Page 9 of Hide From Me

“Thisismy business. Come on, Ray, we’ve been friends for years.” His tone softens, and his eyes drop to the floor. He’s been more of a friend than he will ever know. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have this job, wouldn’t have pulled myself out of the deepest hole I’ve ever been in, and wouldn’t have been able to leave the man who broke me.

Without Jack, I wouldn’t have healed from Lance.

“He wanted me to have dinner with him.” I relent, and Jack’s head shoots up, his eyebrows raised in surprise. I scrunch my nose and continue, “Don’t even think about planning double dates or weddings. You know I'm not ready for anything more than a casual fling, so I suggested something uncomplicated.”

“Hell yeah!” Jack rushes toward me, so I step out of the way, and he collides with the sink. I don’t mean to be rude—he really does give the best hugs—but I like knowing I have control over when and where someone touches me.

He lets out an"oof"and rubs his side as he says, “He’s cute. I bet he’s going to be fun! I want full details as soon as possible. I've been lacking since I'm always here.”

“Oh my god! I’m not telling you about my sex life,” I gasp, my eyes widening as I make my way to leave the kitchen again. “Call Kage and have him help you out!”

“You know he’s not into me like that,” Jack whispers, causing me to pause and look back at him with a grin. His unruly, dusty hair falls over his brows, and his brown eyes soften, making my heart ache.

“Then go for Vivian,” I suggest.

He smiles, and I smile back—just for him.

“Maybe I can go for both?” he replies, biting his bottom lip. I roll my eyes and laugh.

Unfortunately, my laughter fades as I step into the dining area and see that the monster is nowhere to be found.

Of course, happiness never lasts long enough.

I shake my head and head to the table. As always, his plate is stacked, glass empty, napkin balled up with the crumbs. There’s a folded twenty under the syrup bottle—and something else. A black slip of torn paper. I flip it.

Half of a business card. His name is at the top. The only complete word starts with"Sea." On the back, there's a phone number.

My heart jolts unexpectedly, causing me to grind my teeth. It's not that I hate the feeling; rather, I've spent so long building walls, and this one piece of paper makes them tremble.

“I can see your shoulders tensing from here,” Jack shouts from the kitchen.

My head darts around the room—empty now, thank god.

“You said you want casual,” he calls. “Well, mystery man is offering. Loosen up. Let someone treat you right.”

"Sweet Jesus," I mutter, shaking my head as I tuck the neatly folded paper with his hefty tip into my apron. I hate to admit it, but Moe is probably the main reason I can afford house at this point. Living on a waitress's salary isn’t nearly enough, and most people hardly ever tip, but he always does, and it’s typically more than enough for me to save for rainy days.

"Go."

I pause mid-reach for the plate and glance at Jack, who leans against the kitchen window with his hands tucked under his chin like a love-struck idiot.

“I’m serious! Get your arse out of here and go home! Get in your bath and text him.” The old, creaky door to the dining room swings open, but I don’t dare glance at him. “Take the time to pamper yourself while he tells you all the dirty, filthy things he’s going to do to you.”

“Jack!” I gasp, turning with a throw of my rag, but it floats limply through the air before landing on the floor. We pause, staring at each other, neither of us backing down, before we break into side-splitting laughter.

“Fine,” I say, untying my apron. “But I’m not texting him. That seems desperate.”

“Youwilltext him. Youwillgiggle like a schoolgirl. And youwillenjoy it.”

“I don’t know who you think you’re talking to—”

Suddenly, his hands cup my face, soft and sincere.

“You deserve this, Ray. Please, for the love of God, let go for just a little bit. I know…” Jack trails off, giving me a sympathetic look as he brushes my hair from my forehead. “I know Lance hurt you, but this man isn’t him. You have to let go.”

I hate him.My brows furrow, and my nose scrunches as I try to suppress all the emotions threatening to fill my tear ducts. I don’t know what I did in my lifetime to deserve a friend like him, but I’ll forever be grateful.

“I just want to see my best friend smile again.”