Page 242 of My Three Billionaire Rockstars

“The public can learn boundaries,” Gabe cuts in smoothly.

Julian leans back in the booth beside me, grinning without warmth. “You know, legally speaking, stalking probably shouldn’t be your whole personality.”

“I’m a journalist.”

“You’re an asshole with a cell phone.”

I choke on my drink.

Caitlyn’s attention snaps toward me. “Willow, how are you coping with all the attention surrounding your relationship?”

Every muscle in my body tightens.

Then Xander sets his glass down. The sound alone quiets the table. He finally looks at Caitlyn directly, ice blue eyes flat and cold enough to cut glass.

“I said leave.”

Caitlyn hesitates.

Xander leans back in the booth, one arm stretching behind me along the seat. Protective. Possessive in a way that somehow still feels entirely about my comfort instead of his ego.

“You got your story,” he says calmly. “Now, move on.”

“And if I don’t?”

Julian smiles. “Then Gabe starts using legal terminology and Xander starts glaring at people until they cry.”

“Historically,” Gabe adds, adjusting his cuff, “both approaches are extremely effective.”

For one tense second, I think she might actually push harder.

Then Martha appears beside the table holding a bread basket like a weapon.

“Sweetheart,” she says to Caitlyn, “either order food or get out of my restaurant.”

I almost laugh.

Caitlyn looks around the table one last time before finally scoffing and backing away.

The second she leaves, the tension breaks.

Julian exhales. “Well. That was romantic.”

“You threatened a journalist,” I tell him.

“I threatened her with charm.”

Gabe shakes his head. “That sentence alone should disqualify you from adulthood.”

Xander’s hand settles against my thigh beneath the table. “You okay?”

And maybe I should say no.

Maybe I should admit all of this still scares me sometimes.

But sitting here between them, warm restaurant light spilling across the table while Martha yells at someone in the kitchen and Julian steals fries off Gabe’s plate like a menace to society… I actually am.

So I look at Xander.