“It’s called being chivalrous.” He winks at me.
“It’s a wonder you’re not already taken,” I whisper.
Loud music practically slaps me in the face as we step inside. Our owner rented out the entire place for us tonight. Tables are filled with food, and a line of people waiting for drinks wraps around the bar .
“Want me to get us drinks?” Hunter asks.
“I’ll go with you.”
Scanning the crowd, I’m not quite ready to be on my own. I don’t want anyone thinking I’m here by myself and having to answerthosequestions.
“Ollie! You made it,” Sharon’s voice rings out.
I jump, running smack-dab into Hunter’s chest. He settles a hand on my waist.
“Relax,” he whispers into my ear. “Everything is fine.”
“Right,” I say more to myself than anything.
“I can’t believe we’re meeting Ollie’s boyfriend,” Sharon says.
I don’t move, still stuck in Hunter’s grasp. His hand gives me a possessive squeeze, letting me know I’m okay.
And boy, am I ever okay when Hunter touches me like that.
“Sharon, this is my boyfriend, Hunter. Hunter, this is Sharon.”
Tinsel trees hang from her ears as her sweater lights up, flashing various colors at me.
“It is very nice to meet you,” she says, sticking her hand out.
Hunter takes it, giving her a smile. “It’s nice to finally meet some of Ollie’s coworkers.”
“I hope you don’t take offense I kept trying to set Ollie up. I only want to see him happy.”
“Believe me, we’re happy.”
I turn my head back to look at Hunter, his eyes shining down at me.
Huh.
He really does look happy. Even under that scruffy beard of his, I can see happiness radiating from him.
Hunter really is a good actor.
“I can see that.” I turn my attention back to Sharon, and she looks like the cat that got the canary. “I’ll let you two grab drinks and get settled. I’ll see you around.”
With that, she’s off. No doubt to tell everyone that she just met Ollie’s boyfriend.
“Great. Everyone is going to know we’re here in about five minutes.”
Hunter laughs. “Five minutes? More like five seconds. She wasgiddyat meeting me.”
I smack his chest as we move forward in line. With several bartenders working, the line moves quickly.
“We don’t need to inflate your ego.”
“Ollie. I heard you made it.”
