Chapter 22

“What business could you two possibly have tonight?” I asked, bitterly. The sarcasm in my voice couldn’t fully mask the hurt and anger that were threatening to explode.

He sighed, “This is about the surprise for tomorrow.”

I scoffed, “Surprise? Yeah, and I’m hating it already.” The bitter taste of disbelief lingered in my mouth. “Spare me, Jake. I haven’t had a Ph.D., but I’m not that naive.”

“Cassie,” his tone took a scolding turn, his brows furrowing in frustration, and his eyes darkening with distaste, and I felt suddenly unease by his expression. “You don’t listen. This isn’t sneaking around like what you have in that brain. You’re blowing things out of proportion.” His jaw clenched, and the anger in his eyes flared.

“Out of proportion? How do you think this looks, Jake? You with her, and you expect me to believe it’s all innocent?”

He groaned, a frustrated exhale escaping him as he turned to see inside the bar. “You’re being irrational. When I say it’s business, it's business. Do