Page 10 of Wrong Number, Right Grumpy Biker

I took the water. "Thank you."

"It's practical. Can't keep you from crying in public if you're dehydrated."

"I don't cry in public."

"Then my job's already easier."

We arrived at Willow Bend Ranch together. It was a newly restored homestead where every Broken Bend bride wanted to get married eventually. Live oaks. Long porches. String lights someone had already threaded through the branches for that evening.

Lyra spotted us immediately, and her eyebrows rose when she saw Grim walking next to me.

"You brought Grim?"

"Everett sent him."

"Oh." Relief crossed her face. "That's good. I'm glad you're not alone."

The tension between us hadn't disappeared, but she seemed genuinely happy I had backup.

I didn't mention that I'd asked Everett first or that this entire arrangement resulted from my drunken panic.

Lyra glanced at Grim. "Thank you for coming."

He nodded once. "Congratulations."

She smiled and moved on to greet other guests.

It didn’t take more than five minutes for James to find me. He approached with the polished confidence I used to find charming and now recognized as condescension wrapped in expensive cologne.

"Hannah. I wasn't sure you'd actually come."

The comment landed exactly how he'd intended. Casual. Slightly surprised. Suggesting that my presence required courage or special effort.

My ribs contracted on the next breath, like my body remembered what it felt like to make myself smaller before my brain did. The bright colored dress I had on suddenly seemed too loud. I tried to hide my hands behind my back, in pockets I didn't have, anywhere where they’d be less visible.

I was shrinking. I could feel it happening in real time and I didn't know how to stop it.

Then Grim stepped closer. He didn't speak. Didn't threaten. Just placed his hand at the small of my back.

The pressure was slight but deliberate enough to remind me where the floor was and that my feet were still on it.

I straightened. "Of course I came. Lyra's my best friend."

James's gaze shifted to Grim. "I don't think we've met."

"Evan Benson." Grim's voice was calm. "I'm here with Hannah."

James's expression changed immediately. "You're dating?"

I hesitated. Grim's hand remained steady against my back, and I realized that allowing James to believe we were together gave me the breathing room I desperately needed.

“Yeah.” Grim stared at James, daring him to doubt the lie.

“Hannah never mentioned it.”

"We don't discuss my personal life anymore," I said. "Remember?"

The words felt like reclaiming something I'd surrendered.