“You are,” he counters, his voice low, teasing. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you actually like looking at me.”

I roll my eyes. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

But the way his lips curve tells me he doesn’t believe me. Worse, I don’t believe myself.

“Maybe I just wanted to make sure you were okay. You know . . .”

“I’m fine. Good to go. Never better.”

“And of course when you say it like that, I’m supposed to believe it.” We walk a few more feet and I tug on his arm looped through mine. “Jase?”

He stops and sighs heavily. It takes a second for him to meet my eyes and when he does, I can see the reluctance in them. “There are times when a man needs some grace, Cookie, and today was one of those times.”

I nod, my bottom lip worrying between my teeth. “I’m worried about you is all.”

“I know. And I’m sorry that I did that to you. That I made you worry and doubt and question why the fuck you said yes to this.” His smile is a flash of apology.

“No. Yes.” I chuckle. “Maybe. My own past didn’t help the situation.”

“I’m okay. I promise you that I am.”

“What happ—” I wave a hand at him as he smiles at someone passing by. “Never mind. It’s not my business to pry.”

“Look, I had some unexpected news about a family member that threw me. It wasn’t the first time I got news like that, and I’m certain it won’t be the last. It just knocked me off my feet for a bit. I called Vince. He picked me up. We had a few drinks. Got it out of my system. It’s over and done with, tucked back away, okay?”

“Okay,” I say. I’ve had a whole day to stew on where he went and with whom, and even though I could feel hurt and angry, I’ve tried to remind myself that our lives are not intertwined forever. Down the track, even in five years’ time, today won’t matter. It’s a blip on this temporary radar. And I can deal with it.

He leans forward and brushes a kiss on my lips. I’m sure it’s for show but like most of his kisses, this one makes me melt a little. I’m wiser to what this is, but he’s still a damn good kisser. I’ve also realized I’m happy to be his friend. A real friend.

“You could have called me,” I whisper. “I would have been there for you, no questions asked.”

His eyebrows narrow ever so slightly as our eyes hold and before he can respond, a statuesque blonde in a dangerously low-cut black dress approaches us. She offers Jase a sultry smile but completely ignores my existence.