Page 79 of The Quit List
But instead, I nod, trying to ignore the tension still pumping through my veins.
He smiles at me, and my eyes linger on his lips for a moment too long.
If I’d kissed him, would he have kissed me back?
I’m not sure I want to know the answer. Or know why I’m asking myself this question in the first place.
26
JAX
What in the hell was I thinking?
As I gently maneuver Holly through the crowds and out of the bar, the only conclusion I can come to is that, clearly, I wasn’t. At all.
Because I’m pretty sure that the number one thing you shouldn’t do when helping someone find their perfect match is to almost kiss them, especially when they’re technically still on a date with someone else.
Even if said date was making out with another woman on the dance floor at the time.
Everything in me wants to chalk it up to good, old-fashioned lust. Holly’s a ten, and in that short black dress, she’s a freaking eleven.
But I know better than to lie to myself like that. Before I even got her text earlier tonight, I was already feeling something foreign to me, loud and clear: jealousy.
My sister was freaking right. I was jealous. Jealous that Holly was out with Aaron. Jealous at the thought of them talking together, laughing together. Very jealous at the thought of him touching her or dancing with her.
I wanted to be that guy tonight.
When she told me that things weren’t going to work out with him, I felt almost relieved. Felt like I had to see her. So I got off my shift as early as I could and came straight to Illusion. Searched the place for her.
And then, I saw her speaking with that asshole boss of hers, and my jealousy turned into an almost righteous anger that throbbed through my veins.
The moment he put his hand on her back, I wanted to rip his arm clean off.
That guy has such nerve for ever stringing her along. Keeping her a secret when she deserves to be put on a pedestal.
Because based on what Holly’s told me and on what I saw tonight, Dylan is exactly the type of guy I first sensed him to be. The type of guy who sees women as disposable and not worthy of respect. The type of guy she should stay far, far away from.
And the thing is, I don’t think Holly knows that that situation was far from being her fault.
I interrupted before I could even think about what I was doing, literally swooping Holly away from the man. But I was gratified to see that she was glad I was there. Everything about her body language—about the look in her eyes—told me clearly that she wanted to be in my arms, and not his.
So much so that when she asked me to dance, I couldn’t say no. And when she pressed her body against mine, I couldn’t help but move with her, lose myself in that moment…
“I can get a cab,” Holly says when we finally get outside. It’s a total mess out here. Groups of people are lining the sidewalks, talking, laughing, and scrambling to get rides.
No way am I going to leave her to fend for herself.
“Yeah, no.” I put a gentle hand on her elbow and steer her left towards a side street where I’ve illegally parked Edna. I’m sure I have a ticket by now, but it’s worth it. “Aaron and the guys promised Aubrey you’d get home safe, and Aaron passed the baton to me. So, I am going to make sure I see you right to your door.”
She crosses her arms. “Okay. But on one condition.”
“What’s that?”
“McDonald’s drive-thru on the way home. My treat.”
“You need a crisis vanilla milkshake?” I ask, wondering if she’s feeling upset or out of sorts after seeing Dylan.
“No, I’m happy right now.” She smiles and our eyes catch, and a surge of energy soars through my body.