Page 16 of The Heir

“Hello,” he said quickly to everyone at the table before returning his gaze back to me. Shad gave me a wink, and I just about became a puddle.

“Hello there, hot stuff. I would be happy to sing your song sometime,” Ash added playfully to her introduction.

I laughed. Ash was very bold, unique, funny, and there was just something else about her that I liked. I looked to Shad who held her within his gaze, quizzically, for a few moments; then he nodded at her sideways as he turned to look back at me.

I cleared my throat again:ugh.

“Shad and I have math together,” I explained to Ryker and Ash, trying to keep the conversation flowing.

“You do?” Ryker asked.

“Yeah, I also have it with Karen, too; remember?” I pressed Ryker.

“Karen, yes. That is her name. Karen is very interesting. She doesn’t really takenofor an answer, does she?” Shad spoke softly near my ear, bending down to me.

“It would seem you have that in common with her, then,” Ryker responded with a scowl darkening his face.

What is that about?

“You know, I am so sorry to inform you of this, Shad,” I said, attempting to keep the conversation light. “But she has her sights set on you, and once she has her eyes set on her prey, you better bet she doesn’t give up until she catches it;itbeingyou.” I smiled and took a drink of my water.

“It’s true, dude. She really is a piece of work,” Sam said with a confirming chuckle.

“Well, I am not interested.” He stood to his full height. I looked up at him. His eyes were still set on mine.

“Well, she will hate that,” I responded with a smile. Why on earth was he looking at me like that? And why on earth was I not frightened?

Shouldn’t I be afraid?

I looked at Ryker, and he was looking at me again, strangely, and I wanted to ask him what was wrong, desiring to take the worry from his face.

“So, Shad—” Ash began.

I looked at Ash as she leaned her elbows on the table.

“Yes.”

“Emma and I are having a little party tomorrow after school at her house, a pool party—” She didn’t get to finish because she was cut off by Ryker.

“He is busy; he has lots of other things to do, don’t you, Shad? Your family business cannot run itself, now, can it?” Ryker asked.

“No, not busy at all. If you remember, Ryker, I have more time off as of late because my biggest project finally saw results—despite others’ unwanted involvement. I will be there after work.” He nodded to Ash, and I tried to not let it irritate me.

Maybe, having a friend who’s a girl isn’t such a good idea.

Maybe she would steal Shad away from me.

Emma, he isn’t even yours—so stop.

Shad looked at me then, and smiled. “Well, it is nice talking with you, Emma, as always, and nice to meet you, Sam and Ash.” Shad touched my shoulder, energy pulsed through me, and I loved the feeling. I wanted to cry with pure joy at his touch, beg him to never let me go.

I leaned into him just a little as Ryker moved Shad’s hand away from me. How he had reached me from across the table seemed to be too quick to even be possible, yet there he was.

“I think you should go now,” Ryker said firmly, standing between us. I rolled my eyes in annoyance at Ryker, ever my protector. They were standing mere inches apart: Shad with a smirk on his face, and Ryker with a scowl.

“Ryker, are you okay, dude?” Sam asked, looking back and forth between the two guys.

“Yes, it's fine,” he replied without taking his gaze from Shad.

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