Page 48 of Protector

“You know damn well, what. You know, I was hoping for once I didn’t have to drag the goods from your pretty little mouth.”

I let out an exaggerated sigh. “What’s to tell? Girl likes boy. Girl makes fool out of herself. Boy makes earth-shattering love to girl.” I shrug as Cal’s face shows he’s hanging on every word.

“And…”

“Well, did you see him give me a goodbye kiss?”

Cal shakes his head, his face solemn. He reaches over and squeezes my hand. “Sorry, babe.”

“Me too.”

“Well, at least you’re not in love with him, right?”

No answer comes to mind because I’m honestly not sure at this point. I only know that something inside hurts at the thought of not being with him.

“Please tell me you’re not in love with him, Shay?”

I close my eyes, the pain I just acknowledged attempting to take hold of me. “Let’s talk about something else.” I lift my head up and grab my margarita from the table resting between our chairs. “What about Gregor? I thought you two were getting so close.”

And just like my Cal, he provides me all the distraction I need. “Gregor is a coward and a thief all rolled into one.” I look at him, and he leans forward as if he’s telling me something ultra-private. “I’ve been too ashamed to tell you, but he stole from me.”

“What? Are you serious? What did he take?”

“It makes no sense. We had a great night, and the next morning, he was gone—and so were my Louboutins. For Christ’s sake, I’d worn them that very night.”

I can’t help but giggle. “Maybe he had a foot fetish you didn’t know about.”

“Maybe.” He shrugs, then sips his drink and leans back in his chair. “But I also had an unopened bottle of Cristal in my fridge that was missing too.”

“Wow, Cal. I’m sorry.”

“Whatever. I’ll get my Shay fix and be good as new.” He reaches over with his glass, and I grab mine before clinking it against his.

“Same here.” I give him an air kiss. “Thanks, Callahan.”

Just as I lean back and close my eyes, a shadow crosses over me, and I pop them open again. A server is leaning down, setting two new margaritas on the table, her long blond hair brushing the top of my thigh.

“Cal…” I shoot him a look, and his mouth falls open.

“I didn’t order them.”

“Oh.” I wait for the server to stand, and when her gaze meets mine, I say, “I’m sorry, but we didn’t order these.” Cal had already agreed we’d head back sooner than planned, so I’m glad to know he wasn’t planning on drinking too much.

“I know, sugar. The nice man at the bar did.”

Though it wouldn’t be the first time a man sent drinks my way, it seems a little odd because it usually happens when I’m with the girls or at least not with just a man. I push up farther in my chair, scanning the bar area, which is barely half full. “Where? Can you point to which man?”

As she turns and looks over her shoulder, Cal and I exchange a guarded look.

“Well, he was there a minute ago.” She turns back and lifts one shoulder. “No worries. He already paid.”

“What did he look like?” Cal says, reading my mind.

“Sorry, I didn’t pay much attention. Light-colored hair. A bit stalky, I think. Young, like you guys. The bar’s not my area, but he flagged me. Probably saw I was serving you.” She tilts her head to the side. “Come to think of it, you look familiar. You famous?”

“No,” I say, shaking my head. If she doesn’t know, I’d rather not give her my resume.

“You two enjoy and let me know if you need anything else.”

---