Avoiding Temptation (Avoiding #3)(68)

The driver pulled up to Central Park at East Seventy-Second Street and Fifth Avenue, and all four of them piled out. Chyna told the driver that they wouldn’t need him until later in the evening, and she would have Adam call to let him know when to return. As the driver left them behind, they walked down the well-lit entrance into the park.

Chyna and Adam took the lead, and Lexi fell into step beside John. The park was pretty deserted at this time of night, and it made Lexi anxious, even on the lighted paths. She had heard horror stories of people getting abducted in the park. Thinking about that just then did nothing to ease her anxiety.

“So, I didn’t know you worked with Marco,” Lexi said lightly.

“I’m sure there’s quite a bit you don’t know about me,” John said. His answering smile was brilliant. It lit up his whole face.

“That’s probably true,” she said, averting her eyes back to the path in front of her. “Like who the person is that is feeding you information about me. You always seem to know something…”

“Like the Bridges Enterprise event tonight,” John said offhand.

“Wait—what?” Lexi asked, turning to face him.

“There’s some event for the upper-level employees of the whole company. I think, primarily, it’s a big schmooze to pat themselves on the back. I’m a little surprised that you’re not there.”

Lexi stared up at him, stunned. Had Ramsey ever mentioned this to her? She couldn’t remember. The worst part was that it was entirely possible that he had, and she had brushed it off. She didn’t want to go to things if Bekah would be around. Not to mention, this week was Jack and Bekah’s wedding anniversary. It made her stomach twist, thinking about it, and she hadn’t wanted to be in town for the occasion. She had been pretty desperate to get out of Atlanta, so she must have just missed Ramsey telling her about this because he certainly wouldn’t have held this back. This was a big thing to hold back.

“You did know about it, right?” John probed.

“Yeah…I guess I just forgot,” she lied.

“Anyone ever tell you that you’re a terrible liar?” John raised his eyebrows.

“Plenty of people.”

“I was surprised to find you here since that was going on. I thought your boyfriend would have wanted you there.”

“Don’t talk about him. I’m sure Ramsey told me about it. I’ve just been busy, and I had this trip planned already…” She trailed off as his smile grew. “What?”

“You always defend him.”

“He’s my boyfriend.”

“And he’s pretty shitty at the job.”

“I don’t know why you have such a negative opinion of your boss,” she spat back.

“He’s not my boss. I work for Global, and right now, I work with Jessica. Bridges Enterprise just happens to be a client of Global.”

“Now, who’s acting defensive?”

John chuckled. “You’re beautiful when you’re feisty.”

That wasn’t the first time she had heard that either.

“Um…thanks,” she said, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

At least he didn’t know that was her telltale sign of anxiety.

With a smirk, he pushed the other strand behind her ear for her. “No need to be nervous, babe.”

She gaped at him. What the hell? How did he know that? She had not been around him enough for him to know little things like that.

John shook his head and laughed again at her reaction. “Give me some credit, babe. I pay attention.”

“It’s been a year since I broke things off. I don’t know what you’re up to, but you have to stop,” she whispered.

She didn’t want Chyna and Adam to overhear the conversation or the earnestness in her voice. John hadn’t been pursuing her like she had expected him to. If he didn’t know so much about her all the time, she would say he had given up. But the gleam in his eyes and that cocky smile told her otherwise. She was a challenge. In fact, she had set forth the challenge for him, and he was trying to meet it. It clearly didn’t matter whether or not she wanted him to continue because he was going to anyway.

“I’ll stop when your heart doesn’t skip a beat when you see me,” he told her confidently.

Lexi opened her mouth to argue with him, but Adam cut them off. “Hey, you two. Come on.”

They had reached the Bethesda Fountain in the center of the park. It was a gorgeous display. Two giant staircases led up to a bridge that overlooked the fountain area. The bridge had seven lit archways underneath it that opened out to the fountain with the famous Angel of the Waters statue atop it. Depicted as a beautiful angel, the statue represented the blessing of the pool and its healing capabilities as referenced from the Gospel of John. Past the fountain, the bricked walkway opened up to a lakefront view. During the day, the area would typically be filled with families and couples rowing about on rented paddleboats.

“It’s so beautiful at night,” Lexi murmured, following Chyna and Adam to the lakefront.

“It’s perfect,” Chyna said.

A light breeze rustled Chyna’s black hair off her face, and she smiled up at her handsome boyfriend. They looked picture-perfect in that moment. John came to stand next to Lexi, and even though there were a lot of unanswered questions, they shared a moment where they were both happy for Chyna and Adam. Lexi had always wanted her best friend to be with someone who treated her like Adam did. Despite the differences between Chyna and John, he seemed pretty happy that his brother was so in love.