I stared at Eli, my heart pounding for an entirely different reason now. Where had this protective side come from? And why did my body like it so much?
“You okay?” Eli asked, his voice softening slightly as he turned to me.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. All I could think was how different Eli looked in that moment—dangerous and compelling in a way that made a pulsing, hot wave roll through my core.
“Thanks,” I finally managed. “I had it under control, but… I appreciate the backup.”
Eli’s lips rose in a half-smile and just like that, the Eli I knew was back. “Anytime. Can’t have some drunken idiot ruining ladies’ night, right?”
I laughed, the tension breaking. “Right. My hero.”
Lacey sidled up to us, her eyes darting between Eli and me with undisguised interest. “Well, that was quite the show.” A sly grin spread across her face. “You two make quite the team.”
Heat flashed across my face, and I avoided Eli’s gaze. “It was nothing.”
“Mm-hmm,” Lacey hummed. She checked her phone and yawned dramatically, patting her mouth with one hand. “You know, I think I’m going to call it a night. Early morning tomorrow.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “It’s barely nine, Lace.”
She shrugged, already adjusting her purse. “Beauty sleep is important when you’re the bride. You don’t mind walking home, do you? It’s only a few blocks. I know you’d prefer to walk under the lovely night sky than huddle in my car, anyway. You two have fun!”
“Lacey, what are you?—”
Then she gave us a salute. “Nighty night, folks.” With a wink that was about as subtle as a foghorn, she sashayed toward the exit, leaving me alone with Eli.
