If We Dare - J.H. Croix Page 0,4

it,” I called, holding the bracelet aloft.

When I straightened, Jade, who didn’t smile very often, graced me with a beauty. Her lips curled at the corners as her smile unfurled and her eyes tilted. “Wow! You found it.”

Stepping back to the edge of the dumpster, I handed it to her before resting one hand on the edge and hopping over to land on the pavement beside her. Jade spun the bracelet in a circle in her hands, still smiling. This time when her gaze met mine, it was almost shy. “That was really sweet, Walker.”

Oh hell. “Sweet” was not an adjective I was usually labeled with. I felt an unbidden smile tugging up the corners of my mouth.

“Well, now I owe you three times. Don’t argue the point,” she said quickly when I opened my mouth to do exactly that.

I did the craziest thing next. “Actually, if you insist, I do have a favor I could use some help with.”

“Anything.”

“I have to go to a wedding, and I could use a date.” I couldn’t believe I actually said that, but the words were out, so there was no going back.

For the second time in my experience, Jade’s mouth fell open. After an electrifying moment of silence, she asked, “A date?”

Maybe I hadn’t thought too much about this, or not at all, but I wasn’t one to back down. “Yep. A date.”

She rested a hand on her hip. “Is this a joke?”

I shook my head slowly, a plan materializing in my brain. “Definitely not. Next weekend. A good friend of mine is getting married, and I’d rather not go solo.” Just as I began to think that I didn’t want to have to explain why to Jade, her question sliced through the pause.

“And why not? You’re not exactly the kind of man who can’t handle a wedding on his own.”

I decided right then and there that I was going to dive into this insanity. I had an itch to scratch, a quite specific itch. She could be my date for the weekend, and we could burn this fire between us to ashes.

If I had to explain why, then so be it. “Look, it’s one of my best buds. I was going to go without a date and say fuck it all, but my ex is going to be there.”

“You have an ex?” Jade interjected, arching a brow so high, I was surprised it didn’t fly off her forehead.

“Yes. I have an ex. We broke up because she screwed around on me with my best friend’s brother. I’m not sure what’s up, but she’s been texting and calling lately. I get the idea she wants another chance. I’d rather her not get any ideas,” I said flatly. I didn’t feel much of anything about it and was more than glad to close the door on that whole mess. It was just I preferred not to have any pitying gazes cast my way during the wedding, and I definitely preferred my ex to consider me off-limits. It would be easier to convey that message if she thought I was dating someone.

Several things flashed through Jade’s eyes, ending with them narrowing in anger. “Oh, that’s not cool. I’m guessing the brother will be at the wedding.”

I nodded. “Yeah. It’s his family. I’m well over my ex, before you worry that’s what this is about. But, I’d prefer for her to leave me alone.”

“I’m your girl,” Jade said, nodding vigorously.

“Okay then. Sounds like we have a plan. Can you handle a long weekend out of town—three days?”

“I’ll make sure I can. I’ll be the best date you ever had, and I’ll make her feel like the cheating bitch she is.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Tell me where to pick you up. It’s next weekend.”

“Here, let me give you my number. Just text me the details. I’ll rearrange my schedule and you’ll have me.” When she said it that way, every cell in my body thought having her would be perfect. “By the way,” Jade continued, her voice cutting through my train of thought. “I would’ve done this even if you hadn’t saved my ass from that fool and then gotten me out of the dumpster and found my bracelet. It’s just the principle, you know?”

“Oh, I do.”

After I entered Jade’s number in my phone, I watched as she strolled back into the bar. Her cowboy boots struck on the gravel with each step and her hair swung at her waist. Electricity sizzled up my spine.