Page 13 of Heat Transfer

“Don’t you work with him?” Felix asked.

“And saw him at Sunday dinner, but before I could tell him we weren’t dating, he started going off about Luke again.”

“Warranted,” Felix said. “You guys dated for a blink, and the guy was preparing for a wedding. Think he got a tattoo of your face?”

“Obviously.”

“On his ass, for sure.” Felix cackled, but when he calmed down, he fixed me with an intent look. “If you want another favor swap, come to the gala as my fake boyfriend, and I won’t ruin the ruse with your family. You can drag me out to this fabled family dinner, and I can bat my lashes and look pretty.”

“There’s no way it’ll pass muster with my siblings. They’re far too nosy and annoying. And that’s a supremely bad idea. I’ll just nut up and tell Dad.”

The idea of taking Felix to the family dinners for real made my heart ache something fierce. This crush was getting out of control, and I only had myself to blame.

“Think it over. I’m a pretty fantastic boyfriend.” Felix wrinkled his nose. “Although with my track record, maybe I’m not.” Despite the normal sarcastic flow of his conversation, his eyes darkened, and the sight lobbed a punch straight to my sternum.

“Hey, anyone would be lucky to have you.” I tried to rein back the emotion bubbling up within me.

“Well, you’re the lucky one right now,” Felix said dryly. “Because you’re stuck with me for this gala—as long as you’re willing to go. You realize you still haven’t told me if you’re in.” He fidgeted with another straw wrapper, winding it around his finger over and over again.

I would be in for a couple of bruises in the aftermath, but I couldn’t pass up the chance.

“Oh, I’m definitely in,” I said, my voice lowering on reflex.

Felix brightened at once. A grin rolled to his lips, and his eyes softened. He skimmed me over, a slow perusal that sent shivers down my spine.

Fuck, I was so out of my depth with this guy.

The door to Zodiac Brewery swung open, and I groaned out loud.

Luke strode in, big, broad, and not my type in the slightest. Why I’d agreed to date him mystified me. Maybe because I’dbeen a little lonely and tired of hooking up. Except he hadn’t been the solution.

His gaze landed on me and then shifted to Felix, and a scowl appeared. This was the problem with being in a town as small as Kennett. You were bound to run into each other.

“Ohhh.” Felix followed my stare. “That the ex? Can I throw a beer at him?”

A laugh burst out of me. Before Luke could stride over, another guy swept in behind him and guided him toward the bar. Thank god. Still, this dinner would be awkward as fuck if I had to fend off longing looks from Luke the whole time.

“Want to get our food to go?” I asked. “I could use a walk.”

“I’m serious about throwing a beer.” Felix picked up his glass. “Let me at him.”

“Nah, once he’s in a new relationship, this’ll all blow over. But if you want, I can drive us to Anson B. Nixon Park, and we can eat there.” I rubbed the back of my neck, feeling like a total coward. I should be able to finish my meal and not worry about my fucking ex, but Luke had been nonstop, I was tired from work, and I didn’t want anything detracting from my time with Felix.

Every extra moment I got with him was one I secreted away.

“You know I prefer eating outside.” Felix flashed me a grin, giving me the easy acceptance that smoothed over my embarrassment. And that—that was why this crush had been reaching new levels of ridiculous. Going to a gala as his fake boyfriend sure as fuck wouldn’t help that.

“Hey.” Felix flagged down the waitress. “Do you mind bringing our burgers to go and a check? Thanks.”

“Sure thing.” She nodded and hustled to the kitchen.

Even though Luke sat at the bar, he kept staring at me. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat. Yeah, we were definitely making the right call. The guy’s continued messages andoccasional runs by my house were beyond annoying, and I wanted to toss him at someone new. It had soured me to try on a dating app again, and I didn’t know when I’d be ready to throw myself back out there.

Felix’s eyes danced with mischief. “I could sit on your lap to make him jealous.”

Before I could say anything, he slipped out of the booth and plopped right next to me.

“Come on, put your arm around me at least. Pretend you like me a little,” Felix said, leaning in.