Page 82 of Protect

“When did this happen?” She moves closer toward me. I take the opportunity to get a glimpse of sweet little Bea all nestled into her mom.

“Teddy.”

“Oh my goodness, Vi, I had no idea you went from ‘I’m working on it’ to‘this is my bed, sir, let me introduce you.’” She giggles and I can’t help but laugh with her. “His truck isn’t in the driveway; you should have told me. You know, since you didn’t forget we were going for a walk.”

I toss her a side eye as I remember him parking on the road in front of the house next door and she snickers.

“Look, I don’t need to know anything, but you two seem to fit together, take it while you can—happiness, I mean.”

I look at her and smile, feeling more comfortable and just needing my friend.

“I’m not really at the place in my life to be taking it while I can. I was married, I have Hollie.”

Teddy makes a face at me and picks up a strawberry from the bowl still on the counter.

“And that didn’t work out, life is about adapting. Trust me. And Troy and Rowan are nothing alike. Do you want my honest opinion?” she asks softly, fixing Bea’s little bonnet.

I finish pretending I care how clean my counters are, ringing out the dish cloth and resting it on the edge of the sink before turning back to face her.

“I don’t know, but I think you’re going to give it to me anyway.”

“Troy was the safest option, and the furthest thing from every man you’ve ever known. I know a thing or two about worry, Violette. But safe doesn’t always mean better, it just meanssafe,” she says, giving me a true look of knowing on her end and mine. A million other things are left unsaid, namely that I ran from this town and the people I loved who risked their lives for this job, and I am trying not to do that again.

“This was just one night, I have no idea what will happen now, don’t get so invested,” I fire back at her, downplaying what Iknowis more than one night.

Before she can say anything more Rowan is coming back down the hall, in his clothes from last night, yet somehow, he’s still devastating, and he’s left his hoodie for me. My heart skips a beat when he doesn’t hesitate for one second, approaching me and tucking a piece of hair behind my ear before kissing me intentionally right on the lips—twice—then backing away slowly taking in the look in my eyes.

Teddy clears her throat and Rowan smirks.

“It’s been fun, ladies. I’m gonna meet my crew then head to the gym.” He turns and begins to move toward the front door, stopping only to grab his keys and wallet from my kitchen island. He gives Teddy’s shoulder a friendly squeeze.

“Good to see you, Teddy, Bea’s adorable. Hey, uh, if you see my sup before I do, say hi,” he says.

“Pretty sure he’s seen enough of me for a while,” Teddy says way too quickly then averts her eyes from his. “But good to see you too, King,” she says back, fussing with Bea.

Rowan toes his shoes on and cracks the front door before turning back. “Oh…and I’ll see you tonight, Vi,” he says with a smug look on his face.

I say nothing. I just nod, because who am I kidding? I want him to come back; in fact, I’ll probably be counting the minutes until he does.

The moment the door closes Teddy is doubled over, her words come in between snorts.

“One night,my ass!”

“So, basically, you’re bullying the poor girl into dating you?” Cal asks, dipping a few fries into ketchup before popping them in his mouth. The lunch crowd at Shifty’s is noisy so there’s no fear of anyone around us hearing these two busting my fuckin’ balls for the last fifteen minutes.

“Come on, that’s not really fair, man,” Sup says, picking up another chicken wing. “He doesn’t have to bully her—he’s milking this injury for all it’s worth. She feelssorryfor him.”

I shake my head and take a bite of my burger. “Fuck you, both” I mumble around my bite.

My phone dings in the middle of the table, I wipe my hands on the napkin and grin down at it when I see it’s my girl.

Vi

Gave Teddy quite a show this morning.

I think you planned it. Trying to show me off.

I’m a person Vi, not just a piece of meat.

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