Chapter 35
35
I squeeze Jake’s hand, loving this secret game we’re playing.
“I think you’re breaking your rule,” I intentionally taunt, because fuck it.
I only have a few more hours until reality strikes.
He looks down at me, arching a brow.
“No phones on dates.”
He grumbles.
“May I have permission to use my phone for one sole purpose on this date?”
“Is that sass?”
He leans down and kisses my neck before whispering, “I will not fuck you here no matter how much you taunt me.”
“I need a water.” I’m so turned on.
“Want one?”
He chuckles, nodding.
“I’m going to catch up with Anna and Chad.” He gestures toward the server from La Nonna and the guy she’s with.
“See you soon.” I giggle and step toward the drink troughs on the other side of the patio.
“Taylor, right?” I ask, recognizing the brunette chatting with a guy in front of the water bottles.
We had a virtual meeting about encouraging guests to post about High Five on social media.
“Yeah. Claire?”
“Yeah.” I look over at the guy next to her.
“Brandon. Brandon Dubois.”
Dubois.
I wonder if he’s related to Kent Dubois.
The gallery I used to work at facilitated his four-hundred-million-dollar donation to the Art Institute of Chicago.
Get it, Taylor , I chuckle inwardly, but rich kids are a breed of their own.
Is Taylor rich?
I have too many nosey questions.
But before I can dig into any of them, a sudden pulse between my legs nearly makes me drop the water bottles.
Fuck.
I flinch, too shocked to continue this conversation.
Managing a polite “Nice to meet you,” I hurry back to Jake.
The moment I’m by his side, I pinch the back of his arm.
He wraps an arm around my waist in retaliation, giving my side a playful squeeze.
Jake is fun.
“This is Claire,” he says, introducing me.
Anna waves, and her date extends his hand.
“Chad. We met at High Five.” I nod, recognizing him now.
He’s the guy who wore the bunny mask in the bar a couple of months ago, before the fire.
“I heard you got to go on the fire boat,” he says.
“Jake’s pulling out all the stops.”
“He is.” I lean into him, silently praying he will turn this toy off to give me a moment of relief.
“So,” Anna says excitedly, glancing around.
“This is an engagement party, right?”
We all smirk.
“I’d bet on it,” Jake says.
“Five bucks that Emily has no idea we are all here.”
Chad shakes his head, then confidently says, “This is a wedding.”
“What?” we all breathe in unison.
“Look around,” Chad says.
“You don’t have this kind of catering just for a proposal.”
“No?” Anna asks, raising a brow at him.
He grabs her by the back of her neck, pulling her in for a quick kiss.
“Well, take notes, Chad,” she teases, smiling up at him.
They’re cute.
Even if she is much younger than him.
I shouldn’t assume every age gap is fucked, but I have to remind myself of that.
“Um,” a woman’s voice breaks through.
She steps closer to us wearing a printed dress with kimono sleeves with a bearded guy in tow.
“Did I hear you say you think this is a wedding?”
Chad nods, then asks, “What do you think, Rachel?”
“I told you she was being weird,” she says, looking up at her date.
“I don’t know what this is, but it’s something big. This is my boyfriend, Patrick, by the way.”
“Jake.” He extends his hand.
Chad does the same.
“Claire.” I wave, recognizing Rachel from High Five—she comes in with Emily sometimes.
“Anna.”
“Also, how does Nicholas know Declan Kruk? This is his house.” Rachel looks at all of us.
Declan Kruk.
Another billionaire.
My ex used to metaphorically jerk off to that guy and his success, always rambling about how he’s the American dream.
“Nicholas texted me saying his sister is friends with him,” I share.
“Phoenix,” Jake mutters, looking around.
“I don’t see her.”
“Have you seen Aaron or Sarah?” Rachel asks.
Our group glances at one another, shaking heads.
“I told you.” Chad chuckles.
“This is a wedding.”
I really hope I’m not wearing a vibrator at my boss’s fucking wedding.