I curled an arm around his waist, pulling him in so our sides touched, shoulder to hip.
“We’ve got your back now,” I murmured. “You’re not alone.”
James exhaled like he’d been holding it in for weeks. His head tipped against my shoulder, just barely, and I shifted so he could rest it there if he wanted.
“God, you’re really trying to make me cry in front of everyone, aren’t you?” he whispered.
I snorted. “Don’t worry. Cass is already crying from eating Rowan’s ‘extra spicy’ burger.”
James let out a quiet and shaky laugh, and my chest tightened with something I didn’t want to name.
“I mean it,” I said, gently rubbing his back with my thumb. “If Avery ever comes near you again, he’ll regret it.”
“You’re already growling,” James teased, tilting his head just enough to meet my eyes. “You know you get all grizzly when you’re protective.”
I didn’t deny it. I just leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his temple.
“Wouldn’t have to growl if people didn’t threaten what’s mine,” I muttered.
That got his attention. His gaze flicked up to mine, heat blooming in his cheeks. “Yours, huh?”
I shrugged. “Don’t act surprised.”
Before he could reply, someone whistled.
“Oh wow,” Cass called from across the room. “I never thought I’d see the day our grumpy Rafael got soft on someone.”
Groans and snickers rippled through the room. Someone made a kissy noise. Cyrus was probably recording us on his phone. James straightened up slightly, eyes wide.
I didn’t let him pull away. I slid my arm around his waist and tugged him back against me, baring my teeth at Cass like the feral bastard he was.
“I’m not soft,” I growled. “I’m selective.”
Beau sauntered by, stealing a fry off someone’s plate.
“Selective, huh? Tell that to the time you broke a broom over your knee because a squirrel kept stealing your sandwich,” Beau said.
“That squirrel was a menace,” I muttered.
James laughed again, leaning into me more fully this time, like he didn’t care about the eyes on us anymore. He reached up and brushed his fingers down my chest. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And yet you’re still here,” I said, dipping my head to brush my nose along his hairline. “So what does that make you?”
He hummed. “Very unlucky. Or very into grumpy bears.”
“I vote the second one,” I told him.
We stood there for another beat, just breathing, just being. I wasn’t used to this, being open. Letting people see. But with James, it felt natural.
I didn't want to hide it.
Didn’t want to act like he wasn’t quickly becoming the thing I looked for every morning and couldn’t stop thinking about every night.
“Still want to leave?” I asked him quietly.
“No,” he said, his voice barely audible over the noise. “Not anymore.”
I tightened my hold around him and leaned in, whispering just for him, “Good. Because I’m not letting you go that easy.”
