I suddenly feel a warm hand grasp mine and I feel his breath whisper across my ear once again. “Say the word and we can leave.”
I gulp and shake my head. I don’t want to force him to leave when we just got here. These are his friends, his people, and even if I’m scared and uncomfortable I want to get to know them. I want to stay.
I take a small but deep breath. “I’m okay, I promise.” I smile, it’s tentative but true.
I’ve faced way scarier things in life. Situations that were life or death. This is nothing compared to those moments. I make my smile bigger and work to release the tension in my shoulders.
“We are so happy to have you join us, Millie!” The brunette that spoke first says. I think her name is Lily.
“Thanks, I’m happy to be here," I say, shyly as I push a lock of my curly brown hair behind my ear.
The table seems to go back to surveying the menus. Less interested in the new person at the table.
Rowan clears his throat and pushes a menu in front of me. I notice that he doesn’t take one for himself. “You already know what you are getting?”
He casually throws his arm around the back of my chair, spreading his legs wide as he settles more comfortably in the chair. His leg brushes against mine in the most delish way.
“Yep. I always get the same thing here.”
I flip through the menu, noticing it’s way more eclectic than I originally assumed. There’s a little something for everyone. My mouth waters at all the possibilities. “How could you just pick one thing and never try something new? It all sounds so good.”
“I like what I like.”
“What if you like something better and you’ve been missing out this whole time?” I ask as I look over to him. He’s watching me intently. His eyes dilate as soon as they connect with mine. My heart starts to race just from the way he’s looking at me.
“That’s the thing though, I don’t feel like I’m missing out.”
“That’s just because you don’t know any better.”
“Maybe I do know better and it’s the safer choice.” His body shifts towards mine, lighting my nerve endings on fire just from his proximity.
I lick my lips and watch as his eyes follow the movement. “Safe? I think life should be about taking risks, trying new things.” I know what it’s like to have to play it safe and I never want to have to go back there again.
“Maybe, that’s where we’re different, Daredevil. I like what I can predict.” His mood suddenly shifts to something darker and more contemplative. I feel like we aren’t talking about the menu anymore.
“Where’s the fun in that?” I whisper. I feel like we’re in our own little bubble even though we’re sitting at a crowded table with all of his friends. His breath is still just a whisper across my cheek, so close that if I leaned forward our noses would touch.
“It isn’t always about fun. Sometimes it’s about knowing what to expect.”
“We aren’t talking about food right now, are we?”
“No, Daredevil, we aren’t.” His eyes soften, right before he leans back into his chair, his leg still touching mine.
“Rowan! Cap, where you been at?” The question bursts the makeshift bubble we created. Suddenly the sounds from the table infiltrate my ears, making me painfully aware we are in front of an audience.
“Been right here, Nash.” Rowan answers, casually.
“No, you haven’t. We barely see you anymore on the weekends. Where you running off to?” Nash continues to probe.
Rowan shifts in his seat uncomfortably, his eyes darting to the girl across the table with long black hair for only a brief second before averting them to someone else at the table. “Been volunteering with the housing project.”
The girl with the raven hair sits forward. I can’t remember her name.Stacy? Sara?Something with an S.
“Really?” she asks, surprised.
“Yeah, that so hard to believe, Stella?” Rowan responds defensively.
She shrinks back in shock, “No, Rowan. Not at all. I was just surprised because you haven’t said anything.” Tension immediately takes up residence around the table. I have no idea why or what’s going on here. All I do know is that Rowan seems very uncomfortable talking about this with Stella.
