“She’ll marry a pastor. Too bad you’re not a year older and ordained. Then you’d have a better shot than I did.”
His hands curl into fists and he scowls, but at least his anger isn’t directed at me.
I side-eye their table, unable to keep my eyes off her. She’s stiff and uncomfortable. Guess it’s me. This is gonnabe awkward as hell. I should get our food to go. Neither Noel nor I will enjoy our dinner with that scene close by.
I am about to signal our server, but a flash catches my eye. It’s the silver ring on Gabe’s hand as it is swallowed by shadow under the table. His fingertips glide underneath to rest on her thigh.
Red floods my vision.
She squirms and crosses her legs to evade his touch.
This isn’t right. Even if she wanted to date Gabe, I can’t imagine she would be this uncomfortable. Fuck, she looks like she has a gun to her temple.
Gabe reaches for her hand instead and she jerks hers away.
She doesn’t want to be touched.
They argue in hushed voices, then stop. Her beautiful face is flushed and blemished with a frown. She hides behind her hands, elbows on the table, and just like that, Gabe’s hand slips under the table once more. This time, she doesn’t react, letting him lay his palm on her leg.
“Uh,” wretches Noel.
My eyes sear into his and I slide keys across the table. “Noel, Julie’s car is outside. Take Tommy home if shit goes down.”
His mouth hangs open. “But—”
“It’s Morgan, alright? He’s got his grimy hands all over her. That what you want?”
I don’t have time for this. I’m too fucking pissed. I slide out of the booth and stop at their table, glaring down at them.
Like the performer she is, she flips a switch. She lifts her chin and puts on that fake smile I hate.
“Hey, hon,” she says, bubbly and with that thick Southern twang. “How ya doin?”
“Can I help you?” Gabe interjects, his tone sharp.
Noel sneaks up behind me.
I ignore him. All I care about is Morgan. I lean down, palms flat on the table, demanding her attention.
“Cut the crap and lose the smile. I’m not Norm in the lobby.”
“Whatever do you mean?” she says sweetly.
Fuck this.
I grab her arm firm enough to drag her to a stand, but gentle enough she could break free. She wobbles on her heels, but I pull her close, her body touching mine. At first she stiffens, but just as quick, her soft frame leans into me.
It sends my pulse skyrocketing.
God, this feels right. Like she should’ve never left. Like I feel whole somehow.
Gabe snaps to a stand. “Hey! Let her go.”
This time, Morgan holds up her finger. “Give us a minute. I’ll handle it.”
I smirk.Handle what?This girl can’t even look at me.
“Eyes up,” I order, low.
