Page 61 of The Encounter
He walked to a door behind the bar. After opening it, he disappeared inside for a minute before reappearing with a stool that he placed next to the bar. Then he grabbed a second stool and sat it next to the first.
“Those two have an interesting relationship. They like to torment each other.”
Maddie looked at him guiltily. “Oh God. I’m not messing anything up for your business, right? They won’t quit on you because they have to work together?”
Jace laughed. “No. Don’t worry about it. You’ll get more of a glimpse of their dynamic at the Friendsgiving.”
20
Maddie arrived at Jace’s place, feeling like her heart would beat straight out of her chest. Haley and Seth were already inside, and somehow she felt more nervous meeting them officially at this dinner than she did meeting Jace for their first date.
When the elevator opened, laughter immediately drifted down the hallway from the living room. Roxy bounded over to her, wagging her tail, and nuzzled her face against Maddie’s leg. She reached down, balancing a tray of cookies in one hand while she pet Roxy with the other. Then she walked toward the living room, where the chatter continued.
She stepped into the living room and raised her hand in an awkward wave. Jace instantly jumped up and came over to her.
“Hey, doll. I didn’t even hear you come in,” he said. He took the tray from her hand and leaned over and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “These look delicious. Thank you for bringing them.”
“You’re welcome. It is nice to bake again. It’s been a while since I’ve done it.” She turned her attention to the other two in the room. “Hi.” She waved awkwardly again and mentally kicked herself.
Why was she acting so crazy? It wasn’t like she hadn’t met them before.
“Hey, Maddie,” Haley said, stepping forward and giving Maddie a hug. “It’s great to see you again.”
Seth stepped forward next and pulled her into a hug as well, surprising her. Even Haley raised an eyebrow at him. Jace only shrugged.
“Maddie! It’s great to officially meet you outside of the club.”
“It’s great to see you both again,” Maddie said.
Jace stepped away to put the cookies in the kitchen, leaving Maddie alone with his friends.
Seth stepped up next to her and threw an arm around her shoulders. “So Maddie, is it?”
Maddie furrowed her eyebrows. “Yes… Maddie it is.”
“How do I know your intentions with Jace are pure?”
Maddie choked on air. “Excuse me?”
“With Jace. How do I know you have good intentions? I need to make sure you’re right for my boy.”
Haley dramatically rolled her eyes. “Ignore him. He thinks he has a moral compass that points north, but he’s sorely mistaken.”
Seth smiled at Haley. “Oh, come on, Hail. You know I know my compass will always point south.” His eyes slid down Haley’s body, and he bounced his eyebrows up and down suggestively before meeting her eyes again.
Maddie raised her eyebrows, but clamped her mouth shut. This was one conversation she would not get involved in.
“If you think you’ll ever get this—” Haley gestured at her own body. “—you are delusional.”
Seth put a hand to his chest. “Baby, I get you in my dreams every night.”
Jace came back into the room at that moment and looked at the three of them. Seth still had an arm around Maddie, while Haley stood in front of them, glaring at Seth.
He raised an eyebrow. “So I see Maddie is getting a full dose of what the two of you are about.”
Haley put her hands on her hips, and Seth stepped away from Maddie.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Haley asked.
