Page 3 of Guarding Her Heart
Her eyes light up with interest. “That sounds amazing. What’s the place going to be called?”
“Hooplas,” I say, smiling at the thought of it. “It’s going to be the best spot on the coast, I can guarantee that.”
“I’ll have to check it out when it opens,” she says, her tone warm. “What makes you guys call it Hooplas?”
“When we were kids, we told Reid’s dad about our idea and he said that it was just a bunch of hoopla,” I say, my smile widening. “So, the name stuck.”
Jenny rolls her eyes playfully. “That’s a great story. I love it.”
Before I can say anything, a shadow falls over the table, and I look up to see a man in a cheap suit with his tie loosened standing there, his expression dark and instantly my instincts tell me to watch him.
“Jenny,” he says, his voice cold as he places his hand on her upper arm to pull her out of her seat. “We need to go.”
The tension in Jenny’s body returns in an instant, and she straightens in her chair, all traces of the easy conversation we were just having gone. She doesn’t respond to the man, just looks at him with a mix of defiance and resignation.
“I think you should leave,” I say, my tone more forceful than I intended, the SEAL coming out of me. I don’t know who this guy is, but I don’t like the way he’s looking or touching her, like she’s something he owns.
“This doesn’t concern you,” the man snaps, his eyes narrowing at me. But I don’t back down.
“Maybe not, but I’m making it my concern,” I say, standing up slowly. I’m taller than him by a couple of inches, and I can see him sizing me up, trying to decide if I’m a threat.
“Ethan, it’s okay,” Jenny says, her voice calm but strained. “This is just… something I need to deal with.”
Her words are meant to diffuse the situation, but they only make me more determined. There’s no way I’m letting her go with this guy, not when she clearly doesn’t want to.
“Look, I don’t know who you are,” I say, keeping my voice steady and low, “but it seems like Jenny’s made up her mind. So why don’t you just walk away before this gets ugly?”
The man’s jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think he’s going to try and take a swing at me. But then he steps back and lets her arm go, his lips curling into a sneer. “This isn’t over, Jenny. You know that.”
With that, he turns and walks away, leaving a trail of tension in his wake. I watch him go, my fists still tightened like a predator ready to strike, coiled at my sides, but I don’t relax until he’s out of sight.
“Are you okay?” I ask, turning back to Jenny.
She exhales slowly, her shoulders slumping as the tension drains out of her. “Yeah. Thanks for that.”
“Who was that guy?” I ask.
She looks defeated, “My ex-husband, Richard. He’s having trouble… moving on.”
“Do you want to talk about it?” I sit back down in my seat.
Jenny shakes her head, a rueful smile on her lips. “Not really. But I appreciate you stepping in.”
There’s a silence between us, heavy with unspoken words. I can tell she’s holding back. Part of me wants to push, to find out what’s going on, but I know better than to pry. We’ve only just met.
“Well, if you ever change your mind, here’s my number,” I say, grabbing her phone off the table and sending a text from her phone to mine while trying to keep the mood light. “I’m always available.”
She gives me a grateful smile, and for a moment, the tension eases. “I’ll keep that in mind.” Jenny stands up and collects her things. “I should get going.”
“Okay.” As I stand up, I can’t help but feel like there’s something unfinished between us. Something that’s just beginning. I glance back at my friends, who are watching from the bar with curious expressions, and I give them a small wave to show I’m fine. They go back to their conversation, but I know they’ll ask me about Jenny later.
“It was nice to meet you, Ethan. Good luck with Hooplas.”
“It was nice to meet you, too, Jenny. Can I walk you out? You know, in case that guy is still out there?”
She shakes her head, “No. I’m fine, really. Thank you, though, for offering.”
“Are you sure? I don’t mind.” I offer again hoping she’ll take me up on it, but she holds her hand out.
