Page 3 of Don't Game Me

Jake’s gaze dissolved into his standard coolness, although there was a hint of bewilderment.

She rushed to say, “I just got in.”

Obviously, he figured that out.

His confused look deepened. “You’re here?”

“I live in California. Had to take a plane to get here.” No change in Jake’s confused expression. “The wedding, remember? The same wedding you’ll be attending as the best man. My brother?”

“Right.” His eyes returned to the crowd into which he’d been staring before. He glanced at his phone.

“You okay?”

“She was supposed to be here.” He scrolled through screens on his phone.

“Who was supposed to be here?”

His phone dinged with an incoming text. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

“What’s wrong?”

He glanced up. “Nothing.”

“Who were you supposed to pick up?” Dread twisted her gut.

“My wedding date.”

Who hadn’t showed because something happened to her.Please don’t let her be dead too.

Jake typed on his phone. “She broke her ankle in a freak fall and isn’t coming.”

“That sounds awful. The same thing just happened to me. Well, not the fall, but my date didn’t show.”

“Your date bailed?”

She rocked her head back and forth to signal sort-of. “He won’t be making it.”

“That sucks.” Jake sent a text and blew out a long, agitated breath. “Guess you need a ride?”

Her spine snapped tight. No way was she doing anything to get “close” with Jake when he usedthattone. “I’m not your problem. I’ll get a cab.”

“Your mother will chew me out if I leave you here. Come on.”

“I’m good.” She pushed her glasses up her nose as if they were a shield. Although she should smile and accept his offer of a ride, she scowled.

“Does everything have to be an argument with you?” He reached out to get her suitcase.

She pulled it behind her, well out of his reach.

“We’re going in the same direction. You need a ride.” He snagged her rollaboard’s plastic handle and pulled it to him.

“You don’t want to give me a ride.” She tried to grab back her suitcase, failing.

“I do.”

“No, you don’t. It’s all over your face.”

“I just said I did.”