Page 63 of Shiny Things

“As a matter of fact he did mention it. Why?”

She sighed. “This is the second night in a row that he’s hit on Kim. He got particularly inappropriate tonight. We tried to handle the situation as discreetly as possible.”

“Do you really think having her threaten him and running him off scared for his life is handling things discreetly?” her mother asked.

“Kim was nowhere near him when that occurred,” David argued, but I reached for his arm and silenced him.

“Don’t bother. She doesn’t want me working her parties, then fine. She can do it herself. Starting now.” I gave a sweet little smile and dropped my cleaning rag into her hand as I took off my apron and handed it to her. Then I turned and walked away. A few steps later, I turned back to see her and Helena both looking like fish out of water as they stared at me in shock. “Oh, and Ginny, just a piece of advice, you might want to warn your mate, Atticus, that Joe likes to touch what isn’t his. I don’t reallyappreciate being groped just for doing my job. But hey, maybe that’s your thing because clearly, it’s okay by you.”

Before they could even process what was happening, I left.

By the time I got to the driveway, I was shaking all over. I pulled out my phone and shot off a text to Gia.

ME: I’m so sorry, G. I just couldn’t stand there and take it.

GIA: I have never been prouder. David and I will finish up here. Go home and relax.

ME: I’ll start looking for another job tomorrow.

GIA: Don’t you dare. I need you too much. I will not accept your resignation.

I snorted reading her response.

ME: Resignation? I assumed I was fired.

GIA: Not a chance. We’ll talk tomorrow.

GIA: This was the greatest night ever! I love you.

I smiled through the tears now freely falling down my cheek. But when strong arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me back, I started to scream.

Mate!my raven alerted, and I instantly relaxed.

“It’s just me,” Elias whispered in my ear.

“Sorry. I wasn’t paying attention and didn’t realize you were still here.”

“I’m here. What’s wrong?”

I sighed. “Trust me when I say you don’t even want to know.”

“Are you done with work?”

I laughed. “Yeah, you could say that.”

“Want to get out of here?”

“Yes, please.”

He took my hand and walked me over to his bike. Ensuring I was wearing a helmet properly first, we rode off into the night.

With my arms wrapped around his waist and my head resting on his back, all the fears and worries of the night melted away.

His family would never understand or accept me, but when we were alone, just the two of us, none of that seemed to matter. It was almost like I could forget the pain of hearing I wasn’t even good enough to work at their party.

I sighed, remembering it all as he pulled into his parking spot in the garage beneath his apartment and killed the engine.

“I can’t be here, Elias. I need you to take me home.”

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