Page 38 of Always Been Yours

“I’m going to go get another drink. Would anyone like anything?” Vivi asks the table.

Everyone shakes their heads, Lexi looking between the two of us. Vivi heads to the bar, and everyone returns to their previous conversations.

I try not to watch her, but it feels impossible. Like I’m a moth and she’s the bug-zapping lantern hanging out front. I can see everything going on around me, the signs tostay awaybut I can’t stop myself from wanting to fly right toward her.

A man puts his hand on the small of her back and it immediately pulls me out of my wandering thoughts. My eyes are focused on that hand, gripping just a little bit tighter when she flinches away. As I pull my eyes up to his face, my blood boils.

I look around the table, but everyone seems preoccupied by their conversations. Too distracted to notice that Harper’s slipped up to Vivi.

And while I’msurethat Genevieve is someone that can handle herself, Knox didn’t give me the impression that Harper was the type of man to takenoas a suitable answer.

I look back at the bar, debating if I should go over when I feel a light kick to my shin. Across from me, Lexi catches my gaze and tips her chin toward the bar, toward Vivi who’s still trying to pull back from Harper.

Without giving it another thought, I stand up as casually as possible and walk toward the bar. I can’t hear what he’s saying but he leans toward her, one hand on the stool behind her keeping her trapped. The annoyance portrayed on her face quickly turns to anger.

If there’s one thing that Viviloathes,it’s being backed into a corner—mentally, emotionally, or physically. It doesn’t matter.

Once I reach the bar, I place my hand on the counter in between their bodies, my own turned toward her. “I changed my mind about wanting a drink.”

I could have slipped my arm around her shoulder, but she isn’t mine to claim.

Not yet,that pesky voice insists.

Vivi’s head tilts back, making eye contact with me.

Harper’s arm slips off the stool to avoid bumping into me. He clears his throat, breaking our connection.

“I was just offering to buy her a drink,” he states in a matter-of-fact tone.

My eyes drop back down to Vivi and hers flash up to mine.

At this moment, it almost feels like no time has passed. I can read all the thoughts floating through her pretty little head.

We both hold neutral expressions, but I can see in her eyes that she’s screaming,I don’t wantanythingfrom him.I try to make her understand what I’m trying to say back, without moving my face a centimeter:I’ll handle this.

When she looks around me to a very disgruntled Harper, I take that as her reading my mind.

This time, I place my hand on the counter behind Vivi. I make sure not to touch her, but the intent is there. “That was nice of you, but I’m here now.” I pull out my wallet and flag the bartender over. “I’ll take another IPA. And Genevieve?”

I look down at Vivi to finish her order. “A blood orange margarita on the rocks. Oh, with salt! Thanks.”That was the reddish color I couldn’t place.Turning to me, she says shyly, “Thanks for the drink.”

I smile down at her and bring my arm a little closer in. Glancing over my shoulder, I nod at Harper. “I got you, man. What are you drinking?” It’s a lazy move to turn the power scale back in my favorbut it hits his ego all the same.

“Nah, I think I might head to Yellow Cab actually.” That’s the New York City themed bar around the block.

“Have a good night then.” I step around Vivi, successfully blocking her off from Harper while we wait for our drinks.

Chapter Thirteen

Vivi

If Harper walks away, I don’t notice. The entire world could be burning down, and I wouldn’t notice anything except Grady’s gaze searing me. I hate to admit how hot his little masculine display was butholy fuck,it was sexy. I’ve never been attracted to the possessive caveman thing until right now.

Anytime Brody tried it, it was grating. Not anything likethis.

I can faintly hear someone talking behind me, but I don’t process theexcuse meuntil she’s sliding onto the stool directly behind me. I tip forward into Grady, but he catches me with a light hand on my elbow.

“That was my first real conversation with him, and I think I hate him.” Grady’s confession surprises me, making me laugh in response.

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