“Robbie,” I grit out. “Stop.”
Robbie shakes his head. “Carlos, I thought you were Ames’s friend. And Erick… you’ve already moved on?”
Pain stabs clean through my chest.
I don’t need a defender. Never have. But Robbie standing up for me, like I’m his to protect…
It feels so good. Has always felt good.
But that’s because I used to enjoy Delusion so much Ibought a time-share there. Real estate I’m desperately trying to off-load.
Carlos’s nostrils flare, and it seems like only Erick’s hands on his arm are keeping him in his seat. “Robbie, if you say another word to my guy?—”
I step between Robbie and the booth and push against his chest before Carlos can finish his threat. “Kitchen,” I say. “Now.”
Pushing him is like trying to move the entirety of Elspeth Mountain with my bare hands. He will not be budged.
“Rob,” I whisper. “Please.”
His eyes flick to mine, and his brow twitches in a frown, but he nods shortly and lets me tow him away.
I tug him through the swinging doors at the back of the dining area. In the kitchen, my line cooks immediately find very important things to do and studiously avoid looking at us. My second-in-command, Jana, grimaces, then follows suit.
I keep towing until we’re in my office off the kitchen—more of a closet, really, with only a desk and an old file cabinet—then close the door firmly behind us.
“What the fuck was that?” I demand, whirling on him.
Robbie’s chest heaves, and his face is flushed. “You’re askingme? Those two were all cozied up like they were… were…” He flings a hand wildly toward the door.
“On a date?” I supply. “Yes. Because they’re dating.”
He scowls. “Don’t act likeI’mthe weird one for feeling some kind of way about this, okay? I didn’t know Carlos was even into guys?—”
“Was he supposed to alert the media?” I set my hands on my hips.
“You and Erickjustbroke up,” he goes on. “Them throwing it in your face…” He shakes his head once. “No one’s allowed to hurt you like that, Ames.”
Robbie’s killing me. Literally, my heart’s squeezing so hard, I marvel for a second that I’m still upright. His loyalty and protection are loving and selfless and entirely Ames-specific, and I wish?—
Ugh.
Thirty seconds alone with him and I’m back on my bullshit. I freakingknewthis would happen.
I wrench myself away mentally, but knowing I’m so weak makes me angry, and that anger finds a handy target.
“Ideservenot to have you making a whole-ass scene in my restaurant because you jumped to conclusions, Robert,” I shout. “The person disrespecting me out there wasyou.”
Robbie blinks, and his eyes widen, but I keep going because if I don’t, I’ll do something stupid… like kiss his red-bitten lips for defending me.
“I was standing there talking to them. Did I look upset? Do you think I couldn’t have handled it myself if I was? Do you think they’d be eating in my restaurant right now? Erick and I broke up because we’re better off as friends. It wasmutual, understand? “
Robbie folds his arms over his chest. “Well, how was I supposed to know that when you didn’t fucking tell?—?”
“You letmetake care of me, that’s how,” I snap. “If I need help, I’ll tell you.”
He laughs hollowly. “Like fuck you would. We were at drill together Tuesday, Amesie. I asked how you were andwhy you hadn’t answered my texts. You said you were just busy.”
“I—” I begin, but the fight drains out of me, and I don’t know how to finish.
