Page 58 of Takeover
“No, he doesn't.Because you have me.”
"Thanks, Lance.That means a lot."
“Let me get a piece of cake, then I’ll get out of your hair,” he said.“On Sunday, we’ll do drinks then we're having our marathon."
"Yes.We're starting with the Van Damme movies."During my junior year of college, my boyfriend Michael had missed my birthday because he was traveling to see his parents, so Lance had cheered me up by bringing me vodka, mixers, and really bad action movies.That had to be one of my best birthdays ever.It had become sort of a standing tradition after that.
"You are surprisingly bloodthirsty,” he laughed.
I shrugged."What can I say?"
"Your thirst for blood is probably why I fell in love with you in the first place."
He said it like a joke.Like he always did.Except this time, it didn't feel really as much like a joke.An odd tension swirled around us, and I could see the thing that I tried to never look too hard at.Lance was gorgeous with his sandy brown hair, perpetual stubble, and soulful brown eyes.I should have wanted him, except we’d always been friends.And I needed our friendship.
Maybe too much.
"That should be a Van Damme title.Hard to love."
He gave me one of his easy smiles, and suddenly that awkward discomfort was gone.
At the door, he leaned in and hugged me just like usual, squeezing me tight, wrapping me in warmth and comfort, and I squeezed him back.
"Happy birthday.Please, go home and relax, would you?"
“Oh, don’t worry.I plan on making her do exactly that.”
Chapter23
Gwen
I released Lance automatically,but he didn’t let me go.
Atticus scowled at Lance’s arm that still hung around my shoulders."Hands off my wife."
Lance apparently had a death wish, because while he let me go, he turned to face Atticus, crossing his arms in front of him, blocking Atticus from my view."She’s not your wife,yet."
I swallowed hard and tried to push Lance out of the way, but he wouldn’t budge.
Atticus’s eyes narrowed, and I could see the barely leashed control in the tension of his shoulders.I knew he was seconds away from exploding, and I didn't want to witness the aftermath.
Atticus stepped closer, his eyes on Lance, "I suggest you walk away, Lakewood."There was an edge to his voice that made me shiver.
We were not having this pissing contest on my fucking birthday.“That’s enough, Atticus.Lance and Morgan just came by to wish me a happy birthday.”
But neither of them was listening to me.
Lance smirked."Is that a threat, Price?"
Atticus didn't answer.Instead, he stepped even closer to Lance, and the tension crackled around us, spitting out little spikes of electricity.It was like watching two animals circling each other, waiting to see who would make the first move.
Fuck that.I still had work to do, and it was going to be tough getting blood out of this carpet.
"Lance, it’s okay.I’m fine.I’ll see you later."
Atticus's voice was low and menacing.“That’s right.Off you go,Lance.”
Lance smirked, looking back at me."I’ll see you Sunday," he said as he brushed past Atticus and sauntered lazily down the hallway.
