Chapter 141
**Sara**
His smirk grew. "Right, of course not. We're just two consenting adults who occasionally engage in mutually satisfying physical activities."
"Exactly. So why would I be jealous of your 'friend' who looks like she just stepped off a Victoria's Secret runway?"
He chuckled. "Alright, alright. If you must know, Isabella and I did have a thing once. But it was just a one-night stand, nothing more."
"A one-night stand," I repeated flatly. "With legs for days and boobs that defy gravity."
"Hey, you're the one who said she looks like a Victoria's Secret model."
I rolled my eyes. "So what, you just happened to bump into your super-hot one-night stand outside the cafe?"
He shrugged. "It's a small world. These things happen."
"Right, and I'm sure she just wanted to catch up on old times. Totally platonic."
He sighed. "I'm not going to lie. Isabella and I had a... passionate night together. But that's all it was. One night. Ancient history."
"How ancient are we talking?" I asked, unable to stop myself. "Like, dinosaur ancient or 'last week' ancient?"
Tom winced. "Okay, maybe not quite dinosaur-ancient, but it was a few weeks ago."
I sat back in my seat, processing this information. "So, let me get this straight. You had a wild night with her, and now she just happens to show up while we're having coffee?"
"Pretty much, yeah."
"And you're telling me there's absolutely nothing going on between you two?"
He looked me straight in the eye. "I promise you, there's nothing between Isabella and me. It was one night, that's all."
I studied his face, looking for any sign of deception. But all I saw was sincerity... and maybe a hint of amusement at my obvious jealousy.
"Fine," I said finally. "I believe you. But if she shows up at your apartment in nothing but a trench coat, I reserve the right to say, 'I told you so.'"
He grinned. "Deal. Now, can we please go? We've given the people in the cafe enough of a show for one day."
I glanced over my shoulder to see a few curious faces peering out the window at us. Great, now we had an audience.
I turned back to Tom, who was fiddling with his keys like they held the universe's secrets. "So, what were you two chatting about for so long? Swapping beauty tips?"
"Yes. She was telling me all about her exfoliating routine. It's very thorough."
I rolled my eyes. "Come on, spill. What was so important that you had to leave me marinating in awkwardness for ten minutes?"
He sighed, finally looking up from his keys. "If you must know, we were discussing a drink party with my friends next week."
"A party?" I perked up. "That sounds fun. Is it like a fancy cocktail thing or more of a 'chug beer from a funnel' situation? Because I can rock either, I just need to know what shoes to wear."
"It's somewhere in between. Just a casual get-together with some friends. Nothing too wild."
"Uh-huh," I said, unconvinced. "And Miss Perfect was inviting you?"
"She was... informing me about it, yes."
I narrowed my eyes. There was something he wasn't telling me; I could feel it. "And that's all you talked about? For ten minutes?"
He shrugged. "We caught up a bit. Exchanged pleasantries. You know, normal stuff."
"Right. Normal stuff. Like how her dress seemed to be shrinking as you talked."
Tom's ears turned pink. " It wasn't like that."
I couldn't help but smirk. Watching Tom squirm was oddly satisfying. Maybe I was a little sadistic, but hey, he deserved it after leaving me to stew in my own jealousy juice for what felt like an eternity.
"Oh really?" I drawled, leaning back in my seat. "So what was it like then? A deep philosophical discussion on the meaning of life? Or maybe you were comparing notes on the stock market?"
He shot me a look that was half exasperation, half amusement. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"Who, me? Never," I said, batting my eyelashes innocently. "I'm just deeply invested in your social life. It's all for academic purposes, I assure you."
He shook his head, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "I hope my social life meets your rigorous academic standards."
He turned the key in the ignition, and the car purred to life. I snuck another peek at Tom as we drove away. Damn, he looked good behind the wheel. All confident and in control. It was doing things to me, things I definitely shouldn't be thinking about while we were supposed to be having a serious conversation.
"So," I said, feigning nonchalance, "this party. Is it a plus-one situation, or more of a 'flying solo' deal?"
His eyes flicked to me for a second before returning to the road. "Why? You offering to be my date?"
I scoffed, even as my heart did a little flip. "Please. I was wondering if I should start planning my outfit when you inevitably beg me to come with you."
"Oh, is that how it's gonna be?" He chuckled, navigating a turn with infuriating smoothness. "And what makes you think I'd want to bring you as my date?"
"Um, have you seen me?" I gestured to myself dramatically. "I'm a fucking delight."
He laughed outright at that, sending a shiver down my spine. "Can't argue with that logic."
We fell into a comfortable silence, the city sliding by outside the windows. I found myself watching Tom's hands on the steering wheel, remembering how those same hands had felt on my skin. This whole 'resist each other' challenge was going to be the death of me.
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