I glance over at her.The tension radiates off her in waves, her hands clenched in her lap.The protective instinct that surges through me is inconvenient and undeniable.This was supposed to be simple—pretend to date her, make Luis back off.But the urge to keep her safe is becoming something else entirely.Without thinking, I reach over and cover her hand with mine.
“Hey.”I keep my voice steady.“As long as I’m here, he can’t touch you.”
Her fingers are cold under mine.“Do you really think he wants to hurt me?”The question hangs between us.I focus on the road, on Luis’s headlights still following two cars back.
“I don’t know,” I admit.“And we’re not going to find out.”
Her hand relaxes slightly under mine, and I flip her palm, interlacing our fingers.It’s just for comfort, but as I drive, one hand on the wheel, one locked with hers, I notice how she doesn’t pull away.
* * *
The restaurant is exactlythe kind of place that makes a statement.Soft lighting, expensive wine list, white tablecloths.I called in a favor with the owner—an old client who owed me one—and managed to snag a table on short notice.
“This is fancy,” Eve murmurs as the hostess leads us to our table.
“Only the best for my fake girlfriend.”
She shoots me a look, but there's a hint of a smile there.Progress.
We’re barely seated when I hear a familiar voice.
“Caleb?”I look up to find Natalie standing there, Ethan beside her.Of course.Ofcoursethis would happen.
“Don’t tell me you two are here to eat,” I say, leaning back in my chair.
“No, I just brought my fiancée here to look at the décor,” Ethan says dryly.
“Ethan, stop.”Natalie’s gaze shifts between Eve and me, her expression measured and curious.Her eyes narrow.“Are you two together?”
Eve looks frazzled, her mouth opening and closing without words coming out.
“Yes,” I say smoothly, reaching over to take Eve’s hand.
“I knew it,” Natalie says, satisfaction clear in her voice.“I knew Caleb liked you.”
Eve’s hand stiffens, and something twists in my chest.What is that supposed to mean?I don’t like Eve like that.We barely get along.We’re just good in bed, and we hang out in her apartment from time to time.And we eat together most nights.And I spend the weekends over at her place...That doesn’t mean I like her in that way.
“We should let them eat,” Ethan says, tugging at her hand.But his fiancée is already gesturing towards a server.
“Don't be silly.They should join us.We’re over there.”She points at a table in the back.Ethan’s reluctance is written all over his face, but he doesn’t say no.He never can when it comes to Natalie.
When the server she flagged down reaches us, she asks, “Can we get two chairs at our table so our friends can join us?”
The server quickly complies.
I catch Eve’s eye across the table.She looks as trapped as I feel, but she handles it with grace.“Sure that sounds fun.”As fun as pulling teeth out.
“So,” Natalie says once we’ve followed them to their seats and ordered.“How long has this been going on?”
Eve looks at me, panicked, and I say, “Just a few weeks.”
“So you’re dating her?”Natalie asks slowly.“You two are actually together, romantically?”
Eve squeezes my hand under the table, and I can sense her nervousness.“Of course,” I lie smoothly.“Why else would we be here on a date?”
“I'm surprised, honestly.”Natalie sips her water.“Eve, you clearly didn’t like Caleb before.”
“She likes me,” I say, sliding my arm around Eve’s shoulders.I kiss her cheek, letting my lips linger just long enough to feel her sharp intake of breath.“Enough.”The last part I can’t help throwing in, and she kicks me in the shin under the table.I try not to wince.
