Page 98 of The Bartender Special

“You cancelled because everyone is saying I’m still head over heels for Felicity and you’re effectively a stand-in with a dick.”

It was so matter-of-fact that Benny couldn’t help but be a bit impressed.

Especially since he was right.

He didn’t bother lying.

“That’s probably one of the nicer comments I saw before I put my phone down, yeah.”

Jack angled himself around more, knees, chest, and gaze now facing Benny.

His hand still had a glob of gel on it, but he made no move to use it.

He narrowed his eyes.

“I’m not head over heels for Felicity,” he said. “And you’re not trouble. I’m also not cornering myself anywhere.” Jack pointed to the window. “I, in fact, climbed in to this situation.”

Benny didn’t know what to say. Mostly, because he didn’t believe him.

The image of his smile directed at the beautiful woman on the boat was seared into his mind.

“You don’t believe me,” Jack deadpanned. “You think that one second caught on camera laughing means more than what I’m telling you now.”

Benny didn’t say anything again.

Jack seemed to give up. Or at least, push through with the reason he’d come.

He muttered something beneath his breath and rubbed the gel between his hands before setting his attention to Benny’s legs.

“This is that all-natural stuff,” he said. “Ms. Barbara gets the local market to order it in because she saw a documentary about chemicals in hand cream. You could eat this stuff if you wanted. Works better for sunburn though.”

Benny tensed but because Jack’s hands were warm, so was the salve.

Both spread across his thigh with ease, another palmful continuing to his shin.

“You don’t have to do this,” Benny reiterated. “I’m a big boy, you know.”

Jack snorted and went from spreading the gel to massaging it in.

He ignored the comment.

“Does this hurt?” he asked. “You’re not as hot as I thought you’d be. After going through the pics I realized I really should have put sunscreen on you myself.”

“Once again—not a child.”

Benny tried to wiggle away from the second helping meant for his other leg, but Jack grabbed his ankle to still him.

“Then sit still and accept this care without whining. If you need to, think of this as an apology for accidentally getting the internet’s panties in a twist.” He met Benny’s eye. There was a sincerity there.

Benny’s hurt didn’t just go away.

He did, however, relent.

“Fine. But you’re not allowed to tell anyone about this,” he decided.

Jack let go of his ankle and readjusted his position on the bed to get a better angle for Benny’s other leg. His usual snort turned into more of a chuckle as he started.

Benny didn’t mean to, but he felt a flash of pride for it.