we go together, the only reason I hesitated was out of fear of my ex’s reaction. Now it feels like my reservations over us doing this have shifted to something completely new. Because all I can focus on is when Jack plans to kiss me.

His trademark smile is ever present when I turn to face him.

“I’m sure he’ll be avoiding us as much as we will him.”

Jack shrugs as we pull up outside the same venue the gala was held at last year.

Jesus, it’s insane how different your life can look in just twelve months. It’s even more amazing how blind we can be to the one we convinced ourselves was right.

“Jon seated us directly opposite him. I think it was his personal way of punishing me for causing a locker room fight. That, and the fine I was given. Which was half of what Tyler eventually got.”

I pull back as we come to a stop. “But you really didn’t retaliate?”

Jack swings the door open and rounds the car quickly. When he opens my door and holds his hand out to mine, I take it and step out into a sea of flashing lights.

“I didn’t hit him back.” He interlaces our fingers. “But I couldn’t resist antagonizing him a little.”

I want to ask him what he said to Tyler, but the beating music from the venue, combined with hollering reporters, makes it near impossible to hold a coherent conversation. Last Sunday, we kept a low profile, but tonight, there’s no hiding our relationship status as Jack leads me onto the red carpet. And as we make our way toward the entrance, I don’t miss the nudges andwhispers between some of the reporters as they focus their lenses on our joined hands.