“Hey!” Quinton stepped up to the table and began introductions. Several women floated in as they were talking, apparently just joining the group. Beckett shook hands all around. When he came to Trent, the guy hitting on Daisy, he squeezed his hand extra hard and dropped his smile. Taken off guard, the guy’s hand folded inside Beckett’s and his face clouded over. Beckett eased off, feeling bad for coming outswinging.
The guys gave up their seats at the table for the ladies and moved to the semicircle just behind them. Before Beckett could snag a seat behind Daisy, Trent put his knee on thechair.
Beckett really didn’t like him. He moved his gaze to Daisy and found her watching him. A small line formed between her eyebrows. It looked so out of place on her flawless face that he had the desire the smooth it away. She wasn’t dressed in her normal white clothing. Tonight she’d donned a green color that made every part of her shine, from her fancy hairdo to her strappy heels. His heart thrummed at those heels. Even sitting down, they made her lean legs look so dang long. He’d thought she was beautiful every day, but tonight she’d kicked it up to a whole other level. She shouldn’t be allowed to walk around in public looking likethat.
Now, besides the primal need to tear into Trent, he had to fight the urge to tuck Daisy behind him and shield her from every guy in theroom.
Where was a spear when he neededone?
The house lights dimmed indicating five minutes until showtime. Beckett sat three seats removed from Trent. The group of friends had obviously known each other for some time. They talked easily about work and their latest date and their kids or pets. A waitress arrived at Vivian’s elbow and asked to takeorders.
“Where did you meet everyone?” Beckett askedQuinton.
Quinton shrugged. “I did my undergrad with Trent and Kyler. Savannah, Monique, and Katie are Vivian’s neighbors. And you’ve seen Bret, Julie, and Sienna at myclinic.”
Beckett nodded. “Everyone looks different when they aren’t inscrubs.”
Quinton laughed. “That’s why I like coming. It reminds me that I have a life outside of doghair.”
He couldn’t stop himself from asking, “Is that why Daisy comes?” He cast a sidelong glance in Trent’s direction, totally hating the idea that Trent might be the reason Daisycomes.
Quinton stuck his tongue in his cheek like he did when he didn’t know how to answer a question. Beckett wished he could swallow back the words. He shouldn’t be asking about Daisy, and he certainly shouldn’t be askingQuinton.
The waitress settled between them, her pad poised and ready to take their order. Quinton turned his attention to her as he requested a blooming onion and a soda. Beckett went for the jalapeño poppers and chips and queso. The more he could stuff in his mouth, the less likely he’d be to say somethingstupid.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Trent rest his hand on Daisy’s shoulder to get her attention. Daisy leaned back and Trent whispered something in her ear that made hergiggle.
Beckett looked away, his neck hot. Had he been a cartoon, steam would have blown out of his ears. The waitress arrived with their drinks and Beckett grasped his with two hands, gulping down the liquid that was cold enough toburn.
He took a critical look at Trent, sizing him up. His dirty blond hair was parted on the side and hung longer in the front than on the sides like some skater kid from the nineties. He was thin but not tall, with a fitted shirt—thanks to Daisy, he knew what that meant—and skinny jeans. Unfortunately, he also knew that Trent had the body type to wear skinny jeans. He ran his hands through his untamed hair, worried about what was happening tohim.
He leaned to the side, entering the personal space of the guy next to him in an attempt to get in on Daisy’s conversation. The guy gave him a whatcha-doin’? look. Beckett ignored him. “Vivian,” he saidloudly.
She turned his direction and smiled. “Hey.” Her eyes darted to Quinton and then back to him. The glance was only a glance, but he thought he saw something akin to attractionthere.
In a flash of brilliance, he asked, “Can I trade youseats?”
She checked around her, as if a man sitting at the table wasn’t done. Well, maybe it wasn’t cool for him to be there, but Beckett would have a much better chance of keeping Trent off of Daisy if he was sitting in Vivian’sspot.
“Uh, sure.” Vivianstood.
With a lot of “I’m sorrys” and “please excuse mes,” Beckett’s backside ended up right where he wanted tobe.
Daisy scowled. “What’d you make her movefor?”
Beckett pressed his finger to his lips before pointing towards Quinton and Vivian, thankful for the excuse. Quinton’s knee wagged back and forth like a puppy dog’s tail as they talked, and Vivian looked up at him through lowered lashes. He wished Daisy would look at him like that. She kind of had, when they were shopping, after he’d thanked herviewers.
“Oh. My. Gosh.” Daisy covered her mouth and just stared at them. “Why didn’t I see this?” shehissed.
Beckett leaned back in his chair. The table wasn’t that big and there were already three women’s legs underneath. He had nowhere to stretch out and shifted awkwardly. “You’ve been too busy focusing on me.” He made sure his voice was loud enough to carry back a row. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Trent lift his hand to touch Daisy’s shoulder again. Beckett turned his legs to the side and put his arm across the back of Daisy’s seat, effectively blocking Trent’s move. “Do you mind?” he asked Daisy. “It’s kind ofcramped.”
She shook her head, the tendrils around her face brushing her cheek. “It’sfine.”
Trent kicked the back of his chair. Beckett chose to believe it was an accident and ignored it. A spotlight came on and the MC stepped onto the stage to warm up thecrowd.
“How’s everybody doing tonight?” He was answered with polite applause. “We’ve got a great show planned for you with something special thrown in. You didn’t come here to see me, so without further ado, let’s give it up for:Mimevizzion.”
“No way!” Daisy clapped enthusiastically along with most of thecrowd.
