My legs moved of their own accord, the only thought in my mind that I did not appreciate Mark’s attitude toward Matilda. She was visibly uncomfortable, yet no one was intervening.
The space between us grew smaller and, noticing someone approaching, Matilda glanced toward me. Our eyes instantly connected.
My body thrummed at the look of relief that crossed her face at my arrival. After a few moments, her expression cleared and was replaced with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
“Matilda,” I greeted my partner, placing a hand on the small of her back in solidarity.
I didn’t bother greeting Mark.
“Hey,” she said on a soft sigh. “YouOK?”
“Just coming to see if you’re joining us for a drink.” I nodded my head toward the table, while avoiding looking directly at Jack. I didn’t need to see him to know he’d be wearing a shit-eating grin. If Matilda was shocked by my out-of-character display, she didn’t showit.
“We’re actually in the middle of something,” Mark interjected.
I lazily turned my head, offering him a bored look. “Funny, I don’t remember asking you.”
Matilda choked on her drink, which she attempted to hide behind a cough. A smirk twitched on my lips.
“Excuse me?” Mark scoffed.
“You’re excused.” I said and turned to Matilda, flexing my fingers where they pressed on her back. I was glad Jack wasn’t close enough to overhear this exchange; otherwise I’d be hearing from him about my “attitude.” “Ready?”
Matilda blinked once, too slowly to be natural, before her smile slid back into place as she nodded. “Sorry. I’ve…got to go,” she told Mark and let me guide her away. Before we fully turned, I caught sight of Mark downing his whiskey and slamming the empty glass on thebar.
“What was his problem?” I asked as we headed back toward Jack and the other agent.
“Oh, he’s just like that sometimes. I think he’s stressed trying to organize the show and stuff.”
Stressed trying to organize the show.It looked like more than that from where we’d been standing. It looked like he was trying to hit on her, she shut it down, and he didn’t likeit.
“Isn’t that his job?” I pressed.
“Yeah, I guess.” She shrugged and laughed it off. She glanced down to where my hand was still against her back, and I tore it away like it burned.Why the fuck are you still touchingher?
“Hey, Jack, Sam,” Matilda greeted them, her voice betraying no hint that she’d been uncomfortable twenty seconds before.
Of course, she knew the agent by name.
“How long have you guys been here, anyway?”
“Only about twenty minutes. I don’t think we’ll stay for long,” Jack offered.
“Yeah, me neither. It’s been a long week, right?” We all nodded, and she continued, “Sam, how’s Tony getting on? Is he enjoying training?”
Sam laughed. “He’s enjoying it, I think. He isn’t used to the physical aspect, though; the training is intense.”
“Isn’t it?” Matilda agreed. “I’ve been skating my whole life and still find the step-up for the training hard.”
“Yeah, I think he’ll get there. He just hasn’t got the confidence at the moment.”
“Oh, he will. Sometimes, it takes a while for it to click.” Her lips wrapped around her straw as she took a drink. “If I’m free and he needs extra help, I’m more than happyto.”
My eyebrows furrowed in disbelief, my mouth slightly agape as I twisted my head to look at her. My mind reeled.Did we not speak about this earlier?
When she caught my expression, a flush crept up her cheeks. A sheepish smile played on her lips as she amended, “I can offer some pointers.”
“Thanks, he’d appreciate that,” Sam told her, and I fought not to roll my eyes.
