Free Blue Persuasion by Blakely Bennett

damnedest to suppress a smile. “Does that mean you’ve been grilled by everyone?”
    “You didn’t answer my question. Everyone but Sam.”
    “Bond is the one who brought most of us together. He thinks it’s his job to look after the group.” I took a sip from my cider and slowly set it on the counter, all the while maintaining our eye lock.
    “Again, no answer. Clearly, more than you want to let on.” He stood up straight and took a swallow of his beer.
    “What makes you think Bond’s grilling has anything at all to do with me? We’re all friends and have been for a long time.”
    “He asked about my intentions.” He dipped his head, his long hair falling forward, and yet his eyes remained glued to mine.
    “I’ll kill him.” I shook my head. “I told him there was no potential between us.”
    He raised his right eyebrow. “You and Bond?”
    “Oh my god, no. You and me.”
    “I see.”
    “Is it always going to be this way?” I blurted out.
    “What way?”
    “Difficult. What is it about me? I saw you with Sam. You smiled and actually laughed. With me, you just have this pinched, gruff expression, like I stepped on your insole.”
    Then he laughed and I knew he was laughing at me.
    Great!
    He continued his relentless stare. Just as soon as his laughter subsided, the groove right above his nose returned, as did the downturn of his lips.
    “What!”
    “Later.” He finally looked away and for a moment, I felt vindicated until I realized that Bond and Red stood next to me.
    “Coming outside?” Bond asked as he retrieved two beers and a cider from the fridge. He placed the drinks on the counter and swept me up in a hug. “Not sure about him,” he whispered into my ear as he placed me back down.
    Glancing up, I saw a new expression on Tate’s face, this one more confusing than the rest. At a loss, I turned to Red who hugged me as well. “Jacqs is dying to talk to you.”
    Taking my cue, I grabbed my bottle of cider and headed toward the French doors, having to pass closely by Tate to get out. He touched my waist and in that moment, I knew he felt it too. Enough space existed between us. He did it on purpose. Before the night was out, I planned to confront his bullshit.
    Out back, I took a deep breath, allowing the warm wind to flow through my hair. Finally relaxed again, it wasn’t hard to see that Tate turned me into a stress ball, the exact opposite of what I was looking for. It was time for Tate to find another place to land. Fortunately, Bond seemed to be on the same page.
    Before I had a chance to greet everyone, Jacqs grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the swinging loveseat. “Tell me everything!” she said, rubbing her hands together.
    “There isn’t anything to tell. This was all Cat’s doing. He isn’t looking for a relationship, and he isn’t even remotely my type.”
    “What?” she practically yelled, throwing her hands up. “That man is undeniably hot and intelligent. What the hell is wrong with him?”
    “I seem to put him on edge, and not in a good way. Don’t you find him standoffish and aloof?”
    “No, not at all. He seemed really friendly up until the time Bond drilled him with questions.”
    “Well, he is with me. Don’t get attached, I have no plans of inviting him again.”
    Jacqs lowered her shoulders. “I had such high hopes. Oh well. Sorry, Blue.”
    “No worries at all. Men and me, we’ve got issues.”
    Jacqs laughed. “Nah, you just need to find the right one ... or two.”
    “You’re a right comedian, you are. One would be nice, but at some point I just have to be realistic.” I leaned back, watching Tate join our friends by the pool as the swing rocked.
    “That’s a load of crap. You’re still plenty young. It’s not like the 1800s where you would be considered a spinster.”
    “If you’re trying to make me feel better—” I kicked the ground so we continued to sway.
    “Me, I’d be considered a whore or a courtesan.”
    Tate glanced