Page 101 of Play Pretend

Granted, I didn’t sit in her bakery for hours and watch her.

Gracie headed to the kitchen to get Braydon’s order together. I glanced around the room, remembering that we hadn’t cleaned up after the last group had left. We’d needed an immediate break, and didn’t expect anyone in for another hour or two.

“I need to clear your table,” I told him as I left the safety of the counter. He followed behind me a step too close. I could smell his cologne wafting off him, choking me.

“I’m in no rush,” he said. His breath ghosted along the back of my neck, and I whirled around. He waswaytoo close. “When are you going to let me take you out?”

“I’m not.” I huffed out a humorless laugh. “I’m seeing someone.”

His eye twitched, and something like rage flickered over his face.

“I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.”

“Kind of.”

“What’s that mean? Kind of?” He took a step closer, and I stepped back. A table pressed against my thighs, stopping me. Anger burned in his eyes, but his expression remained neutral.

“It means I’m seeing someone,” I reiterated, my heart suddenly slamming against my ribcage.

His jaw feathered, and I scooted the table back until it hit the wall. He followed me, step for step.

“You canseetwo people,” he said, his voice low. He shifted his body, his hands clenched at his sides. “Let me take you on a date.”

“I—no.”

Tension rippled off him in angry, thick waves. He moved his hand to my waist and dug his fingers in. His touch made my stomach churn, and nausea bubbled up my throat.

“D–don’t touch me,” I rasped, but my voice came out shaky and scared. “Don’t?—”

The bell above the door chimed, and Braydon finally stepped away. I peered around him at who entered and nearly sobbed.

“Is everything okay here?” Ronan asked, his eyes locked on Braydon, a predator noticing prey. I’d never seen Ronan look so serious before—soscary. He held his hand out without a word, but he didn’t need to say anything for me to understand.

I rushed out from behind Braydon and went to Ronan. He stepped in front of me and straightened to his full height. I wasn’t sure exactly how tall he was, but it was well over six-feet, and he towered over Braydon.

“I asked if everything was okay,” Ronan repeated, his voice a low growl.

“Fine,” Braydon clipped out. “This is the guy, then?” He threw his hand accusingly toward Ronan.

I gripped the back of Ronan’s uniform shirt, my hands trembling. “Yes,” I breathed. Ronan rested his hand on his belt, keeping himself between us.

“I think you should go,” he said. Braydon’s eyes narrowed, and I squeezed my eyes shut.

Leave.

Please. Just go.

The kitchen door swung open, and Gracie’s footsteps skidded to a stop. I glanced over my shoulder at her, finding her with a plate in hand and her eyes massive as she looked between the three of us.

“Go to the kitchen with Gracie,” Ronan said firmly. Gracie held her hand out, and I ran for it, grabbing it and hauling her into the room behind me.

We pushed the door open enough to see what was happening, our faces smashed together.

“You should leave.” Ronan stepped toward Braydon, but Braydon surprisingly didn’t budge. Instead, he puffed his chest out and went toe-to-toe with Ronan.

“Oh my god,” Gracie breathed, resting her hand over her mouth. “They can’t fight in here. I thrifted all this stuff. If they break it, I’ll never be able to replace it.”

“What if he pulls a knife or gun?” I blurted, and she slowly turned to look at me. “What?”

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