“No, Molly,” I grate, feeling my patience with her fly out the window. “It’s a great opportunity for him as a brand-new instructor, and I knew he wouldn’t even consider going if he knew I was going… so, I left that part out. No harm.”

“Stone…”

“Molly…” I retort.

“He hightailed it right the fuck out of that bar Friday night after being around you for five minutes. How the hell do you think he’s going to react when he sees you there… accepting an award?”

“Mind your business. Jesus. How the fuck does Julian put up with your nosy ass?”

“Wow. I haven’t seen you this touchy in a long time. You need to get laid.”

I choke on the gulp of Sprite I just took. “Molly!”

“What?! I’m just saying. You’d probably be a lot happier.”

“Honey, leave the poor man alone.” Julian’s giant frame strolls into the kitchen, with another man trailing behind him. He looks familiar. I’m sure we’ve met before. They’re both in their leathers, probably just getting home from a ride.

“Thank you, Julian,” I reply with a smirk.

“Stone, you remember my buddy, Mak.”

Ah, that’s right. His club’s vice president. “Sure do. Hey,” I offer with a nod.

“Hey, man. How ya been?”

“Not too bad. Yourself?”

“Pretty good. Tiny and I just got back from a nice, long ride. The weather is perfect today.”

My brother-in law’s road name is Tiny, and that always cracks me up, since he’s the furthest thing from that.

“You staying for dinner, Mak?” Molly asks.

“Fuck yeah, girl. You know I love your cooking.”

Molly laughs, stirring the meat. “Don’t get too excited. It’s only tacos.”

“Shit, that don’t matter.” He laughs.

“Mak, want a drink?” Julian asks from the wet bar.

“Yeah, whiskey, please.”

Julian looks from him to me. “What about you? Another drink?”

“Yup. Thanks.”

I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone, unlocking it, and already knowing what I’m doing before I even do it. I’m on autopilot, doing the same shit I do every fucking day, no matter how pathetic and creepy it is.

He’s the top search on my Instagram. I don’t even have to try to find him. He hasn’t posted anything on his feed lately, but his stories are full of him and his day-to-day life. Just like every other day, he started his morning at the pool.

He took a selfie of him dripping wet, probably fresh out of the water. His hair is soaked and slicked back, thick, dark eyelashes coated with droplets, and his bright white smile is carefree and genuine.

He never smiles like that around me now. Why would he?