Page 19 of Tempting Fate

Chapter Ten

Jamie

I’m hyper-aware of Patch, even if he is feet away, standing behind the bar. I’m even more aware of Em, who moves from my side occasionally to talk to the others before he returns, always with a faintly bashful smile as he pushes his glasses up his nose.

Patch is watching us. Him. I’m not an idiot. He looked gut-punched when Em walked through the door, and I wanted to throw up. Still do.

I don’t really understand it. Sure, I’ve been moping around because he didn’t want to sleep with me, but I figured I’d get over it. I was being honest when I offered. I didn’t want a relationship. I don’t.

Another wolf is sitting at the bar. They’re easy to pick out now that I know what I’m looking for—they watch a little too intently, for a little too long. I sidle over to Dax when Em slips into conversation with Cecile again.

“Who’s at the bar?”

“Flynn. He’s Patch’s new flatmate.”

Dax studies me with quiet intensity. Does he know what Patch realised? Am I right? I don’t dare ask, not with everyone so close.

“Oh. Is he nice?”

As if he can hear me—and oh, fuck, he probably can—Flynn gets to his feet and comes ambling over. He’s got nothing on Dax’s size, though I think no one but Drew truly does, but he’s big in the way wolves are, and his sunny grin is disarming.

“I’m Flynn,” he says, sticking out a hand for me to shake. “And I promise, I’m lovely.”

I snort but shake his hand all the same. Vince glances at us once, lips pursed as his gaze travels between Flynn and Dax, but then drops back into conversation like he never looked at all.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” I reply.

Flynn’s grin widens, but there’s no spark of attraction at all, which is honestly a relief. He takes a sip of his beer and then looks around the group. “You’re all celebrating?”

“You’re not the only one who just moved.” I gesture at Em. “We got a new housemate, too.”

Em catches the gesture and looks up, eyes widening. Flynn grins and gives him a little wave. “Welcome.”

“Um. Thanks.”

“How are you finding the place?” Dax asks Flynn, and Em smiles gently before he answers a question Cecile asked. I’m sure I can feel the heat of Patch’s gaze—looking at me, looking at him, I don’t know—but I don’t check to see if I’m right.

“It’s nice. Haven’t lived with a buddy for a while, but Patch is easy-going, right?”

Dax laughs. “Right.”

I do look at him then. And Patch is looking right back at me, eyes dark, but I know that heat isn’t meant for me. I know it. My stomach clenches all the same and I drop my gaze to my glass, nerves getting the better of me.

Maybe I’m coming down with something. I remember the way I backed him up against the wall in the alley. He went so easily, but he said no, and I need to—

“Jamie?” Dax says. He sounds concerned, and when I glance up, I realise he and Flynn are both looking at me.

I clear my throat. My cheeks flame. “Sorry. Uh, what did you ask?”

“Just if you want another drink.” If Dax is concerned, Vince will be too, and sure enough, he is pointedly avoiding my gaze.

I let out an irritated breath. It’s not their fault. No reason they shouldn’t believe I’m having much darker thoughts.

“Yeah, please,” I say, and he smiles when I do, though I’m fairly sure he doesn’t believe it. “Just gonna get some air for a minute, okay?”

“Yeah?”

“I’ll be back in five.”