Before she could protest, he’d nudged her forcibly back into the booth. She tried to look relaxed, tried to smile at Annabelle, Ethan, and Willow, who sat across from her, but it wasn’t easy.
“I thought Jake and Branna would be here by now?” Willow said.
“Branna will be leaving it till the last minute to leave Declan and Ellen. They’re looking after Rose,” Katie said, latching on to the conversation rather than thinking about the man seated beside her. She managed to get a bit of space between them by putting her handbag there.
“Of course,” Willow said. “It will be the first time they’ve left her.”
Annabelle said something then, drawing Willow’s eyes.
“Katie, we need to talk.”
“No.” She didn’t turn and look at Cubby as he spoke. “We said everything that needed to be said.”
“Just look at me, please.”
She felt him move her handbag and then his thigh was pressed against hers.
“I have nothing to say to you, so please just drop it.” Katie made herself look at him.
“I just want to talk to you, princess, somewhere private.”
Shaking her head, she ignored the thud of her heartbeat. He was dangerous to her, because he was a weakness, someone who with a few words could probably make her drop all the defenses she’d spent last night putting in place.
“Katie I need to make you un—”
“Want to dance, Katie?”
Brady appeared at their booth. He wore a long black wig and a blue velvet jacket over jeans.
“Nice outfit.”
“Same goes. Wow, you look seriously hot in that dress.”
“Thanks, and yes, I’d love to dance.” She didn’t look at Cubby again as she urged Buster from the booth.
Brady whistled as she stepped out, his eyes running up and down her body. His appreciation made her smile. To hell with Cubby Hawker and whatever pathetic words he was going to excuse himself with. She may take a while to find another man to love, if ever, but she would not let him stop her from enjoying her life, and this night with her family and friends. Jessie, Jilly, and Melanie were gone, never having had a chance to live out their lives; she owed it to them to make sure she lived hers.
Not looking back, she gave Brady a big smile, then slipped her hand into his and let him lead her to the dance floor.
“Nice hot pants, Mom.”
“Thanks, sweetheart.” Her parents looked in their thirties not fifties as she and the deputy took up the space beside them.
Brady could dance, and as Katie didn’t have to think when she was dancing, she stayed on the floor with him and others who asked. She laughed as her friends and family bumped hips with her. Jake arrived, in a pale blue suit with flared trousers, a paisley shirt, and big fat purple tie. He grabbed her around the waist. They danced for a few songs, and then Newman made her line dance to a sixties classic.
“Hey, pretty girl.”
“Hey, Annabelle.” Katie smiled and then felt it slip as she saw who was partnering her friend. “Cubby.” She managed to nod, then turned away to look at Newman’s chest. When the song finished she told Newman she needed a drink. He nodded, and taking her hand he led her to the bar.
“Soda please, Noah.” She gave her order quickly so she didn’t change it to bourbon, which she was incidentally craving. It was his fault; Cubby Hawker unsettled her.
“Beer thanks,” Newman said, before adding, “He’s a good man, Katie, just thickheaded.”
“Noah’s okay, I guess,” Katie said, deliberately misunderstanding him.
Newman smiled and it showed off his teeth. Katie wished her heart would flutter, even a little bit, but unfortunately it didn’t. Newman, Buster, and Ethan were like brothers to her.
“Nice try, little girl, but I first met you when you were a baby; I know when you’re hurting and the same can be said about Cubby. You two had a thing and something has derailed that, and my guess is it’s him, not you.”
