Page 106 of Dangerous Men

I’ve known Jade since I was a kid, but I only met Katie and her group of friends when I was in college. And they never really made me feel like I could be myself, never really felt safe the way I suspect real friends should. I’ll never forget how many jokes they made over the years about my English degree being a waste of money. And despite everyone’s best efforts to get along, they never really “got” Jade, with her crazy hair and piercings. They certainly never thought us opening a shop together was a good idea, making veiled passive-aggressive comments thinly disguised as concern about how difficult it was to succeed with a small business.

The only thing in my life they ever seemed to approve of was Chase. And we all know howthatturned out.

The phone in my hand continues to vibrate, and against my better judgment, I answer with a hesitant, “Hello?”

“Oh my god, Sydney! I’m so, so glad you picked up!” Katie’s voice is so cheerful and loud through the speaker that it leaves my ears ringing.

“Hey, yeah, of course!” I force out, trying to match her chipper tone. “What’s up, Katie?”

“So! We’re having a little get together at my place tomorrow. A barbecue, just like we used to do, and we’d just all love to have youactuallyjoin us this time.”

I wince at the accusation behind her words, holding the phone between my shoulder and my ear so I can keep shelving the last of the books while she talks. Maybe I shouldn’t have picked up, after all.

“Please, Sydney? Weneverget to see you anymore,” she adds before I can even form a response.

“Um. Sure. I’d love to go to your barbecue,” I lie. Right now, I’d rather shave my head and go running down the city streets naked and covered in syrup than attend one of their get-togethers. “But Saturday is our busiest day. I can’t ask Jade to cover the shop all on her own, that’s not fair to her.”

She would do it, of course, without hesitation. And I have no doubt she’d handle it just fine. But why should I make her do it, just to go to some barbecue they suddenlyinsistI attend last-minute? They usually plan these things weeks in advance.

Why are they only inviting menow?

“Then just close the shop for a few hours,” Katie suggests, and I have to gnash my teeth together to keep from snapping at her. “It’s not like you have that many customers, anyway. I doubt anyone would even notice.”

We haveplentyof customers, I want to scream. Even now, on a weekday morning, we’re practically full.

Though, that is a little unusual, isn't it? In fact… now that I’m thinking about it, we have been a lot busier lately. I make a mental note to take stock of our inventory sooner than usual this month, to make sure we’re not running low on any of our popular items.

“I can’t just close the shop whenever I feel like it,” Iexplain. “This is my business. It’s my responsibility, and I’m committed to it.”

She sighs dramatically, and I shrink back into myself. Amazing how she can make a long-suffering sigh convey so much disappointment and frustration. But then again, Katie always was the little leader of our group, always able to bend everyone to her will. Knowing that all of us will just fall in line.

“If you don’t want to see us”—she sniffs—“I wish you would justsay so. You don’t need to make up all these excuses.”

Guilt pools in my belly.

“Idowant to see you,” I lie again. It feels like lies are coming a lot easier to me lately. “It’s just…”

“Then you’ll be here! 12:30 tomorrow, okay? And don’t worry, Chase isn’t coming. He’s out of town on some work thing.”

Her tone makes it clear that any more arguing is pointless. And while it is a relief knowing there’s no risk of running into my ex again, I can’t help but feel like I was just manipulated into agreeing to something I don’t want to do.

Gritting my teeth, I force myself to ask, “Do you want me to bring anything?” I barely listen as she rattles off her answer.

I’m in a foul mood when she finally hangs up.

I wonder what Jade would say if I asked her to block Katie’s number, too. Maybe I should do it. Cut them all off, completely.

Letting out a long breath, I straighten, brushing dust from my legs as I stand up.

When a hand unexpectedly slides over my back and hooks around me, I panic. For one terrifying moment, I think it must be Chase again.

But when I look up and see those soft blue eyes and warm smile, I relax, all thoughts of Chase and Katie and the rest of them vanishing in an instant.

“Good morning, Babygirl.” Ash grins at me. He leans down to plant a kiss on my cheek. “How’s this beautiful day treating you?”

I open my mouth to answer, another lie forming on my lips as I prepare to tell him how great I’m doing. But before I can, Ash pulls a single red rose from behind his back and presents it to me.

I laugh, a little shocked by the gesture, but more thrilled than anything. I love roses. There’s something just so inherently romantic about them. I take it from him and tuck it under my nose and inhale, savoring the sweet floral scent.