Dean catches my eye across the room. His expression shifts—surprise, then warmth, then something that looks almost like relief. He says something to Javi, who follows his gaze and immediately starts grinning like the chaos agent he clearly is.
The blonde notices she's lost his attention. She glances over her shoulder, spots me, and her smile tightens just slightly.
"Oh boy," Sophie murmurs. "Here we go."
I should stay where I am. I should finish my drink, make small talk with Sophie, pretend I don't care that some random woman is touching a man I have no claim to.
Instead, I'm sliding off my barstool.
"Callie," Sophie calls after me. "What are you?—"
I'm already walking.
The crowd parts for me—or maybe I'm just moving with enough determination that people get out of my way. Dean's watching me approach, and the blonde is watching too, her expression shifting from confused to annoyed.
"Bingo." I stop in front of them, smile bright and completely fake. "We still on for tomorrow?"
We are absolutely not on for anything tomorrow.
Dean doesn't miss a beat. "Wouldn't miss it."
"Great." I turn to the blonde, extending my hand. "I don't think we've met. I'm Callie."
"Brittany." Her handshake is limp and brief. "Are you two...?"
"Old friends," Dean says smoothly. "Callie's the vet who takes care of Ranger."
"Among other things," I add, and watch Brittany's eyes narrow.
"I should get back to my friends." She gives Dean one last lingering look. "Find me later if you want to finish our conversation."
She disappears into the crowd, and Dean turns to me with an expression caught somewhere between amused and bewildered.
"What was that?"
"What was what?"
"You just stared down a woman you've never met and chased her off with pure territorial energy."
"I did not."
"Doc." He steps closer, lowering his voice. "You absolutely did."
"She was touching you."
"People touch me all the time."
"Not like that."
His eyes search my face. "Does that bother you?"
Yes. "No."
"You're lying. Your eye is twitching." He steps closer. "You're jealous."
"I don't get jealous."
"Could've fooled me."
