Shattered Rose (Winsor Series) - By T L Gray Page 0,19

have paired up this outfit, I had to admit it looked pretty good when I put it on. I wore my hair down, with a small braid in front to keep it over to the side. Maybe a new guy was exactly what I needed too. Jake obviously wasn’t interested, and there was no reason to continue to pine over something that was never going to happen.

Issy and I walked into Sammy’s and immediately spotted our dates. They were both cute, but in that “I look like a member of a boy band” kind of way. Issy had staked claim to Pete on the way over, so that meant I had the one named Bobby. He seemed alright, nicely dressed and stood up when we got to the table. Neither of them held a candle to Jake, though, and I knew it within the first five minutes.

We ordered our food and Bobby started talking about school. He was in his second year of law school and felt the need to explain the meaning of torques and how civil and criminal law differed. I was amazed at his ability to continue talking without so much as a breath. It was almost fascinating to me, and I wondered how many different, interested faces I could make for him before he took a break. I had made it up to number seven, when his hand on my leg brought me screeching back to reality.

“You’re an amazing listener,” Bobby said in a sultry voice as he started to lean in.

I suddenly felt my stomach turn and stood up to excuse myself to the bathroom. I got to the mirror and reapplied my lip gloss. How was it possible a person could be that boring? I had no idea how I was going to make it through the rest of the evening, but friend status required I stay, as Issy was in full flirt mode with Pete and had scowled at me every time she saw me looking at my watch.

I walked back to the table and sat down as Bobby moved his chair closer to mine and put his arm around the back of it. I subtly scooted away and asked him another question about his classes in the sweetest voice possible. It was a toss up which was worse, his hands on me or his constant blabbering.

The check finally arrived, and I couldn’t wait to get out of there. I leaned over to grab my purse off the chair when I saw Jake walk in the door, and he wasn’t alone. Standing next to him was a beautiful brunette with long straight hair and a perfect body. She was stunning, no question. I immediately turned my head to try and focus on anything else in the room as I heard Issy say, “Oh God, here comes Jake. Boys, be on your best behavior!”

In a flash, she was out of her chair and giving Jake a big hug. “When did you get back in town?” she asked innocently.

He looked at the three of us at the table and without acknowledging any of us, turned back to her. “What are you doing with these guys. They are way too old for you.” He had grabbed Issy’s arm tightly and was pulling her away from the table. His date stood there awkwardly, unsure of where to go. I was staring at her, as subtly as I could, comparing each of her assets with mine and was sadly coming up short.

Issy jerked her arm away. “Jake, back off. I’m not a kid.” She grabbed her bag and headed out the door. Pete cleared his throat and took off after her.

Meanwhile, I was living out my worst nightmare. We were all frozen in painful silence until my date asked, “You ready?” and we politely excused ourselves. I peeked over my shoulder on our way out the door and made eye contact with Jake for just a second. He looked furious, and I quickly turned back around.

I couldn’t wrap my head around the difference between him now and the other night. Issy was right. I got a small glimpse of Jake, but that was it. The caring, affectionate guy I fell for was gone and this other person was there instead. It felt tragic.

In the parking lot, Issy was back to her old self, hugging and kissing Pete with full abandonment. I could have sworn she was upset, but you’d never know it from her charming smile and excitement.