Page 40 of The Bridges I've Burned

No, not want.

Need.

“This used to be a pizza place when I was a kid,” I commented as we walked up to the restaurant named Portofino.

I grabbed the door, and as she stepped in, my hand slid to her back as I followed her in. I didn’t even realize I’d done it at first, but the moment I felt the heat of her skin burning through the thin fabric of her dress, I pulled away.

My hand fisted at my side like it was angry with me for forcing it away from her.

First my friends, and now, my own body was betraying me?

I let out a slow, measured breath.

If I could just get through tonight, then all this would be over. No more Ocracoke, no more family drama.

No more Elena…

My heart galloped a little at the thought, and I immediately shoved it aside, choosing to take a look around instead. The venue was small and intimate. With brick interior and low lighting, it came off as upscale and romantic. We were mostly on time, so a healthy number of people had already arrived. The restaurant was closed for the event. Macon’s best friend and his husband were the owners, and he’d said tonight was their wedding gift to the couple.

Pretty damn nice gift…

“Do you want to check your coat?” Elena asked, bringing my attention back to her and all those lush curves. There was a tentative note in her voice.

“There’s a coat check? In the summer?”

A tiny grin tugged at the corner of her bright red lips. “I suggested it. I’ve been to tons of events, and no one ever thinks to offer a coat check when it’s warm, and if the venue is small like this, well, let’s just say, everyone benefits when there’s a place for the men to stash those suit jackets.” She held her palm up. “And before you say, ‘Why don’t you just drape it over the back of your seat?’ let me just tell you that no one wants pictures with a room full of jackets.”

She had a point.

I chuckled at the way her face grimaced. “Not even sure why people wear them in the summer in the first place.”

Her gaze slipped down my chest. “Says the man in the leather jacket.”

My hands smoothed over the supple leather. “This is my safety blanket. It knows no seasons.”

She shook her head, clearly enjoying the easy way in which we’d slipped back into this lively banter we had going. “A man with a safety blanket. Now, if that’s not a red flag, I don’t know what is.”

“Yeah, but it’s a manly safety blanket ’cause it makes me look hot. So…” I shrugged, causing her to laugh, but I didn’t miss the way her eyes lingered.

Take your fill, Elena.

“So, will you be able to part with it? Do I need to hold your hand or…” she teased as she showed me the way to the coat check.

A young girl, probably in her mid-teens, was already busy taking tweed blazers and suit jackets in various shades. Elena shot me a triumphant grin.

It was a brilliant idea. No one wanted a room full of sweaty dudes.

It only took a minute to get up to the front, and the poor girl nearly dropped the whole roll of tickets on the floor when she looked up at me. Her eyes widened, and that was when I spotted it—the black bracelet around her wrist.

A Manic Fanatic—their term. Not mine. Basically a diehard fan, usually of the teen variety. Although Asher had told me some wild stories involving some meet and greets and stay-at-home moms.

“Are you…” she stumbled on her words before she could out my stage name to Elena.

I shrugged my coat off and shoved it into her arms, giving her one of my most panty-melting smiles. “Could you make sure to give this one extra attention, darling?” I normally avoided my North Carolina twang like the plague, but right now, I’d do anything to keep this girl quiet.

And that included making a teenage girl blush.

“Yes!” she nearly squeaked. She pulled the coat to her chest, and I tried to ignore the way she breathed in the smell of the leather. She glanced up at us when she realized what she’d just done. Her face went cherry-apple red. “Here’s your ticket!” she said, ripping one off the large roll and handing it to me.

---