Page 50 of Only Ever You

I exchange an amused glance with Deacon. “I’m his PA.”

He nods. “Nice.”

“Pippa and I have known each other since we were children.” Deacon tangles his fingers in mine. “She recently came back into my life.”

Jacob shoots me a cocky grin. “And you ended up with this guy? What went wrong?”

I bark out a laugh. “Everything’s worked out just fine.”

“Well, you know, if you ever change your mind … I’m available.”

Deacon’s grip on my waist tightens. “Never going to happen.”

Turning my head, I kiss his cheek. “Settle down.”

“You do have it bad.” Jacob winks at me and chuckles.

“Stop flirting with my girl.” Deacon’s tone turns angry, and I’m not sure I like that.

“I’m sure she doesn’t mind.”

This went from being fun to serious in about two seconds. It’s too much. I pinch Deacon’s arm. “I need to go to the bathroom.”

Deacon squeezes my hand. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

His eyes search mine. “Don’t tell me you’re fine if you’re not.”

I lean in and brush a kiss over his lips. “I really am. I just need a minute.”

He frowns. “Okay. I’ll be waiting.”

Nodding toward Jacob, I smile. “Good to meet you, Jacob.”

I head toward the ladies. As the door closes, the loud sounds of the room behind me are muted, and I pause for a moment before heading into a cubicle.

I just need to catch my breath. This is all such a lot to deal with. I’ve never attended anything like this—the closest thing was my school ball, but this is the big time and a part of Deacon’s life I’ll have to adapt to if we’re together.

The outer door squeaks as it opens, and the sound of heels clacking on the wooden floor tell me there’s more than one person out there.

Taking one more deep breath, I stand and reach for the lock.

“Have you seen that woman hanging off Deacon? What’s up with that?” One woman snickers, and the others laugh.

My throat tightens.

“I swore to myself this was going to be the year I bagged him,” Adeline’s voice echoes through the bathroom. “Instead he’s got her hanging all over him.”

My eyebrows rise. Deacon’s wrapped himself around me to the point of suffocation tonight, and while I love it, it’s been a little weird. And that moment with Jacob?

He’s displaying to the world he’s taken.

I grin. He’s all mine.

My insecurities had flooded to the surface, but he’s constantly showing me what I mean to him. I have to have faith in that. I have to have faith in him.

“I’ll have to get rid of her. He’s so much more my league than hers,” Adeline says.

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