Free Wrapped in Lace by Prescott Lane

bar.
    “Drew Landon,” Davis answered for me.
    Matt’s face lit up as he finally spotted Drew across the bar. “Damn, Drew Landon, haven’t seen him in years.” He took Sabrina’s hand. “Come on, sugar. You’ve got to meet Drew. He was my best friend in high school.” They got up and started towards the other side of the bar.
    Davis took the seat beside me, placing his hand on top of mine. He really was the picture of a clean-cut politician with his freshly shaven face and perfectly cut black hair, his brown eyes looking so trustworthy. “Is there something going on with you and Drew? You can tell me.”
    “I hope so. I don’t know.”
    “You’re still my date for New Year’s, right?” Davis asked.
    “Of course.”
    “Does Drew know that?” Davis glanced at Drew across the bar. “Because it looks like it might be a problem. We can call off our little arrangement anytime, you know. This was never supposed to be serious or keep you from seeing other people.”
    “I know that.”
    “Does Drew know about our arrangement?” Davis asked, picking at the label of his beer bottle.
    “No, of course not.”
    “Ok, just give me a heads up if you tell him.”
    I nodded that I would. Davis started talking about the New Year’s party, but I couldn’t pay him any mind. All my attention was centered on Drew. As much as I wanted to keep my eyes on anything else, I couldn’t help but look over at him. He was smiling and laughing with Matt. It seemed like they’d fallen right back into their friendship, and God help me, he looked so good, so happy. I could feel his energy fifteen feet away. Sabrina looked my way and gave me a thumbs-up in her not-so-subtle way, which caused Drew to flash me that smile that melted my panties every damn time.
    Davis waved his hand in front of my face. “Piper?”
    “Sorry,” I said weakly, turning my eyes back to Davis.
    Davis cupped my face in his hands. “You all right? Drew’s got some baggage to work through.”
    I hadn’t considered that they knew each other. Sometimes I forgot I was living in Small Town, USA. I wasn’t sure if I should ask what Davis knew that I obviously didn’t. After all, if Drew wanted me to know, he’d tell me. But my curiosity got the better of me. “What do you mean?”
    Drew slipped his body right between me and Davis. “You ready to get out of here yet?” he asked, his voice a low, hungry growl.
    “Drew Landon, I heard you were back in town,” Davis said and patted his back.
    Drew took my hand, helping me up before sliding his arm around my waist. “Just visiting for the holidays. And. . . .” He flashed me that sexy little grin of his, and I felt my cheeks flush.
    “How long you staying?” Davis asked when it was clear Drew wasn’t going to continue.
    “New Year’s Eve, I think.”
    I felt my heart sink a little bit. Of course I knew Drew was only visiting for the holidays, but hearing it out loud caused my heart to ache. I was letting myself get carried away with him. He wasn’t staying in McAdenville. In fact, he seemed utterly miserable here. The only place our relationship was going was a one-way trip to a broken heart. “Thanks for the talk, Davis.”
    “Anytime, you know that.” He leaned over and kissed my cheek. I felt Drew’s hand tighten around my waist. “Just let me know about New Year’s,” he whispered before stepping back. “Nice to have you back in town, Drew.”
    “Good to be back. There’s a few things I’ve missed.” He leaned down and kissed the top of my head.
    Davis smiled and patted my arm. “Take care of her. She’s special,” he said before he walked off.
    “You two seem close,” Drew said, turning me to him.
    “We are.”
    “How close?” he asked, not trying at all to hide the jealousy in his voice.
    “What are you asking me?”
    “You know what I’m asking.”
    “Davis is a close friend.”
    “A friend with benefits?”
    I squeezed my hands together, wishing I could hit