Page 81 of A Little Jaded
If Dylan’s surprised to see her boyfriend here, she doesn’t show it. With a smile, she returns, “Hey, Ollie. Perfect timing.” Dylan turns to the guys bugging them. “Have you met my boyfriend, Ollie?”
“Nah, I don’t think we’ve had the pleasure yet,” Reeves states casually as he moves in even closer.
“Lucky man,” one of the strangers offers to Reeves while perusing the rest of the girls as if he can have his pick.
When his gaze lands on Ophelia, Mav steps around Reeves, and Lia darts toward him like a bunny on crack, wrapping her legs around his waist and kissing him. “You’ve been here the whole time, haven’t you?”
“Looks like I’ve been caught red-handed,” he confirms.
“Iknewit was your bike in the parking lot!”
Mav chuckles dryly. “You really thought I’d let you come here without me?”
“Mm-hmm.”
She kisses him again as the stranger turns back to Raine. “Now, where were we?”
“You were just leaving,” she reminds him sweetly.
“You sure?” he challenges.
Her eyes lock with mine over her shoulder. “Pretty positive, actually. Right,babe?”
I step closer, hook my fingers through the belt loop on her pants, and tug her into me, bringing her back to my chest. “I think it’s exactly what he was doing.”
His eyes drift over me as if he’s sizing me up. Lifting his hands in surrender, he steps back.
“Another one bites the dust,” the last dumbass taunts. He’s a behemoth but doesn’t give Finley an inch. “And then there was one.”
“Wrong again, buddy,” Griffin says. “This one’s taken, too.”
Finley stares at Griff, but instead of playing into it like I expect, she shifts back a few inches, leaving space between both the stranger and Griffin. “Griffin’s right. My boyfriend might not be at LAU, but hewouldcare if he knew anyone here was trying to dance with me.”
“It’s only a dance,” the stranger argues.
“Then I’m sure you can find a different partner.” She tucks her hair behind her ear. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” Her footsteps are quick as she rushes off toward what I assume is her table. Griffin frowns but follows her, leaving the stunned stranger in silence.
Raine twists in my arms and faces me. “Is this a habit of yours,babe?”
“What?”
“Saving the day, even when I don’t ask for it?”
“Depends. Are you pissed I used your location to track you down?”
Her forest-green eyes flash with understanding. “Ah, so that’s how you did it.”
“Babe,” I finish for her, mimicking her syrupy sweet tone.
Her lips purse, but she stays quiet. I guide her hands around my neck, then hold her hips and sway us to the music. “I’m sorry.”
She pulls back, her brows bunching, but she forces her tense body to soften as she peeks up at me. “For what?”
“For helping Reeves out tonight,” I admit. “And for using your location to track you down.”
“I’m not mad about it.”
“Which one?” I ask. “The first or second apology?”