Page 81 of Dreadful

“A family trait.” His arm stretches along the back of the booth behind me, fingers finding the ends of my hair.

“You could’ve called. Or, I don’t know, asked to come with.”

“But this is more fun, baby girl.” His fingers twist a strand of my hair around his index finger and tug gently.

My breath catches before I can stop it.

Lola stands at the end of the table, looking from me to Cruz.

Her brows arch. So this is new.

News to me too. Just ignore it.

“Okay,” she drags out. “I guess I’ll sit over here then.”

“Holy shit—Cruz?” Ryder says. “Good to see you, man.”

Cruz finally looks at him.

“Ryder Mercer,” Ryder says, pointing to himself. “I used to run around with Gage—and Bellamy—back in the day.”

“Mercer—shit, man. Heard you left town after school. You back now?”

“Yeah.” Ryder taps two fingers against the tabletop. “I’m over at the base in Westhaven.”

Cruz gives him a nod before turning his attention right back to me.

“So.” His fingers trace a slow path up the ridge of my spine before sinking into the soft hair at my nape. “What are we doing so far outside Hollow Beach? My brothers are going to love hearing about this little date of yours.”

A shiver works its way across my shoulders before I deliberately relax into his hand.

“It’s not a date,” all three of us say at once.

“Hello, I’m right here,” Lola drawls.

“It’s a meeting about a job,” I tell him.

Cruz’s hand slides from my nape to my thigh beneath the table, fingers curling around it before he pulls me across the few inches separating us until my side is flush with his.

Amusement pops like bubbles underneath my skin.

Ryder leans forward and drops his voice to a low murmur. “Actually, I’m glad you’re here. I think there’s real opportunity here, man.”

I look at Ryder.

Cruz’s fingers tighten around my thigh.

My lips twitch.

Oh, he is absolutely jealous.

I turn my head toward him.

His expression gives me nothing, but his hand is still wrapped around my leg.

“Hm. Is that right, baby girl?” he asks, pitching his voice lower. “Is there an opportunity here?”

I’m probably enjoying this more than I should.