Page 99 of The Wingman

Hayden and I look at each other, and his expression softens. I give him a reassuring smile to show him I’m fine, that I’m lookingforward to it.

“I love weddings.” Georgia wears a wistful expression. “I can’t wait for theirs.”

“I’ll bet.” Alexei sips his drink. “A hockey player and a famous singer? It’ll be like a rich guy meat market for you. You’ll finally catch one of your own.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll never get married.” She sends him a knowing smirk, like she knows his secrets. “Be nice to me, Russian, or I won’t help you up when you throw your hip out on the dance floor.”

“I’m not going. I don’t do weddings. And you’re the one who resigned from being my doctor.”

“Unlike some doctors, I don’t have a God complex. I know when my patient is a lost cause.”

“Maybe you’re not a very good doctor, because I feel stronger than ever.”

Her gaze hardens. “Retire.”

“No.”

Georgia’s hand flinches on the table, like she’s about to reach for her knife.

The server comes by to clear plates, and the weird energy at the table dissolves. I glance at Hayden—his jaw is tight, his shoulders look tense, and his attention shifts between Alexei and me.

“Are you okay?” I whisper. My gaze catches on the dark circles under his eyes, and there’s a pang of sympathy in my chest. “It’s okay if you want to go home early.”

“I’m not leaving.” He glares at Alexei, who smirks.

“I’ll make sure she gets home okay,” he tells Hayden. “Eventually.”

“I’m your wingman,” Hayden says, focus still on Alexei. “And I’m not letting you out of my sight.”

Something plucks in my chest. He’s using the same tone ofvoice he used the other night.A little longer, he said, eyes on me while I rode out the pleasure.As long as you can take it.

“Darcy,” Alexei interrupts, leaning in, studying me. “You have something in your hair.”

I bring a hand to my hair and brush through it, but Alexei catches my wrist, gentle but firm.

“I’ll get it,” he says.

Hayden sucks in a sharp breath.

While Alexei picks out whatever’s stuck in my hair, Hayden glares at him, knee bouncing and jaw tight.

“Huh.” Alexei frowns. “I thought I saw a piece of the flowers from earlier. You know, the ones I got you.”

“Oh.” I blink. “Okay.”

“I guess I was wrong.” Alexei smiles at me.

In an explosive flash, Hayden’s on his feet, grabbing my hand. I open my mouth to ask what he’s doing, but he’s already pulling me to my feet. He whips out his wallet and drops a couple of bills on the table before hauling me out of Alexei’s proximity.

Alexei just smiles after us.

“Date’s over,” Hayden bites out. “We’re going home.”

CHAPTER 47

DARCY

Outside,Hayden’s still holding my hand as he opens the door of a waiting taxi and gestures for me to get in, wearing a thunderous expression. He rattles off our address to the driver while reaching across me to do my seat belt up.

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