I glance up in confusion, and am met with a pair of stormy gray eyes.

This is the first time I’ve seen Jace in anything other than athletic clothes, and I’m struck by how ridiculously attractive he looks in a simple pair of faded jeans and a cotton t-shirt, standing in the wide opening in the wall between the dining room and the packed living room.

He shifts his piercing gaze from me to appraise the rest of the room, keeping his expression cool and detached. Despite his calm demeanor, the guys surrounding me shift nervously as he looks around the crowded table. Two girls hover behind him. One is a petite blonde, and the other is slim with long black hair.

“Nice of you to finally grace us with your presence, Dawson.” Anderson bravely breaks the awkward silence that’s descended over the room since Jace entered.

“Looks like he had his hands full,” Owens comments next to me, causing a few snickers around the table. My stomach twists uncomfortably.

Jace doesn’t respond to their teasing, but shifts his intense gaze back to me. I meet his stare defiantly, recalling Anderson’s blunt declaration that Jace didn’t want me here. He certainly isn’t acting happy to see me, and I feel an extra surge of irritation as I recall all the solo runs I’ve taken lately. Since he made me accustomed to his presence, the very least he could do was continue to show up.

“Come on, Jace. You said we were getting some drinks,” the dark-haired girl finally says after another stretch of glaring silence. Jace is still watching me, so I hide the burst of annoyance I experience at the sound of her sultry voice.

“Go get them without me.” Jace’s tone is short.

“Don’t you want anything?” the girl persists. “I can just grab—”

“I’m fine.” Jace doesn’t bother to hide his irritation.

Both girls linger for a moment longer, clearly hoping Jace will change his mind. However, he just continues standing there stoically, so they both slink off into the kitchen. The darker-haired girl lets out an annoyed little huff as they exit the room. Jace doesn’t seem to notice.

Everyone around the table remains silent, seemingly waiting to see what Jace will do. I decide to take matters into my own hands. First, I take another fortifying sip of my drink, and then I lay down my royal flush. The move elicits several groans from the group.

“Oh, did you boys think I was bluffing?” I ask with a cheeky grin.

That finally breaks the thick tension in the room, and banter resumes around the table. I keep my gaze firmly fixed on the table. I don’t see Jace move, but I suddenly hear his voice.

“Owens, can you go check on the beer supply? See if someone needs to make a run.”

“I’m actually quite happy with my spot right here. How about you go check it, Dawson? I hear you’re wanted in the kitchen anyway.”