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Before I get a chance to respond, the man has wandered off and buried his face in some woman’s breasts.

“What’s your problem?” Leon leans against the bar, ordering another drink as he stares toward me. His eyes are heavy, and his words are slurred. “You’ve been over here sulking all night.”

More like fantasizing all night, but if that looks like sulking to him, okay. “Maybe it’s because I’m tired of babysitting.”

He rolls his eyes. “There’s a bedroom downstairs you can lock yourself in. I’m sure you’ve got a book in your phone or something.”

The fact that his suggestion was for me to disappear rather than comfort me is right on point with how this entire relationship has been from the start. We’re both here out ofobligation, I know that, but I guess I thought we’d at least find friendship.

There’s no way that’ll happen with Leon. I can’t count how many times he’s already cheated on me, and not once did he act like he gave a damn about it.

“Yeah,” I tilt my head to the side and drag in a breath of woodsy lake air, “I think I’m gonna call it a night.”

“Babe, don’t go. Come on. If my mom hears I let you leave alone, I’ll never hear the end of it.”

There really is nothing attractive about a thirty-year-old man being so stuck under his mother’s thumb, though I guess someone could say the same for me.

I shrug. “It’s eleven thirty. I have to be up at eight for the wedding and it’s still a thirty-minute drive back to the house. I’m tired and I’m going home.”

He grips my arm and tugs me into his orbit with aggression.This is a first.

I tear my arm away. “I’m going home. You should stay somewhere else tonight.”

He huffs under his breath, spreading the sickening smell of bourbon and whiskey. “You’re such a bitch. Please tell me you’re not going to be like this our entire life.”

“She’s a bitch?” a deep voice rumbles behind me, and my heart stops. “You touch her again and I’ll cut your fuckin’ hands off.”

I glance back to see Sawyer standing tall and wide behind me.

Oh God.

He’s here. He’s like… right there. He’s there like a fairytale, right there. Like a knight in shining armor, right there. Like a guy who’s gonna save me from everything, right there. Like a clit throbbing, panty-drenching savior, right there.

“What are you doing here?” I pant, trying to catch my breath. “This is a private party.”

Leon laughs and nearly tips over. “I remember you. You’re the big idiot from the tattoo shop. What the hell are you doing here?”

Sawyer doesn’t answer. His arms cross over one another, he breathes low in his throat, and I swear I hear a growl. “Why don’t you go back to your party. I’ll take the girl home.”

My heart races quickly as I try to process everything that’s happening. Maybe Sawyer isn’t actually here. Maybe that drunk guy knocked me into the water, and this is all some kind of fantasy I’m having due to lack of oxygen. I think I remember hearing about this phenomenon once in some documentary with a kayaker who flipped under a waterfall. The guy was unconscious for like three minutes and he imagined an alternate life so real that when he came back to reality, he had to live the fantasy life for real.

Leon’s eyes follow a pair of tits half hanging from a bikini. “Whatever. Just don’t be late for the wedding tomorrow, and if my mom asks, I’m telling her you were here all night.” He grabs his drink off the counter and stumbles back into the party.

I’m not hurt. I don’t care about Leon enough to give a damn what he does with other women, but I’m sad at the thought of the rest of our lives being this difficult. I mean, why can’t he do it quietly like other shitty men?

Sawyer’s dark brown gaze warms me. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I drag in a heavy breath, “I’m embarrassed. My feet are killing me from these stupid heels, and,” I stare down at my dress, “I’m covered in liquor.”

“Okay.” He leans in and lifts me off my feet, holding me against his chest as though he’s the hero in some action movie. “Well, let’s get you changed.”

Maybe I should fight his touch. I’ll be married tomorrow, and I don’t want to be a sleaze like Leon. Then again, nothing is happening. I’m just a tired girl, covered in liquor, being carried by a giant man to a parking lot. That’s perfectly normal,right?

I lean against the warmth of his chest and close my eyes, remembering the way his heart beats hard and steadily. Remembering the way it felt to be close to him. Remembering the rush of pine and cedar I always get when I’m breathing him in.

Safe.I feel so damn safe. Like no matter what happens, this man will take care of me.

Immediately, I lean up and wiggle down to the floor.

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