“Yeah.” But despite agreeing, I don’t move.
“Freya?”
“Yeah.”
“Do...do you want to abandon him? If you do, just say the word and I’ll get you out of here unnoticed.”
My heart thumps hard in my chest in a way it hasn’t since the moment Levi smiled at me when I arrived.
“No, I can’t do that. He’s a nice guy. He’s been nothing but respectful. I’ve got this.” I’m pretty sure I sound a hell of a lot more confident than I feel, but I roll with it.
“Okay. If you need me, just call me, and I’ll be there.”
“I will, but I’m okay. Enjoy the rest of your night, Cole.”
“You too.”
It takes me a few more seconds, but I eventually drag myself away from him and slip into the ladies’ bathroom.
“Oh my god,” I breathe, the second the door closes behind him.
I rush into a stall and do my thing, all the while, my head spins with what just happened.
Cole came here in case I needed him.
He was probably right to think I’d be mad. Maybe I should be. But I’m not. I’m touched.
When I emerge, I’ve got a silly smile playing on my lips. I catch my reflection in the mirror and have a very firm word withmyself. It should be my date making me smile like that, not my boss.
It takes every ounce of self-control not to scan the entire restaurant looking for Cole and whoever he came with. Somehow, I manage to get back to my table without locating them.
“Everything okay?” Levi asks.
It’s only then I question how long I was gone.
“Yeah, everything’s great.”
I take my seat, and for the first time tonight, I feel awkward and uncomfortable.
I’m hyper aware that right this moment, Cole could be looking at me, and I have no idea where he is.
I don’t know whether he can sense the shift in me, or if he’s just ready to end our time here, but Levi pushes his chair out and asks if I’m ready to head out.
Eagerly, I stand as well. I’ve had a lovely night, but yeah, I am ready to bring it to an end.
“We need to pay,” I blurt as I hook my purse over my shoulder.
“I’ve taken care of it,” he tells me.
I look up at him, wishing my heart beat the way it did with Cole earlier. “Thank you. I would have happily paid for my half, though.”
“Not a chance,” he states before pressing his hand to the small of my back and directing me toward the exit.
This time, I can’t fight it, and my eyes scan around the restaurant. At first, I don’t find them, but then, right at the back in the corner, I spot four huge guys. Three of them are in a deep conversation, but one of them is looking right at me.
My heart lurches in my chest as our eyes collide.
Disappointment floods through my veins that he’s not the one leading me outside.
