Olivia was so stunned she stumbled over her feet. Thankfully, Heath had quick reflexes and saved her from face planting on the sidewalk. “Sorry,” she mumbled.
“I don’t think your girlfriend appreciates you doing double time.” Mike smirked, making Heath scowl.
Olivia looked between the two, wondering what she was missing. It was like they were having some battle of wills she was clueless about, and if she walked away right now, no one would notice. Then, she realized what Mike had said.Girlfriend.She wasn’t the girlfriend, was she? They had been seeing each other for a few days, but she wouldn’t classify herself, as the girlfriend.
“I’m not his girlfriend.”
“She’s not my girlfriend.” They said at the same time.
“Sure, sure.” Mike chuckled.
Heath glared daggers at Mike, before continuing down the street, but at a much slower pace. “Just ignore him, we usually do.”
“What a terrible thing to say.” Mike said affronted.
“I feel like I’m in the middle of something between you.” Olivia looked between them.
“No, Mike just can’t keep his opinions to himself.”
“Maybe, I should go home. I don’t want to interfere.” Olivia tugged her hand, but Heath refused to let go.
“Please, don’t leave. We’ll stay for a little bit and leave.”
Olivia wanted to say no. As much as she wanted to meet his friends, she didn’t want to make things more awkward, after he walked away.
“Please,” he pleaded. Olivia found she wasn’t strong enough to deny him.
“Just for a little bit.” She didn’t want to be out too late. Olivia was concerned about Ivy and hoped whatever she had wasn’t serious.
“Good. So, what did you want to tell me?”
Olivia panicked, as she glanced over at Mike, walking on the other side of her. It wasn’t a conversation she wanted an audience for. “I’ll tell you later.”
Heath didn’t push her, and they continued to walk down the street hand-in-hand for a few blocks, until they came to bar with the sign Marshall’s written in red over the door. Olivia didn’t know what to expect, when she walked in, but she wasn’t expecting to see a bar full of military men. Some were dressed casually, and some were still in uniform. Olivia felt uneasy being surrounded by so many military personnel. Did the government have a wanted poster for her? She had the sudden urge to flee.
“You okay?” Heath asked, looking at her concerned.
“I’m okay. I just didn’t expect to go to a bar tonight.” She smoothly lied, as she looked around. No one seemed to be looking at them, as they walked through the room, until a woman with short, pixie style hair stood up from the table filled with men and women and waved them over.
“It’s a hangout for our group. Don’t worry, we won’t be here long. I have plans for later.” His eyes raked over her body, making his meaning clear as glass.
“Okay,” the bar felt overheated to her flush skin. She didn’t like crowds anyway, and the bar was crammed, not surprising for a Friday night. She’d rather be outside in the cooler air and away from so many people, but she didn’t want to cause alarm.
Heath kept saying they weren’t staying long, and she hoped that was true.
Chapter 18
Heath felt nervous, as he led Olivia to the table, where his friends sat. They had crammed several tables together due to the fact that their group kept growing. Who would have thought in a year all of his friends would find love? He included Mike, because he knew the giant had someone, but he was trying to keep her secret. That’s what he should have done. He had never introduced a woman to his friends before.
He hadn’t planned on introducing Olivia to them, but they had cornered him and told him they wanted to meet her, and if he didn’t bring her to Marshall’s, they would storm the diner and embarrass the shit out of him.
Heath hadn’t taken it as an idle threat, especially from the woman. Linzy was the newest to the group, so she didn’t know as much about all of them yet. Cora, on the other hand, knew them all the longest and had been raised by Marine parents. The woman wasn’t afraid of anything and posed the biggest threat.
Olivia knew some of his more colorful background and growing up, but she didn’t know details like Cora did, when she first started dating Liam.
Heath noted Olivia’s pale complexion. He didn’t know if it was due to the crowd or meeting his friends. She kept giving him monotone answers, as her eyes continuously scanned the bar. He knew she didn’t like being in crowded places and hadn’t had a chance to forewarn her before now.
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about this earlier. The women cornered me after work and threatened bodily harm, if they didn’t get to meet you, and this is their favorite place to come.” Heath whispered in her ear, so she could hear him over the other conversations and music blaring over the speaker.
