Page 92 of Protecting Hailey

Will pursed his lips, thinking about the question, but it was Christian who answered. “The boys were all from the east coast, except for me. I wasn’t from anywhere, really. So, I would have been fine to move wherever. But New York was central for everyone.” He took another sip of his drink. “We had become as close as brothers. None of us wanted to separate. We thought for a little while at least, we’d get homes close to each other and eventually move away. But years later, here we are.”

His father mumbled something under his breath, but I didn’t hear it. However, Christian’s back straightened.

I placed my hand on Christian’s thigh and he put his hand over mine and squeezed. Looking into his eyes, he smiled and sucked on his bottom lip for only a second, but it made my stomach dip. There was a vulnerability in his eyes right now. A look I’d never seen. As though he were trying to communicate something. While he didn’t say a word, I knew my simple gesture had put him at ease and he thanked me for it.

He'd saved my life and loved me so freely. I would do anything for this man.

“Be careful,” the server said, placing my dish in front of me. “The plate is very hot.”

She set a plate with a ball of mashed plantains and vegetables in the middle and a light red sauce all around it.

“Bon appétit,” said Jager, and everyone dug into their food.

Picking up my fork, I inhaled deeply. The sauce smelled a bit spicy but when I took the first bite, it wasn’t too spicy at all, just the perfect amount of flavor. “Mmm… This is really good.”

Christian smiled. “You like it?”

I took another bite. Chewing slowly, I closed my eyes. Then I licked my lips. “I love it.”

Christian kissed me quickly and chuckled. “I’m so glad you like it. It’s one of my favorite dishes, too.”

I caught Jake’s face as Christian pulled away to eat his dinner. He didn’t try to hide his smile this time, openly grinning at his friend.

We all ate and talked, the guys cut each other up a few times, and even Christian’s dad made a few jokes. The evening had turned out a lot better than when it had started.

“Christian, let’s head outside and have a cigar,” his father said after the server took our dessert plates away. Christian shook his head, and I knew he was about to say no when I squeezed his thigh again. “I think that’s a great idea. You should spend a little time with your dad before he leaves tomorrow.”

Christian looked at me, and I nodded with a smile. “I’ll be all right.”

His father led the way out the front door and I watched Christian’s back retreat away from me. Still staring at the front door long after they left, Jake interrupted my thoughts.

“He really is in love with you,” he said.

I blinked, unsure if I’d heard him correctly. “Excuse me?”

Jake smiled. “Christian. He’s madly in love with you.”

I wasn’t going to deny it. “I’m madly in love with him, too.”

Jake nodded. “I know. I can tell. I’m happy for you both.”

“Thank you.”

I sipped my coffee as Christian’s father’s earlier comments replayed in my head. “Does his father not like me, you think? I don’t mean for that to sound needy. I just don’t want there to be any tension with his father over me.”

“Don’t take it personally. It’s just that his father is used to getting his way, especially when it comes to his family.”

I shook my head. “What do you mean by ‘his way’?”

Jager cleared his throat and kicked Jake under the table. Jake glared at him. “What? She has a right to know.”

Jager shook his head, but Jake continued. “His father doesn’t want Jake to move to L.A. He’s expressed his displeasure quite clearly.”

“Oh.”

“Now, you’ve made her feel bad,” Jager said. “Are you happy?”

Jake turned to me. “I didn’t tell you this to make you feel bad. Christian’s a grown man. He makes decisions based on his own wants and needs. You have nothing to worry about.”

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