Page 33 of Safe With Me

“Whatever they told you, they exaggerated,” Keith said, patting the top of my hand. “I meant to come by Russo’s to meet you, but summer has us a little nuts at the station. The heatbrings out the crazy in town. But welcome to Kelly Lakes, even though you already live here.”

I laughed as Mike shook his head.

Keith glanced at Mike. “I came in for some air conditioning before I have to go back out in the heat. Have a good time for me.”

He smiled before he headed for the door.

“So that was Chief McGrath,” I whispered to Mike. “I was starting to think he was just a legend.”

“Oh, he is,” Mike said. “It’s weird that he’s my boss—or one of them anyway—when I grew up with him and his family. He’s a great man and an awesome chief.”

“I’ve heard,” I said, watching as he stopped to talk with a cluster of people by the door. “I could see how that must be weird.”

“It is, but I’ve gotten used to it. He’s just the chief when I’m in uniform, and I’m just one of his officers.” Mike’s grin was wistful as he watched Keith leave.

We found one table with two chairs in the corner, the rest of the crowd lining the back where the band was setting up.

“Stay here. I’ll get us a drink, so we don’t lose the table.”

“Okay, another margarita would be great.”

“Sure thing,” he said with a low rasp I felt in my toes.

I had a lot to unpack once I got home tonight. I wanted to keep seeing Mike, but this attraction or whatever we had between us would only get worse if we spent more time together. I couldn’t see him all the time, but I didn’t know how to tell him no the next time he asked. Especially when I didn’t want to.

I fell back in the seat and let go of a long exhale. Tomorrow Lila would worry about that. This one would enjoy the moment and the rest of the evening.

“Come in to beat the heat?” Jared asked before he sat in the vacant seat across from me.

“Mike is just getting our drinks.”

“He can bring over another chair,” he said, crossing his ankle over his knee as he flicked his eyes up and down my body.

Mike was right. Jared was a forward jerk who didn’t have manners or any of the game he obviously thought he did.

“So what’s your story?”

“My story?” I asked, squinting at Jared’s slimy smile.

“You’re new in town. I’m guessing Russo took you around tonight since you work for his father.”

“Mike took me around because we’re friends.”

“Ah, friends, huh?” He scooted closer to the table. “You’re single, then. I can take you around town. There are more interesting places to see, better than anything he could show you.”

Was this guy for real? If he’d come up to Ally and me in a bar back in Philly, the both of us would have laughed in his face and told him to fuck off. But eyes were on me, and I didn’t want to call any kind of attention to myself.

“Thanks for the offer, but I’m not interested.”

“Oh, come on. Give me a chance.”

“Again, thanks for the offer, but no.” I pushed off the seat, scanning the bar to find Mike and make an escape. “Have a good night.”

He grabbed my wrist when I stood. My arm went stiff at the contact.

“Don’t rush off so fast.”

“I said, I’m not interested,” I emphasized with enough force to make Jared flinch back.

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