Page 38 of Stuck With His Mate

“Coming up.”

I pour the drinks and place them on a tray, which I push over to Ella. She gives me the most stunning smile, then hurries back across the restaurant, her smile lighting up the whole room.

Yep. She definitely would have handled that better than me, I think to myself, sighing heavily.

I keep taking orders and mixing drinks until 1am when my shift ends. I didn't see Adrian leave, and I didn't have the time to thank him properly for standing up for me.

I’m not sure how to feel about it; I’m too exhausted to think straight. I walk into the changing room to collect my things before heading out through the back door.

I barely start walking when I hear footsteps approaching. My heart skips a beat, and the first thought that crosses my mind is that the men from earlier must have been lurking somewhere for hours, waiting for the end of my shift.

I increase my pace and hold my handbag tightly across my chest while muttering silent prayers. The footsteps come closer, and I almost take off running when I hear Adrian's voice.

“Hallie?”

I freeze in my tracks, take a deep breath, and then sigh in relief.

“Hallie!” he calls out again, and I slowly turn to face him, a smile tugging at the corner of my mouth.

“Adrian,” I greet. “I thought you’d left.”

“I went out for some fresh air, and when I returned, you were gone. I figured you had finished work, so here I am.”

My heart thumps loudly, prompting me to say the words swimming through my head. “Thank you for earlier. I—”

“That was nothing,” he interrupts, giving me a wide grin. “It’s quite late for you to walk home alone. Do you mind if I give you a ride?”

I hesitate for a split second, then jump on his offer. “I would like that.”

My initial dislike of him still lingers somewhere deep in my gut. I guess this could be a chance to get to know him better while I’m seeing him in a better light. His actions today made me think that maybe I was wrong about him.

I walk with him to where his car is parked, where he holds the door for me. I tell him my address, and he starts the ignition and steps on the accelerator, driving along dark streets only illuminated by dim streetlights and moonlight.

“Um—” Adrian pauses, clearing his throat. “Are you okay?”

“I am.”

It is suddenly quiet again, unsaid words hanging heavy in the air. I decide to break the silence with a confession.

“I hated you back in college, you know?”

He chuckles and casts a quick, kind glance at me before returning his eyes to the road.

“I know. I always wanted to catch your attention, but you blatantly ignored me. Why was that?”

“You were loud, rude, and thought everyone should listen to you.”

He laughs at what I believe to be an accurate description. It throws me off guard. I wonder if I’m missing something, but he speaks before I get the chance to think.

“I was always looking for a chance to speak to you, but you made things so difficult,” he admits.

It’s my turn to chuckle. “It was easier to avoid you than to let you know what I thought of you.”

“And now? You like me now?” he says, grinning.

“We’ll see. You get points for tonight.”

“I’ll take the points.”

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