Worsened still when his large hands skimmed up my chilled arms. “Why are you out here in the cold?”
“Just getting some air.”
He narrowed his gaze. “Liar.”
That one word caused something to snap within me. “Why do you care? It’s not like you expected me to be here.”
The deep rumbling chuckle only made me angrier. “I didn’t know this was happening, Jersey.”
“But you did know you were having dinner with your family,” I countered.
The smile dropped off his face. “So? I have dinner with my family often.” His flippant comment did little to hide the uncomfortableness written all over his face. He knew that I knew that he’d chosen not to ask me to that apparent family dinner.
Not wanting to give him the satisfaction that it bothered me, I waved a hand in dismissal. “You’re right. I’m being stupid.”
He just didn’t get it. Again, not his fault. The man wasn’t wired for the kind of relationship I expected. This would be the perfect opportunity to tell him it was time to end our arrangement. The distress I felt and the uncomfortable ache that came with it proved as much.
But because the universe hated me lately, at that moment a sleek sports car pull up along the curb, catching our attention. We both watched in silence as a tall, sandy-haired man folded himself out before slamming the door. Not having noticed us yet, he dipped to see his reflection in the side mirror, smoothed a hand over his pale dress shirt, and pressed the key fob, producing a loud beep.
Even in the darkness, something about him seemed familiar.
And when he took the paver stone path toward us, I suppressed a groan, recognizing him just as he saw me.
“Amy?” He tilted his head like a dog confused over a verbal command. “Is that you?”
“Hey, Andrew.”
“Wow, you look amazing.” His gaze swept over me, and then, as if he realized Nate was standing there, he proceeded to address him with a casual, “Hey, birthday boy. Happy thirty-third, man.”
“What the fuck?” Nate barked, ignoring the well wishes. I had no idea what Andrew’s connection was to the Navarro brothers, but a quick glance at his scowl meant I was about to find out. “How do you know her?”
“How do you know her?” Andrew repeated. He pointed a finger at me, but his eyes drilled through Nate. “Wait. She’s the woman we saw having lunch with Janis Steiner. I didn’t recognize her then because her hair is different.” My hand automatically lifted to tuck a layered strand behind my ear. And then his blue eyes widened further. “You’re the one Nate has been—”
“Explain, Andrew,” Nate said, cutting him off, his gaze bouncing from me to Andrew and back. “How do you know her?”
Whereas I felt ill, Andrew grinned. “Let’s say Amy is an old acquaintance.”
“You fucked him?” Nate growled at me.
“Not that it’s any of your business.”
“Like hell it’s not.”
Sensing his friend found no humor in the situation, Andrew raised both hands in defense. “It was years ago. One night.”
The excuse made Nate only more livid. “Is there a pussy in Manhattan you haven’t shoved your dick into?”
“You seriously did not just say that.” When Nate’s ire aimed my way, it took every bit of resolve not to slap his face.
“Sorry,” he tossed out before adding, “It’s just something he does.”
“Fuck off, man. Like you’re any different. It’s no big deal. Now we’re even.” When one of Nate’s brows rose, Andrew added, “Melanie.”
“It’s not the same thing.”
“It’s worse. You fucked her after we broke up.” Andrew’s eyes cut to me. “You didn’t know Amy when we fucked.”
The way they discussed me as though I weren’t there infuriated me. If I didn’t get away from them, they would both risk receiving a good slap across their handsome faces. While they continued to bicker, I stomped down the stairs, fumbling inside my bag for my phone. It would cost me a fortune, but my only way to escape would be by calling for a cab.
A firm hand grabbed my arm. “Where are you going?” Behind Nate, Andrew took the opportunity to escape into the house.
“Home.”
“No, you’re not.”
“Yes, I am,” I hissed, jabbing a finger into his chest. “You have fucking nerve. Where do you come off playing a possessive Neanderthal?”
“Neanderthal?”
“Actually, more like an asshole Neanderthal.”
He shoved a hand through his hair and stared at me in exasperation. “I just found out you fucked my best friend.”
“So?” His eyes widened when I barked, “You have no right to be pissed at me. Not after you canceled last weekend to be with someone else.”
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
Shut up, Amy. Christ, what was wrong with me? “Nothing. Forget it. Go enjoy your party. We’ll talk tomorrow.” I started to walk away, and that same firm grip once again stopped me.
“What are you talking about?” he repeated.
“Last Friday, I attempted to deliver you dinner. Sushi. But when the cab pulled up in front of your office building, you were heading out of it with a leggy blonde.” His brow scrunched in consideration. “It doesn’t matter. You owe me nothing. Although, if you fucked her, it does break the agreement we made to end things before it came to that.”
“It was business, Jersey.”
There was no reason for me not to believe him, but something in me couldn’t end it there. “You always that chummy with business associates?” When his eyes darted away, I knew. “Ah… you did fuck her at one time.”
“That was years ago. There’s nothing between us now. Clare is a good friend.”
“Isn’t that worse than what me and Andrew are to each other?” I snapped with contempt clear in my voice. “Which is nothing.”
“It’s not the same thing.”
I gawked at him. “Oh my God. Whatever, Nate.” My blood boiled over the entire situation. What a hypocrite. But, again, it was all my fault. It was me who changed. It was me who veered off course. I was the idiot in this relationship… not him.
We stood there staring at each other, each seething for our own reasons.
Okay, I had no right to be angry about her and Andrew, but I was! And like the coward he was, my so-called best friend bolted the moment my back was turned. I’d deal with him later. I had this stubborn pain in the ass to deal with first. One who could infuriate me and make me hard as steel at the same time.
“You don’t believe me,” I finally said. It wasn’t a question. Besides, I could tell she didn’t as she stood with her arms folded.
“I really don’t care who you fuck, Nate. Just as long as it’s not at the same time as me.” It took pure fucking resolve to stop from crushing my mouth on hers and sucking the snark right out of her.
“Well, I haven’t fucked her, and I wouldn’t. When I make a promise, I keep it.”
“Maybe that’s the problem.” Her eyes met mine unwaveringly. “Maybe it’s time that you’re free to fuck whomever you want.” She sliced her gaze toward the door and added, “Same for me.”