because she’s secluded you from living life.”
“She said you’d do this,” he blurts out, his hands clenching. “She even knew you’d cheat on me, said it the moment I told her about you.”
“I’ve never cheated on you,” she shouts, throwing a clump of clay at him, splattering it all over his T-shirt. “Are you even listening to yourself or hearing what I’m saying?”
“Please, take a deep—”
“Shut up!” James and Louise yell at Claire.
“You know what, I don’t have to listen to this,” Louise snaps, ripping her apron off. She grabs her bag, stopping in front of James. “We’re over.”
“Did not see that coming,” I mumble, watching her storm out.
James sits there for a second, dumbfounded. Once it all hits him, he’s up so fast he nearly trips over his own feet, catching himself on the station beside him.
“Apron,” Claire yells at him.
He pauses, ripping it over his head before continuing to chase after Louise. “Louise! Wait! I’m sorry. We can get through this. I’ll do anything. Please, Louise.”
I glance down at the mess in front of me, sighing. “I guess it’s safe to say I’m not an artist.”
“Really?” the lady next to me snaps.
“What is your problem, or are you always this friendly?” I snap back.
“You’ve just broken up a relationship and you didn’t even blink. Instead, you comment on your model,” she tells me sharply. “Which, by the way, is terrible.”
I can’t argue with her there. It’s just a heap of crap. However, who is she to comment?
“Puh-lease, they were bound to break up eventually. I just sped it along. And shouldn’t you be glad that you don’t have to listen to them argue anymore?”
Her scorching gaze has me chuckling, and when I turn to Clayton, his shoulders are shaking from silent laughter.
“What?”
“Your family were right about you. You cause chaos everywhere you go.”
“I really do, don’t I?”
A throat clears as Claire stands in front of our stations. She runs a hand over her apron, her neck flushed.
“I’m really sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”
“What, why?” I bellow. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”
“You’ve sucked the peace and serenity out of this room.”
“Come on, Hayden. Let’s go,” Clayton orders, struggling to keep his face straight.
“This is your fault. I was happy to stay in bed all day and have sex. But no, you had this big surprise,” I grumble.
“Please leave!” Claire squeaks, sweat beading on her forehead.
“We’re going,” Clayton assures her, picking up my belongings from under my station.
One of the other couples stands up, the guy turning to us. “Hey, sorry to be rude, but could you recommend another place for us to go next that isn’t so, um…”
“Dull? Boring?” I finish, smiling at the fear that flashes in his eyes when Claire turns to him.
“Yeah,” he replies, shoulders sagging.
“There’s a Bonza Bingo here. It’s basically a nightclub that you play bingo in to win prizes.”
“Ooh, I love bingo,” his girlfriend gushes.
“And I hear there’s a lot of great places to eat here,” Clayton adds.
“Thanks, mate,” he replies, reaching for his own stuff before following us out.
“Please tell me you have food on our plans today. I’m starving,” I admit, pushing through the exit.
Clayton chuckles, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. “Yes, our reservation is for five.”
“That’s hours away,” I whine. “It had better be good food.”
He presses a kiss to the side of my head. “I did some research before coming here. Comic Con isn’t the only reason I chose here. There’s a food place close by that offers different types of ethnic food that I knew you’d love.”
I lick my lips hungrily yet can’t help but feel butterflies in my stomach at how sweet his actions are. “That is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me. Can’t we go now?”
He grins as he pulls me into his arms, pressing his warm lips against mine. “No, because right now, all I want to do is get you naked. You have no idea how hot it was to watch your hands try to smooth over that clay.”
I squeeze my thighs together as I wrap my arms around his neck. “So what are you waiting for?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CLAYTON
It’s hard to keep a straight face as I carry Hayden out of the restaurant. I thought I knew her brand of crazy, thought I had become adept to it more over the past week, but I was wrong.
“I’m telling you, I will do it,” Hayden yells, making me chuckle as I let her down, pulling her away