Page 20 of Play Me

Gianna groans. “Why do you always have to be so good and make me look so bad?”

I giggle.

“Bring a pail and join us,” Audrey says. “I didn’t say you couldn’t come.”

“No, but you said it first. You’re just so … good .”

Audrey and I laugh at the look of disgust on Gianna’s face. As if being good is somehow a terrible thing. Slowly, Gianna gives in and laughs, too.

“It’s a good thing I love you,” she says.

“I love you, too,” Audrey tells her. “And I’ll make you good before it’s over. Wait and see.”

Kim stops again and hands Audrey the check. She glances at the paper and gives Kim her credit card. As Kim steps away, something across the room catches my eye.

I’m not sure if it’s the plain black T-shirt that feels familiar or the width of his back. But when Gray turns around, putting his baseball hat on his head, his gaze collides with mine with the force of a Mack truck.

“Shit,” I hiss, heat creeping up my neck.

“What’s wrong?” Gianna asks. “Are you okay?”

“Did you eat a peanut?” Audrey reaches for my purse. “Where’s your EpiPen?”

I peek up through my lashes to find a pair of thick thighs moving toward our table. This is going to take more than an EpiPen, guys.

His cologne reaches us before he does, caressing us into a false sense of ease. Gianna picks up on his proximity first, naturally. A slow, sexy smile kisses her lips as she sets her sights on Gray.

What are the odds that he’s here? Why does the universe hate me?

Audrey flashes me a look, and I nod. Her face washes in horror.

I take a deep breath and then lift my chin. His eyes are still glued to me—a hot, sticky sort of glue that traps my attention and holds it tight. He comes to a stop beside Audrey, slipping his hands in his pockets.

My heartbeat quickens.

“Stalking is illegal in Tennessee,” I deadpan.

“Maybe I was here first,” he says.

Gianna sits back. “ Oh .”

“Yeah,” I say without breaking eye contact with my nemesis. “Gianna and Audrey, this is Gray Adler. He was just leaving.”

“It’s nice to meet you, ladies.”

I roll my eyes. My friends don’t say a word.

“Astrid, can we talk for a minute?” Gray asks.

“I’m pretty sure she’s told you numerous times that she doesn’t want to talk to you.” Gianna stares him down.

Gray’s lips twitch.

“You need to go,” Gianna says. “I have a taser, and I will use it.”

“Before you taser me …” He gives her a look like she’s ridiculous. “Let me say one thing.”

“Make it fast,” Audrey says. “Gianna is quick with that thing.”

He fights a chuckle, and it makes me want to kick him in the shins.

“Astrid, I’m sorry.”

Huh? My eyes widen, and my heart skips a beat. As if the words alone weren’t enough to confuse the hell out of me, his tone—soft, clear, and even—confuses me even more. And in front of an audience? He almost sounds like he means it.

“You can go now,” Gianna says.

“Yes. But the apology was very—ouch!” Audrey says, earning an elbow to the ribs from Gianna.

Gray doesn’t move a muscle. He watches me without the fire I usually see in his eyes. His brows are tugged together, and there are lines around his mouth. No arrogance, no snipe sitting on his tongue. I don’t know what to do with that.

“We can talk in front of your friends if that makes you more comfortable,” Gray offers.

Gianna and Audrey turn to me like they’re watching a ping-pong match and wait for direction. If I tell them to get him out of here, they would without question. Audrey might even pinch him for me.

It must be the sangria clouding my vision—and my brain—because Gray kind of looks sorry.

That or the stress of the past twenty-four hours has worn me down altogether because I almost want to hear him out.

If I did give him five seconds to make his point, it might keep him from blowing up my phone.

That would allow me to forget he exists and focus on the other asshole in my life causing problems.

“Why are you here?” I ask him.

“At Stupey’s? Because Jory told me their pad Thai was killer. I had no idea you were here, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

“Of course, that’s what she’s thinking,” Gianna says. “You’ve pestered her all day.”

He starts to respond but stops himself. That’s probably smart. I might be slightly argumentative when pushed, but Gianna will rip his throat out of his body and use it as a straw.

Kim hands Audrey her card while side-eyeing Gray. “That’s it, ladies. Need anything else?”

“We’re good,” I say. “Thanks, Kim.”

“Good night, guys,” she says, waving to the table and giving Gray a quick ogle as she flees.

“Good night,” Audrey calls after her.

Gianna turns to me. “What do you want us to do?”

I look around at the dining area. It’s still pretty full, and it appears a few people are waiting for a table. I can’t, with a good conscience, take up space when Kim could be making tips from a new party.

“Did you tip her on the card?” I ask Audrey.

“Of course.”

I grab my purse. “Let’s go. Gray, you can follow us and talk while we walk, if you must.”

I get to my feet and follow my friends through the restaurant. My instincts tell me that Gray is behind me, but I don’t look. The hairs on the back of my neck wouldn’t be standing up if he weren’t.

My body tingles with anticipation even though there’s no way to know what he’s going to say. I’m sure he isn’t thrilled that I quit, but I don’t know if he’s angry about it. But if I know one thing about him, it’s that he can switch from hot to cold in two seconds flat.

A man holds the door open for us, and we step into the cool spring evening. We form a small circle on the sidewalk around a giant ball of tension. Audrey tugs her cardigan closer to her body, nibbling the inside of her cheek nervously.

Gray stands to my side, looming over me in his sneakers. He seems bigger out here than he has in our past interactions. There’s scruff on his face, his lips look dry, and I want to remind him to add Celtic salt to his water for hydration, but I don’t. He’s not my problem anymore.

“You guys can go,” I say, pulling my friends into a hug.

“Are you sure?” Gianna asks. “We’ll wait for you. Want us to wait in the car in case we need to dig a very, very large hole tonight?”

Gray sighs in exasperation.

I smile at her. “I’m good. Promise.”

“Call me when you get home,” Audrey says. “Before you play driveway chess. I want to know you made it.”

“I will.”

They turn together and make their way to the parking lot.

The sidewalk feels much emptier without my friends. A couple of strolls down the other side of the road, but our side is vacant. The only sound aside from the occasional car is the soft hum of the music from inside Stupey’s.

I’m alone with Gray, only this time, I don’t want to run. For the first time, I want to hear what he has to say. A man who’s sorry and admitting it? Color me intrigued.

Taking a deep breath, I turn to him. His gaze meets mine immediately.

“Talk.”