upper thighs. She looked better in tight jeans and a modern crisscross top that showed a lot of her significant cleavage.
“But I thought you were with War—” Her ice-blue eyes widening, she glanced at Bryan, obviously noting the two sodas. “Aren’t you exclusive with him anymore?”
My hands curled into fists at my sides. “That’s none of your business.”
I really didn’t want to get into any specifics of my relationship with War. Whatever I told her was likely to cost me, as in her having the opening she needed to pursue him. She was already after Bryan, not even hesitating to approach him with me standing right beside him.
“I’m Chad.” He stretched out his long arm. His wingspan was impressive, which the college scouts were excited about, as well as his shooting percentage.
Missy shook his hand, his engulfing hers, then tilted her head back to meet his gaze like I had to the first time I met him. Dressed in a white oxford button-down, jeans, and suede chukka boots, there was a lot of him to take in.
“Chad Phillips.” She licked her thickly glossed lips. “First-string varsity on the basketball team. I know you. I’ve seen you around school in your letterman jacket.”
“I’ve seen you too. Impossible not to. You’re so pretty.”
What the hell? I shifted to look at Chad, but he was so totally into her, he didn’t even notice me. Did she have magical pheromones or something?
“Thank you,” she said, her voice husky as she batted her sooty lashes at him.
“You’re welcome.” He stared at her like he wanted to skinny-dip in her blue gaze.
I rolled my eyes.
“The movie’s about to start,” I said. Moving my popcorn to my side, I freed up one of my hands and poked Chad in the side.
“Ow,” he said, releasing her. The pheromone spell broken, he rubbed his side as he frowned at me. “That hurt.”
I’d meant it to. How could he drool over her when he knew how I felt about her?
“Better get your snacks.” I stamped my hand to my hip and swiveled back to face her. “As you can see, we’re busy. You should go back to your date. He looks a little put out that you’re not, you know, putting out.”
Her eyes narrowed. “He’s not my date. We’re just friends.”
“Yeah, I know,” I said cattily. “You have a lot of those.”
“Sadly, yes. They never seem to get over me. Once they have a taste, they keep coming back for more.” She lifted her chin and gave me a withering glare. “War and Bry both, but then apparently you know all about it.”
I knew that I wanted to claw those ice-blue eyes out of her head.
“Lace, hey.” Bryan put his arm around me, and his touch smoothed the bristles. “Let’s go see the movie. Eat some popcorn.” He turned me away from her. “’Bye, Missy,” he said, dismissing her without looking directly at her.
“I don’t like her,” I grumbled.
“That’s obvious.” His voice was funny. Glancing at him, I saw that he was amused. “It’s not funny, Bry.”
“It is, Lace. It’s cute that you’re jealous of her. But I mean, c’mon.” He shrugged a thickly muscled shoulder. “She’s okay, but she’s not even in your league. No guy is going to look at her twice, let alone choose her, if his other option is you.”
My previous irritation drained away. “You truly think so?”
“I know so.”
“Thank you.” My lips curving, I shook my head at him.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked.
“I had an awful day. Bombed the SAT. Nearly got into it just now with my ex-boyfriend’s side piece.” Bryan’s too, unfortunately. “But somehow, despite all that, you managed to make me feel better.” I let out a breath and then gave him a little more truth. “In all my worst moments, you’ve made a difference just by being there.”
“Anything for you, Lace,” he said softly, and I wished with all my heart that were true.
I didn’t want just any guy to choose me.
I wanted Bryan to.
Lace
“Thanks for the ride, man,” Bryan said to Chad, leaning in the open window on my side of the truck.
“No problem. It was fun. Let’s do it again. Soon.”
“Absolutely.” Bryan tipped his chin to me. “Lace, you wanna come up? See my mom and say hi to my sisters?”
My eyes brightened. “Sure, but . . .” Conflicted, I turned to Chad with the question in my eyes, and he waved me off.
“Go ahead. I’m beat. Sugar coma from too much candy. Just