"No, thank you," Joy says firmly. "I'm here with someone."
"Yeah, but you're the new girl in town. You should hang out with lots of different guys for a while. See what you like, you know?"
Joy looks miserable, her gaze locked on her hands.
I know that level of discomfort. Well, not exactly. She's a young woman, practically alone in the world, with only one brother who doesn't seem nearly attentive enough, not a huge, grouchy, badass like me. I can walk away from any situation. When I feel cornered, it’s from societal expectations, not physical constraints. But still…
The guy tries to slide closer, but I step forward. With a quick shove, my boot slides his chair back toward his own table. "Excuse me." My growl is quiet but lethal as I loom over the three young men. "I believe the lady said no."
"What's it to you? This ain’t your business, pal." Of course, the only one brave enough to speak is the guy furthest away from me at the far side of the table.
My sweet baby looks so worried as she looks up at me with her stunning deep blue eyes.
Fuck it. I'm going to take a hit of discomfort now, so that Joy never has to again.
I set the tray down in front of her, reaching out to stroke the side of her cheek with my thumb. Then my eyes flick to the next table as my voice resonates through the cafe. “I didn’t catch your name,pal. Mine’s Emerick Wolfe. And everything is my business…especiallymy girlfriend."
From the nanosecond I announce my name, you could hear a pin drop in the room. Then someone's breath catches. The three men silently stand up, grab the last of their food, and file out without another word.
Everyone is staring. I feel nauseated. My back prickles from all the people looking at me.
Joy’s eyes are wide as I sink into the chair beside her. Every other couple is sitting across from each other, but I need to feel her against me right now. My knee rubs against hers as I quietly point to her sandwich.
"Your turkey on rye looks good. I'm going to steal a bite of it in a minute."
Her breath is shaky. “Thank you.”
Conversation picks up around us again, and I lean close. “For the sandwiches? You’re welcome.”
“No. For…” Her gaze flits around the room, then settles back on me. “You just made sure no guy here ever pesters me again, didn’t you?”
“That was the idea, yeah.” My hand clasps hers under the table. “Is that okay?”
She nods. “But what you said…that word…” Her shoulders rise and fall slowly with her breath. “I didn’t think you wanted to talk about that kind of stuff.”
“More that I didn’t bring it up because I didn’t know how. The timeline is insane, right?”
Joy laughs, breaking the tension. "Yes! Totally deranged. Thank you for saying it first."
"I mean, I've wanted to find an incredible woman for years. But it's not normal to go strolling in the rain and find the girl of your dreams."
"Or to want to be kidnapped. To trust a stranger and want to move in with him from the first kiss. To want…"
"More than want, sugar." My arm squeezes around her shoulders as I kiss the tip of her nose. "This is a need. We belong together, and we know it. Why screw around being polite anymore?"
"You're chatty again. Are you upset because you're hungry?" Joy giggles, nudging my sandwich over. "Maybe you're high on all the cookies and cupcakes."
"I'm high on you, sugar."
I kiss her cheek, then pull away, not needing that hippie lady who runs the café to come over and give me hell for making a spectacle of myself for a second time.
We finish our lunch, and as I gather everything back on the tray, Joy whispers, "Do you notice how people are still staring a bit?"
"Yeah," I grimace. "It's a Wolfe thing."
"How do you stand it?" Her hand rubs my forearm. "You’re…no offense…definitely someone who prefers to be left alone."
"You mean I'm a grumpy loner? You can say it." I scowl and glare at her, then my face melts into a smile. "You make me feel lighter. I can handle the stares with you in my life."
