Page 71 of Untraced Magic
Tyler lifted his chin in his direction. “Reid,” he said, before turning his attention to me. “Hey.” His lip quirked up into a grin.
“Hey.” I smiled at him, feeling the warmth of his presence in every part of me. “Fending off the groupies, I see,” I teased, nodding toward a group of girls sitting in the bar that watched his every move.
He chuckled. “Something like that. Never was a fan of the young ones.”
He gave me a knowing look that warmed my insides. The good parts.
Reid leaned against the bar beside me. “I was just saying that you could help teach Morgan some self-defense moves.”
Tyler’s brows lifted, his eyes shifting to mine.
Reid coughed. “Being her neighbor and all.”
I grabbed the edge of the bar with a scowl at how obvious he was being.
He lifted his hands in the air. “Just trying to help.” He smirked.
Tyler casually leaned an arm on the bar, the roped veins in his hand flexing at the movement. “Yeah, of course. That’s a great idea.”
“Really, you don’t need to,” I insisted.
I was sure I saw a flicker of amusement behind those stormy grays, no doubt thinking about what positions that would get us into. “Guys, this is too much,” I argued, my mind a disorder of thoughts and feelings.
Betty’s words rang loud in my ears, her warning grating my nerves.
Right now, I wanted to snuggle up with Tyler and pretend this wasn’t happening, but it seemed reality would not allow me to justbe. Not time, not Betty, and certainly not these two, currently hell bent on convincing me to throw punches at Tyler’s limbs.
Tyler lowered his voice, so the conversation stayed between the three of us. “No, it’s not. If your gift is as rare as Betty says it is, you never know who or what for that matter may be after it.”
I let out a long sigh. “Okay, okay,” I gave in, pointing at Tyler. “MaybeI might let you show me some stuff.”
Tyler nodded “Tomorrow it is then.”
Reid’s arm landed on my shoulder. “I’m going to take my break. I’ll be out the back if you need me.” With that, he disappeared through the kitchen doors, leaving us alone.
Tyler adjusted his jacket. “So, what time do you finish up tonight? I’ll walk you home.”
I couldn’t help but think he came hereonlyfor that reason. Hiding my smile, my heart lurched at the thought.
“Oh, will you now?” I teased, wondering if this was something he did on the regular.
His tone hardened further. “I’m not letting you walk home on your own.”
I leaned forward, as if to whisper to him. “Do you always walk the bar staff home at the end of the night?” I bantered, flashing him a coy smile.
Tyler smirked. “Never. Maybe I might need to make this a new thing,” he lifted a brow, raising his glass to his mouth and emptying his drink. “In all seriousness though, it’s not safe for anyone to be alone out there.”
I tipped my head to the side in pointed agreement. “You could be a serial killer for all I know,” I said, toying with him.
“Trust me when I say I’m the least of your problems out there.”
I sighed at his seriousness, taking the empty glass from him. “I have an hour left. Can I get you another drink while you wait?”
“Thanks, just another beer will do,” he said with a guarded smile.
Tyler straightened, scanning the room, jaw twitching. He seemed nervous, on edge even.
I arched a brow as I filled his glass. “Is everything okay?”
