Page 158 of For Better or Hearse

Nathaniel sees her expression and tightens his hold on her.

Jakob. He’s walking toward her, coming from the pool bar. Her stomach dips, knots, flames.

No fucking way.

The bright smile on his face confuses her, pisses her off. Reminds her that he’s a forever gaslighter. Reminds her of the text he sent her two weeks after she ended things. The message that said “can we be cool?”

The fucking audacity.

Quickly, she stands. The last thing she wants is for Jakob to get the wrong idea and sit down. Nathaniel follows suit. He pulls up alongside her. Tall, towering. She’s vaguely aware he’s moved closer to her, his warm palm splayed over the small of her back. His shoulder-to-shoulder solidarity a welcome comfort.

She looks up at him. He’s already watching her.

Suddenly, the adrenaline, the anger tearing through her like a cyclone, just…

Quiets.

Every lawless emotion inside her has turned off. All she feels is nothing. Nathaniel’s presence cancels out Jakob. Every little awful thing he ever did to her, all the ways he made her feel bad…gone.

It’s all just gone.

He’s just Jakob, and she’s just Ash. They no longer exist in the same universe.

“Ash! How the hell are you?” Jakob comes to a stop in front of her. The dimple in his cheek deepens as he smiles, then rocks back on his heels. “I saw the hair, and I knew that was you.”

“Jakob,” she says, making herself smile. “Hi.”

“Holy shit. I don’t believe this. It’s so good to see you.” His gaze skims her body for a second too long, then bounces back to her face.

Beside her, Nathaniel stiffens.

“You look phenomenal,” Jakob says. He drags a hand down his smooth jaw. “Jesus. I mean, really, really great. I swear, you’ve never looked better than you do right now.”

Because of Nathaniel.

Keeping her well fucked and well loved.

“Thanks, I just got back from Hawaii.” She looks up. “This is Nathaniel. He’s my—”

“Boyfriend,” he cuts in, causing something warm and gooey to flutter in her stomach. Nathaniel’s upper lip curls. “And you must be Jakob.”

His cold, stern tone, the steel posture of his body say it all. He knows about Jakob and is unimpressed.

Jakob looks taken aback, but he recovers quickly. He nods. “Nice to meet you, man.”

When Nathaniel doesn’t return the sentiment, her ex turns his attention back to her. She tries not to feel smug when he zeroes in on their linked fingers, the way Nathaniel has her hand cupped in his and held at his ribs.

Ash dares herself to ask. “How’s Keleigh?”

Her ex drags an almost-sheepish hand through his hair. “I, uh, wouldn’t know. We ended things last year.”

“Oh.” She grits her teeth against the smug smile that wants to take over her face. “Sorry to hear it.”

Jakob extends a hand. Touches her elbow.

In her periphery, she can see Nathaniel’s face tightening. He looks murderous.

“So what’s new in your world?” Jakob asks. “You still doing your little side businesses?”