I cleared my throat. “I have a reservation under Robinson.”
“Just a moment.”
When the hostess pulled out a chair for Madi, I gently nudged her to the opposite side of the table. “Sorry, Red, but I prefer to face the door.”
Madi laughed. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Let me guess, your father always chose the same seat?”
“And my brothers.”
I pushed her chair in and thanked the hostess. Before we looked at the menu, I reached across the table. “Do me a favor, tell me if you sense you’re being watched.”
“Of course I’m being watched.” She glanced over to the table where Jay and Cate held hands while talking.
“You know what I mean.”
“Is it okay for me to order a glass of wine?” she asked.
Once again, I hated how small she sounded.
“Of course.”
When our server arrived, I ordered the house red for Madi, per her request, and a beer for myself. I’d sip it to give the illusion of drinking, but I couldn’t forget I was working.
We ordered two steak and lobster dinners, both medium-rare.
My phone buzzed with a text from Nathan.
Jay says Madi looks tense.
Well played Sheppard. He used the comms to relay the message, so he didn’t have to interrupt his date to text me.
Tell him not to worry. She’s got this.
Have fun. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.
I put my phone back in my pocket.
“Who was that?”
“Jay’s being obnoxious.”
Her laugh trickled down my spine and calmed nerves I hadn’t realized were buzzing. “He’ll grow out of it someday.”
“You think?”
“I do. Cate’s been good for him. He-”
“Let’s not talk about your brother.” I slipped my hand under hers and rubbed the back of her wrist with my thumb.
Madi’s gorgeous hazel eyes shot to mine as her breath hitched.
Good, my goal was to keep her too preoccupied to worry.
“Think about me touching you and you’ll forget to be nervous.” She might hate me for laying it on thick, but I could live with that if it meant she could live her life on her terms.
“I’ll forget about a lot of things.”
